Rugby union in Cyprus
Encyclopedia
Rugby union
in Cyprus
is a minor but growing sport.
It became affiliated to FIRA
in 2006.
bases.
During the 1970s, rugby union in Israel
trying to break out of its isolation - both political and geographical - reached out to teams in Cyprus. Many of the teams Israelis played with were British military.
In more recent times, it has mainly been a game played by expatriates, something which has hindered its takeup by the local population.
There are several competitions including a league with teams from the British military bases and three local teams:
Cypriot rugby's main ties are to European rugby, although it does play Israel occasionally.
The situation in Northern Cyprus is somewhat different, with teams playing in the Turkish leagues
. Rugby is not a major sport amongst Greek Cypriots, but it is even less so amongst Turkish Cypriots.
. Predominately made up of South African Cypriots they triumphed in the British Military Major Units League. The first game for Cyprus took place on 24 March 2007 at home against Greece
. The Cypriot XV won 39-3. Cyprus continued their great start in international rugby by beating Azerbaijan
29-0 at the Pafiako Stadium in Paphos
on 28 October 2007. They then put in back-to-back victories against Monaco
on 31 October 2007 (19-10) and Slovakia
on 3 November 2007 (38-8). Having won the FIRA ENC Division 3D Tournament, they qualified for a promotion playoff against Israel
. The game took place on 6 September 2008, Cyprus were defeated 23-14 and therefore remained in ENC 3D with Azerbaijan, Bosnia Herzegovina, Monaco and Slovakia. Cyprus currently hold records over 3 nations in the division ENC 3D, by inflicting the worst defeats of Slovakia, Azerbaijan and Monaco respectively. During the 2009 FIRA AER European Sevens Championship, Cyprus Sevens Team
took part in two tournaments in Athens and Spilt. Their performances during these competitions led to them jumping 11 places in the FIRA rankings and are currently ranked 12th in Europe.
took place on March 24, 2007 against Greece
in Paphos
. The Cypriot XV won the game by 39-3 in front of 2,500 fans.
In October and November 2007, Cyprus beat Azerbaijan
, Monaco
, Slovakia
to win the FIRA 3D Tournament, a great achievement in their first year on the international scene. However, they lost the play-off game for promotion to level 3C on 6 September 2008 against Israel
(which plays in the European leagues) by a score of 23-14.
Cyprus now play in the 3C level, after winning every game in the 2008-2010 season.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
is a minor but growing sport.
Governing body
The governing body is the Cyprus Rugby FederationCyprus Rugby Federation
The Cyprus Rugby Federation the governing body for rugby union in Cyprus. It runs several competitions including a league with teams from the British military bases and three local teams:* Paphos Tigers...
It became affiliated to FIRA
FIRA - Association of European Rugby
The FIRA - Association Européenne de Rugby is the administrative body for rugby union in Europe. It was formed in 1999 to promote, develop, organise and administer the game of rugby in Europe under the authority of the International Rugby Board .The predecessor to FIRA–AER was the Fédération...
in 2006.
History
Cypriot rugby goes back to at least the 1950s, when it was played by British Armed Forces there. The British military still contributes teams from the Akrotiri and DhekeliaAkrotiri and Dhekelia
The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia are two British-administered areas comprising a British Overseas Territory on the island of Cyprus administered as Sovereign Base Areas of the United Kingdom...
bases.
During the 1970s, rugby union in Israel
Rugby union in Israel
Rugby union is a growing sport in Israel, with a history going back over seventy years and is most popular amongst people of South African origin.-Governing body:The Israel Rugby Union was founded in 1971, and joined the IRB in 1988...
trying to break out of its isolation - both political and geographical - reached out to teams in Cyprus. Many of the teams Israelis played with were British military.
In more recent times, it has mainly been a game played by expatriates, something which has hindered its takeup by the local population.
There are several competitions including a league with teams from the British military bases and three local teams:
- Paphos TigersPaphos TigersThe Paphos Tigers are an independent rugby union club based in Paphos, Cyprus. They are known as the first independent rugby club in Cyprus. They have been established since July 10, 2003....
- founded by British and South Africans. - Limassol CrusadersLimassol CrusadersThe Limassol Crusaders are an independent rugby union club based in Limassol, Cyprus. They were the 2nd independent rugby club to be formed in Cyprus, after the Paphos Tigers. They were established in late 2003.-History:...
- Founded by expats after England won in the rugby World CupRugby World CupThe Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987.... - Nicosia Barbarians - The Barbarians are currently not playing, although the website is still up.
Cypriot rugby's main ties are to European rugby, although it does play Israel occasionally.
The situation in Northern Cyprus is somewhat different, with teams playing in the Turkish leagues
Rugby union in Turkey
Rugby Union in Turkey is a minor but growing sport.-Governing body:The governing body is the Turkish Rugby Federation. This in turn is co-federated with baseball, softball and American football under the roof of Turkish Federation of Baseball, Softball and American Football...
. Rugby is not a major sport amongst Greek Cypriots, but it is even less so amongst Turkish Cypriots.
