History of Pumas RUFC

 Gau Pumas were founded in October 2003 by Law Student Mustafa Riza. Mustafa had played rugby in the UK for Redruth before returning to the TRNC for his studies in Local Law. Seven of his friends were encouraged to join him and at first he was assisted in coaching by Derek Dowey a lecturer at the GAU.

December 2003 Peter Heydon was invited to assist in coaching the squad.

    (Puma's coach, Peter Heydon supervising training at the Alsancak stadium October 2007) 

In the second season 2004/05 the squad gave a demonstration game at Girne’s 20 Temmuz Stadyumu to promote the game. In this season other ex-pats joined the coaching staff.

These were Richard Bradley, Keith Alexander, Eddie Smith and Peter Oliver. 

Third season 2005/06 saw the club finally take part in genuine fixtures against UN side The Stormers (Royal Artillery) and The Stags, another services side from across the border.  The season was finally finished off with a fixture against UK touring side Sidcup RUFC Kent who came on invitation from the club.  In this season Barry Lambert joined the coaching staff. In December 2005 the Puma's moved to Alsancak Stadium from the University Campus.

 
  Fourth season 2006/07 saw a further 4 fixtures involving Inter University Match against METU, The Ottomans from Istanbul on 2 occasions and finishing off the season playing UN side The Scorpions (Royal Transport Reg).

Pumas 2007 - 2008 season

We now have members of the Ex-Pat community joining training sessions with the Pumas offering valuable help not only with the coaching but also the marketing and promotion of Rugby in Northern Cyprus.