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Belarus

Belarus has had organized football since 1991 through the Minsk Zubrs club, which in 1992, 1993 and 1994 was the winner of the championship of the cooperation of independent states (CIS), playing against two teams from Moscow and two teams from the Ukraine.  In 1995 Minsk Zubrs was the silver prize winner of the CIS Cup.  In 1993 and 1994 the team toured the United States, playing six games against NCAA teams.

 

An the end of 1995, the economic situation in the republic of Belarus sharply deteriorated and the club lost its general sponsor.  All attempts to find new sponsors were in vain, and the promising club was forced to halt participation in tournaments.

 

Only a junior team still practiced, with coach Andrei Bautin, a former player of Zubrs.  In the beginning the team only played on weekends, but within a year the practices became more regular and in the summer of 1998 the new, amateur football team Minsk Zubrs conducted its first unofficial game with the Moscow Bears and won 26-14. 

 

Up until 2005 the team participated in unofficial matches and not big tournament, but such performances were rarely successful and in 2005 the situation changed with an influx of ‘new energy’.

 

The average age of players is now 22 years old.  Now Zubrs exists on the base of the non-state University.  The director of the institute, Oleg Morozov, is the President of the American football club.  The team is only one in Belarus and has amateur status.

 

The rejuvenation of the Zubrs includes bringing in larger number of students.  In an ideal world, the team will consist of only the students from the university.  The team now has three practices per week, with two in training halls and one on-field football practice.  The main strategy is to achieve 100% of players at training and whoever does not practice does not play.

Address:         

IPP,
65-a Temiriazeva street,
Minsk, Belarus,

Website:           http://www.zubrs.ucoz.ru  

 

Quick Facts

  • Francysk Skaryna translated the Bible into Belarusian. It was published in Prague and Vilnius between 1517 and 1525, making it the first book printed in Belarus
  • To show hospitality, a host traditionally presents an offering of bread and salt when greeting a guest or visitor
  • Belarus is sometimes known as White Russia

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