Rugby union in Guam
| Rugby union in Guam | |
|---|---|
| Country | Guam |
| Governing body | Guam Rugby Football Union |
| National team(s) | Guam |
| Registered players | 527 (124 teenage) |
| Clubs | 4 |
Rugby union in Guam is a minor but growing sport. They are currently ranked 82nd by the IRB.[1] Although Guam is often considered part of Oceania, it tends to take part in Asian rugby tournaments.
The governing body is the Guam Rugby Football Union.[1]
History
Rugby came to Guam via three separate streams, firstly, through the visits of British, New Zealand and Australian sailors; secondly, through the American presence, which has been there from the turn of the twentieth century; and thirdly through contact with neighbouring Pacific islands, where the game is popular. Guam has also had a long running, but sometimes tempestuous, relationship with Japan. It is not known if the forces of the Japanese occupation in WWII played the game at all there, but certainly, a large number Japanese retirees have also taken an interest in promoting the game.
Modern rugby in Guam, really dates from the 1970s, however.[2]
In 1995, Guam Rugby Club was established, and they undertook tours to Saipan (Marianas), Palau, Pohnpei (Micronesia), and continental Asia.[2]
Guam rugby received another boost in 1999, when the island was chosen to host the 1999 South Pacific Games (SPG); rugby sevens had only been approved as an official sport the previous year.[2]
In 2003, a full-time development officer was employed, and in 2004, the game was officially introduced into schools.[2]
The main rugby ground is the Wettengel Football Field.
National team
Guam takes part in the Pacific Asia region of the Asian Five Nations.
See also
- Guam national rugby union team
- Guam national rugby sevens team
- Guam women's national rugby union team
- Guam women's national rugby sevens team
- Rugby union in the United States
References
- ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) IRB.com Guam page, accessed 28 June 2009 - ^ a b c d http://www.guamrugby.com/Club.htm FROM GRASS ROOTS TO RUGBY WORLD CUP, Guam Rugby Club
External links
- IRB page
- Philippines vs. Guam Rugby Match
- Rugby in Asia Guam page
- Guam Rugby Sevens Team Headed To Hong Kong For 2009 Rugby World Cup
- (in French) Archives du Rugby: Guam
