Rustam Minnikhanov congratulates the Strela-Ak Bars rugby club on winning the Russian Championship in the 2025 season

On October 14, at a solemn ceremony in the Kazan Kremlin, the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov congratulated the Strela-Ak Bars rugby club on winning the Russian Championship in the 2025 season. The Strela-Ak Bars Rugby Club won all the country's major trophies in the 2025 season – the Russian Rugby Championship, the Russian Cup and the Russian Rugby Super Cup.

For the first time in the history of Tatarstan rugby, our team completed «gold treble» by winning the Russian Championship, Cup and Russian Super Cup.

Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized that this result is a triumph of many years of work, faith in success and the combined efforts of the players, coaching staff, and devoted fans. It is especially valuable that these remarkable achievements came at a time of growing interest in rugby in Russia. "This historic championship is the result of the team's management's concerted efforts," the Rais of Tatarstan said.

He said that the victorious return of Strela-Ak Bars Rugby Club to the country’s rugby elite was possible due to the attention of the club’s management, coaching staff led by Jacobus Paulus (JP) Nel, all players and administrative staff.

"Congratulations on your triumphant performance in the 2025 season. I wish you happiness, health, and continued victories," the Rais of Tatarstan concluded.

Strela-Ak Bars head coach J.P. Nel thanked the leadership of Tatarstan for their attention to rugby and the Strela-Ak Bars team.

State awards were handed in to players and the head coach of the team.