Brandan Crasto is a civil engineer by qualification, having graduated in 2020, and a National Rugby Player whose life has been deeply shaped by sport. Alongside managing his family business, he leads the Crocs Rugby Foundation and plays a key role in promoting rugby across Goa. Recognised as a youth leader, Brandan’s work extends beyond competition, focusing on mentorship, leadership, and community development through sport.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, rugby remains his strongest passion. Outside the field, Brandan’s interests reflect a curious and well-rounded personality, reading, investing, fitness, dance, travel, and cultural exploration. At the heart of everything he does lies a clear intent: to use rugby as a tool to empower young people, build confidence, and create positive social change within local communities.
The Birth and Evolution of the Crocs Rugby Foundation
The Crocs Rugby Foundation traces its origins to 2015, when it was established as the Crocotryles Rugby Club during a grassroots leadership initiative aimed at developing rugby in Goa. As part of this model, Brandan was assigned the Colva and Benaulim constituency, where he began building structured rugby programs at the community level. Mentored by international Welsh coaches Bee, Dave, and Dai, and guided by Goan rugby pioneers Anish and Peter, he was introduced to the discipline, values, and global culture that define the sport.
Following the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisation was restructured with renewed clarity and purpose. The vision evolved into creating South Goa as a sustainable hub for rugby development. Today, the foundation focuses on nurturing young athletes into well-rounded individuals, leaders who carry the values of teamwork, accountability, and resilience both on and off the field.
Vision, Growth, and Sporting Impact
The foundation’s primary goal over the next three to five years is to revive and strengthen rugby in Goa through long-term grassroots systems. This includes producing high-performing players for Goa state teams, supporting affiliation with the Sports Authority of Goa, and building awareness of rugby as a sport that develops character, discipline, and leadership. A major milestone in this journey was hosting Goa 7s – Season 2 in November 2025, which brought together nearly 400 participants from across India and around the world.
In a short span, the impact has been tangible. Over the last two years, 25 players from the foundation have represented the Goa State team, with one athlete progressing to the Team India development camp. Beyond performance metrics, players have shown marked improvement in confidence, physical fitness, leadership skills, and social responsibility, reinforcing the foundation’s commitment to holistic development.
The Crocs Family and Community-Driven Growth
The idea of the “Crocs Family” lies at the heart of the foundation’s success. What began as Brandan’s immediate family has expanded into a collective of parents, volunteers, mentors, coaches, referees, and advisors who contribute across every function, from training and tournaments to logistics, fundraising, governance, and digital outreach. This shared ownership ensures that the foundation remains deeply rooted in community participation.
Goan culture plays a vital role in strengthening this ecosystem. Known for its warmth, inclusivity, and strong community bonds, Goa’s cultural ethos aligns naturally with rugby’s values. The sport has evolved into a shared experience, one that fosters togetherness, celebration, and collective responsibility, making rugby more than just a game in the Goan landscape.
Goa Sevens: From Tournament to Movement
The Goa Sevens tournament has become a defining expression of the foundation’s vision. Growing from 12 teams in its first season to 24 teams in Season 2, the tournament has attracted international participation from Sri Lanka, along with players from the USA, Australia, Nepal, and beyond. Supported by the Goa Tourism Department and the Goa Arts & Culture Department, it is now recognised as the largest club rugby sevens tournament in India, which showcases Goa as one of the leading hubs for Sports Tourism in South Asia.
Beyond competition, the event is celebrated for its spirit. Teams bond over Goa’s food, music, beaches, wilderness, biodiversity and vibrancy, creating connections that extend well past the final whistle. Local players, academy members, parents, and volunteers actively participate in organising and hosting the event, giving it a distinctly warm and welcoming character that reflects the soul of Goa.
Looking Ahead: A Locally Rooted, Globally Connected Vision
Looking to the future, Brandan envisions expanding rugby’s reach by integrating it into school sports systems, training physical education teachers, activating village- and panchayat-level tournaments, and engaging community leaders. Plans also include bringing international professional coaches to Goa, ensuring exposure to global best practices while strengthening local systems.
With partnerships spanning the UK, South Africa, France, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, the USA, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and the Middle East, the Crocs Rugby Foundation is building a model that is deeply rooted in Goan communities while remaining globally connected. Through rugby, Brandan Crasto continues to shape not just athletes, but future leaders, grounded in values, discipline, and a strong sense of purpose.
