Crociati Parma Rugby F.C. are an Italian rugby union club. They are based in Parma in Emilia-Romagna. They were founded in 2010 by the merger of Rugby Parma F.C. and F.C. Rugby Noceto and disbanded in 2014.
Rugby Parma
Rugby Parma was founded in 1931 by Gianni Penzi, Mario Pirazzoli and Peter Zini. In the following years the university organized friendly games, then began official competitions. In 1935 Parma joined the Italian first division. As a result of a break with the university in 1946, Rugby Parma was founded. In the fifties Parma won three Italian championships. In the sixties they won two youth championships. In 1973–74 and 1987–88 the team were relegated only to return immediately to the top flight. From the 1993–94 to 1997–98 they played in Seria A2. In 1998–99 they were back in Seria A. On 2 June 2006, Parma defeated Newport Gwent Dragons of Wales 24-15 in the Heineken Cup 24th Place Play-off at Rodney Parade to claim the 24th and final spot in the 2006–07 Heineken Cup. In doing so they became the first Italian team to win the end of season Heineken Cup play-off, and ensured Italy would have three entrants in the competition, equal with Wales and Ireland, and one more than Scotland.
Crociati Rugby FC
Crociati Rugby FC were formed in June 2010 by the merger of Overmach Rugby Parma FC and Noceto Rugby FC. The club ran a senior team that competed in the National Championship of Excellence and an under-20s team. They will be based at Stadio XX Aprile, Moletolo, Parma. In 2010/2011 the new club also competed in the Amlin Challenge Cup. Each merging club maintained independent youth sections up to Under-20 level. The merger was made necessary by the formation of Aironi to compete in the Celtic League from 2010/2011. Both clubs were shareholders in Aironi. With the best players and sponsorship now being concentrated in Aironi the clubs could not financially field individual professional rugby teams. Aironi struggled in the two season in the Magners League ran into financial difficulties and were replaced by Zebre.
