Žilina Bears Rugby Club (Žilina Bears) is a rugby union club in Žilina, Slovakia, and one of the clubs listed by the Slovak Rugby Union (Slovenská rugbyová únia). Its players are known as the Bears (Medvede). The club has sections for children, youth, women and men, and its team colours are yellow and green.
History
The club came into being in 2011. It was formed as a rugby league club but, because its opponents were so far away, chose to play rugby union at home. Its official founding date is 4 May 2012, when it was registered as a civic association with the Slovak Ministry of the Interior, and its players first appeared before the rugby public on 19 March 2012. It was later accepted as a full member of the Slovak Rugby Union.
Since 2012 the club has played in the Slovak sevens league, the Memoriál Tonyho Puverle. In May 2016 the club played Bratislava in the Rugby XV final. In 2022 the club aimed to work more closely with Rugby klub Bratislava – Rugby škola, Rugby Union Club Piešťany and other Slovak teams.
By the club's count, it was Slovak champion in 2020 and Slovak champion for autumn 2023, a title it announced in November 2023.
Ground
The club does not have a single named home ground. In August 2026 teenagers and adults trained in the sports hall on Bôrik, known locally as the "korytnačka" (turtle); children trained at Žilinská tepláreň; and a further session was held in a gym in Bytča. The club's contact location is Park Ľudovíta Štúra. In 2022 it trained on the pitch of Gymnázium Varšavská in Žilina.
Teams and training
The club's categories are children from age six (U6, U8, U10, U12, U14 and U16), youth (dorast), women and men. For the 2026 season it recruited children from age five, juniors from 14, men and women. In both the summer and winter semesters the club runs a physical education rugby course for students at the University of Žilina, who train with the whole team.
As of August 2026, training in Bytča is on Mondays at 18:00 in a gym. In Žilina, children train on Wednesdays at 16:00 at Žilinská tepláreň, and youth and adults at 17:30 in the Bôrik sports hall. Confirm times with the club.
The first training session is free. Sessions for beginners have an individual approach, and no previous rugby experience is needed. Newcomers need running shoes, shorts and a T-shirt. Joining information is also available in English.
Club life
The club uses the line "Tvrdí na ihrisku, mäkkí na pive. Ragby, pot a bratstvo – vitaj u nás!" ("Hard on the pitch, soft over a beer. Rugby, sweat and brotherhood – welcome!"). The club organised a snow rugby tournament, Bears Snow Rugby, in Rajecká Lesná on 31 January 2026, with an entry fee of €100 per club or €10 per individual. Its end-of-season party in December 2025 asked guests to wear the team colours.