Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima (Argentina)

In May 1985 Colegio San José kids' parents invited Gimnasia y Esgrima to play a match. Nobody would have imagined that 23 years later, one of those teams would be celebrating its birthday. That was the starting point of the present Veteranos mensanas.

The trainers and coordinators of that time were Mario Aletti and
Marcelo Lotito. There also were captains like Emilio Chedrese "el turco bueno", Alejandro Mantero, Gabriel Weinstein, Ricardo Genoud, Jorge Cabanillas, Jorge
Galimberti and Fernandez Roberto, who is the captain at this moment.

During these 23 years a lot of player were giving up and joining the Veteranos mensanas. And now there are more than 40 players that integrate the team. They play all weekends, and on Thursdays they "TRAIN" in the restaurant of the club, whether in winter or summer.

Veteranos "mensanas" history is full of international shocks. They received in 1987 a New Zeland airline's representative, in 1993 the Ireland police's team, in 1997 a South African airline's player and in 2006 Vascos de Arrasate. And the list doesn't end.

Veteranos mensanas also have made three tours to Chile, one to Uruguay and another one to Brazil. In 1994 they traveled around the Bahamas and the United States. Three years later, they flew to Europe: they played in Spain, France and Italy. In Argentina, they had played in Tucumán, Misiones, Entre Ríos, Corrientes and in the Universitario La Plata's tournament. They were champion from 1997 to 2000 because of their artistic and creative performances: the musical comedy
"Chiquititas", a "Lake of the Gansos" version, an Esther Williams' film remake (Ariel "la Tota" Cuccorense and Jorge "el negro" Cabanillas where its author).

Every year Encuentro Amistad Julio Sonyera is organized. A lot of teams are always invited, and they enjoy a day full of Rugby, that happily ends in a "third time" with supper and dances until sunrise.

This year, Palermo's guys organized Torneo Luis Darritchon, and, what's more, they still playing with friends every weekend.

They have already played with La Salle, Extra Brut, La Vaca Mercenaria, CUQ, All Virgins, San Miguel,A. Deportiva Francesa, C.Champagnat, Regatas, Chamigos (Litoral), OlivosRC, Belgrano RC (San Rafael, Mendoza) and JurasicCar(Club Argentino de Rugby Veterans) in 2004 they formed Agrupación Invitación 70 Buenos Aires with Gimnasia y Esgrima.

Every June 30th we celebrate our birthday, we invite friend's teams and have a funny third time.

The Club Gimnasia y Esgrima is now 128 years old. We have been playing Rugby 100 years. Veteranos mensanas are now celebrating their 23rd birthday.

 

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