FAQs

Q: Who are Bristol Sonics?

A: Bristol Sonics are Bristol’s Rugby League club. They are currently based at Aretians RFC in Little Stoke, just outside Bristol (near near the Filton Airfield), and were founded in 2002. The Sonics now play in the Midlands Premier division of the Rugby League Conference, a summer league made up of teams all over the United Kingdom split into regional divisions. The Sonics’ division includes other teams from the Midlands, including bitter rivals Gloucestershire Warriors and Coventry Bears.

Q: Why the Sonics?

Bristol has a great history in the development and manufacture of aircraft. The city’s aviation industry is probably best known for Concorde, the world’s first supersonic passenger jet, which was developed largely at British Aerospace’s factory in Filton.

When the Bristol Rugby League club was being formed, it was decided to adopt a name with strong links to the city. As the team would be playing it Filton, the club felt that Sonics shortened from Supersonics was the most suitable name.

Q: What is Rugby League?

A: Rugby League is a fast, athletic and action-packed version of rugby football, played by teams of thirteen players. With emphasis firmly on scoring tries, League is often referred to as ‘the handling code’.

Q: But isn’t Rugby League just a Northern sport?

A: Not at all! The Sonics play in the South West division of the TotalRL.com Rugby League Conference, a summer league made up of teams all over the United Kingdom split into regional divisions.

The Sonics’ division includes other teams from the South West, including local rivals Gloucestershire Warriors and Somerset Vikings, while other divisions include teams from London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Newcastle and Nottingham. Rugby league is also played in Australia, New Zealand, France, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Fiji, Russia, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Holland, Germany, Lebanon and the United States  and that’s just the start! In fact, Rugby League is one of the world’s fastest growing participation sports!

Q: Who can play Rugby League?

A: Anyone. Although League is a tough, athletic sport, the Sonics have an open minded approach to player recruitment. If you’ve never played Rugby League but have a good to high standard of fitness, come down and give it a go. Likewise, if you play Rugby Union or Aussie Rules and want to give League a go, give us a call contacts. If you feel you might not be up to the full-blooded nature of Conference Rugby League, you can still play for our Social team, the Subsonics.

Q. When do matches take place?

A. During the Conference season (May-August), Sonics home matches take place on Saturday afternoons (k.o 2.30pm) at Aretians RFC, Little Stoke, just outside Bristol. Detailed travel directions are available on our our find us page.

Q. When does training take place?

A. During the Conference season (May-August), the Sonics train twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday nights, starting at 6.45pm. Training sessions take place at Aretians RFC, Little Stoke. For travel directions see our find us page.

Q. How good are the Sonics?

A. The Sonics now run 3 sides at open age level:

  • 1st Team (Open Age): Competing in the RLC Midlands Premier Division - this presents a good standard of rugby league with further opportunities to play representatively if you’re good enough!

     
  • 2nd Team (Open Age): Competing in the Midlands Merit League plus friendlies – this will provide a competitive level of RL at a slightly lower intensity to the 1st team matches.

     
  • Sub-Sonics (Open Age): The Club’s social team who currently compete in the Bristol Touch Leagues. Anyone is welcome as the leagues are mixed male/female and there are no restrictions on age, ability, experience.