Introduction of rugby to Cyprus
Rugby Football was introduced formally in league format in the early 1980's by the British Military due to the mannerism of their structure. However the first Cypriot Club was formed in 2003 known as, Paphos TigersPaphos Tigers
The Paphos Tigers are an independent rugby union club based in Paphos, Cyprus. They are known as the first independent rugby club in Cyprus. They have been established since July 10, 2003....
. Predominately made up of South African Cypriots they triumphed in the British Military Major Units League. The first game for Cyprus took place on 24 March 2007 at home against Greece
Greece national rugby union team
The Greece National Rugby Union team represents one of the world's newest rugby union playing nations. The national team is governed by the HRF , or EOP , presided by Evangelos Stamos....
. The Cypriot XV won 39-3. Cyprus continued their great start in international rugby by beating Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan national rugby union team
The Azerbaijan national rugby union team is the national rugby union team of Azerbaijan. They compete in division 3D of the European Nations Cup. Azerbaijan have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup.-External links:* * on rugbydata.com* on IRB.com...
29-0 at the Pafiako Stadium in Paphos
Paphos
Paphos , sometimes referred to as Pafos, is a coastal city in the southwest of Cyprus and the capital of Paphos District. In antiquity, two locations were called Paphos: Old Paphos and New Paphos. The currently inhabited city is New Paphos. It lies on the Mediterranean coast, about west of the...
on 28 October 2007. They then put in back-to-back victories against Monaco
Monaco national rugby union team
Monaco national rugby union team represents Monaco at rugby union. The team have been playing since the 1990s. They currently compete in Division 3D of the European Nations Cup tournament.-History:...
on 31 October 2007 (19-10) and Slovakia
Slovakia national rugby union team
The Slovak national rugby union team represents Slovakia in international rugby union. Slovakia have yet to qualify for a Rugby World Cup. They are currently affiliated to FIRA-AER, but not yet to the IRB.-History:...
on 3 November 2007 (38-8). Having won the FIRA ENC Division 3D Tournament, they qualified for a promotion playoff against Israel
Israel national rugby union team
The Israel national rugby union team represents Israel at a national level in international rugby union competitions. The team is governed by the Israel Rugby Union, which oversees all rugby union in Israel...
. The game took place on 6 September 2008, Cyprus were defeated 23-14 and therefore remained in ENC 3D with Azerbaijan, Bosnia Herzegovina, Monaco and Slovakia. Cyprus currently hold records over 3 nations in the division ENC 3D, by inflicting the worst defeats of Slovakia, Azerbaijan and Monaco respectively. During the 2009 FIRA AER European Sevens Championship, Cyprus Sevens Team
Cyprus Sevens Team
The Cyprus national rugby union sevens team competes in the FIRA-AER European sevens. They have only played for 2 seasons but have excelled. In their first season of the 2008 competition they managed to compete with the First and Third Tier sevens teams by successfully defeating Georgia by 7-5 and...
took part in two tournaments in Athens and Spilt. Their performances during these competitions led to them jumping 11 places in the FIRA rankings and are currently ranked 12th in Europe.
National team
The first international game of the Cyprus Rugby National TeamCyprus national rugby union team
The Cyprus National Rugby Union Team known as "The Moufflons" is the representative side of Cyprus in rugby union. Their nickname is "The Moufflons" after a kind of horned sheep which is also the Republic's national animal, the Cypriot mouflon...
took place on March 24, 2007 against Greece
Greece national rugby union team
The Greece National Rugby Union team represents one of the world's newest rugby union playing nations. The national team is governed by the HRF , or EOP , presided by Evangelos Stamos....
in Paphos
Paphos
Paphos , sometimes referred to as Pafos, is a coastal city in the southwest of Cyprus and the capital of Paphos District. In antiquity, two locations were called Paphos: Old Paphos and New Paphos. The currently inhabited city is New Paphos. It lies on the Mediterranean coast, about west of the...
. The Cypriot XV won the game by 39-3 in front of 2,500 fans.
In October and November 2007, Cyprus beat Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan national rugby union team
The Azerbaijan national rugby union team is the national rugby union team of Azerbaijan. They compete in division 3D of the European Nations Cup. Azerbaijan have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup.-External links:* * on rugbydata.com* on IRB.com...
, Monaco
Monaco national rugby union team
Monaco national rugby union team represents Monaco at rugby union. The team have been playing since the 1990s. They currently compete in Division 3D of the European Nations Cup tournament.-History:...
, Slovakia
Slovakia national rugby union team
The Slovak national rugby union team represents Slovakia in international rugby union. Slovakia have yet to qualify for a Rugby World Cup. They are currently affiliated to FIRA-AER, but not yet to the IRB.-History:...
to win the FIRA 3D Tournament, a great achievement in their first year on the international scene. However, they lost the play-off game for promotion to level 3C on 6 September 2008 against Israel
Israel national rugby union team
The Israel national rugby union team represents Israel at a national level in international rugby union competitions. The team is governed by the Israel Rugby Union, which oversees all rugby union in Israel...
(which plays in the European leagues) by a score of 23-14.
Cyprus now play in the 3C level, after winning every game in the 2008-2010 season.