We have been following our “cousin” tournament Snow Rugby Tarvisio which is played in the mountains of Italy for a while. We share common values and mission, seeing both snow and beach versions of Rugby as a great way to make people happy and promote the positiviness so much in need in our world!
We catch up with Cesar Zambelli an expert on both codes and deeply involved with the SRT organization looking for a deep insight on what Snow Rugby in general and SRT in particular are all about !
1. How did Snow Rugby Tarvisio start and what´s the event all about ?
The first edition of SRT dates back to 2013 as a spin-off of the “brother” beach rugby, which this year sees both versions of rugby with the same rules. In fact, Alberto Stentardo – the indigenous founder – drew inspiration by watching beach rugby matches in Lignano to bring the same game to the snow and improve the tournament format. Now, SRT is the largest adult rugby tournament in Italy and certainly the most famous and largest snow rugby tournament in the world.
2. Tell us a bit about where the event is held .
The tournament takes place in Tarvisio, one of the winter tourist destinations in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of Italy, right on the border with Slovenia and Austria. An “international” corner where a group of former rugby players have fun “breaking the mold” with innovative ideas. The Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and the Municipality of Tarvisio are crucial partners that have believed in the sport as a “calling card” for tourism from the very beginning. A perfect match.
3. How many teams usually participate in the event and from where they come from ?
Great question! The last edition in January 2025 nearly reached 50 participating teams, and statistically, over 50% of the teams came from abroad. We expect to break records again in the upcoming edition. For fun and curiosity, we’ve always tracked not only the teams’ origins but also the players’ nationalities. In previous years, teams have come from 17 different countries (Tunisia, USA, Russia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Austria, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Hungary, Switzerland, France, England, and Iran). The athletes, however, have represented 36 different nationalities, including Tibet, Hong Kong, and Tonga
4. What kind of challenges do you face when organizing a snow rugby event ?
Our goal is to keep improving the tournament, but above all, we aim to combine the camaraderie of rugby with the thrill of après-ski. It’s a winning formula that creates an unforgettable experience!
5. In your opinion what kind of role versions of the game like Beach and Snow Rugby can play in the rugby global scene ?
Shake things up! The beach boys have brought their vibe to the mountains, and while change can be daunting, our revolution is all about fun and excitement. And that’s what innovation in sports is all about!
6. Any message you would like to share to all who might be interested in joining the 2026 Snow Rugby Tarvisio edition ?
“Try white and you will never come back right” …. …never return as the same person. Get ready for fun, rugby, and new friends, with a dash of madness.
