Rugby union in Guam
Encyclopedia
Rugby union
in Guam
is a minor but growing sport. They are currently ranked 82nd by the IRB
. Although Guam is often considered part of Oceania
, it tends to take part in Asian rugby tournaments.
Modern rugby in Guam, really dates from the 1970s, however.
In 1995, Guam Rugby Club was established, and they undertook tours to Saipan
(Marianas), Palau
, Pohnpei
(Micronesia
), and continental Asia.
Guam rugby received another boost in 1999, when the island was chosen to host the
South Pacific Games
(SPG); rugby sevens
had only been approved as an official sport the previous year.
In 2003, a full time development officer was employed, and in 2004, the game was officially introduced into schools.
The main rugby ground is the Wettengel Football Field.
Guam takes part in the Pacific Asia region of the Asian Five Nations
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 Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
is a minor but growing sport. They are currently ranked 82nd by the IRB
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
. Although Guam is often considered part of Oceania
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
, it tends to take part in Asian rugby tournaments.
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.
In 1995, Guam Rugby Club was established, and they undertook tours to Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
(Marianas), Palau
Palau
Palau , officially the Republic of Palau , is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippines and south of Tokyo. In 1978, after three decades as being part of the United Nations trusteeship, Palau chose independence instead of becoming part of the Federated States of Micronesia, a...
, Pohnpei
Pohnpei
Not to be confused with Pompeii, the ancient city destroyed by Vesuvius in AD 79.Pohnpei "upon a stone altar " is the name of one of the four states in the Federated States of Micronesia , situated among the Senyavin Islands which are part of the larger Caroline Islands group...
(Micronesia
Micronesia
Micronesia is a subregion of Oceania, comprising thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It is distinct from Melanesia to the south, and Polynesia to the east. The Philippines lie to the west, and Indonesia to the southwest....
), and continental Asia.
Guam rugby received another boost in 1999, when the island was chosen to host the
South Pacific Games
South Pacific Games
The Pacific Games is a multi-sport event, much like the Olympics , with participation exclusively from countries around the South Pacific. It is held every four years and began in 1963, hosted by Suva, Fiji.- Concept :The idea of holding the South Pacific Games originated with Dr A.H...
(SPG); rugby sevens
Rugby sevens
Rugby sevens, also known as seven-a-side or VIIs, is a variant of rugby union in which teams are made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15, with shorter matches. Rugby sevens is administered by the International Rugby Board , the body responsible for rugby union worldwide...
had only been approved as an official sport the previous year.
In 2003, a full time development officer was employed, and in 2004, the game was officially introduced into schools.
The main rugby ground is the Wettengel Football Field.
Guam takes part in the Pacific Asia region of the Asian Five Nations
Asian Five Nations
The Asian Five Nations, known as the HSBC Asian 5 Nations due to its sponsorship by HSBC, is an annual international rugby union competition held between the top five Asian national rugby sides...
See also
- Guam national rugby union teamGuam national rugby union teamThe Guam national rugby union team represents Guam in international rugby union. They have yet to make their debut at the Rugby World Cup, though they have attempted to qualify for the World Cup.-History:...
- Guam national rugby union team (sevens)Guam national rugby union team (sevens)-References:...
- Guam women's national rugby union team
- Rugby union in the United StatesRugby union in the United StatesRugby union in the United States is a growing national sport. It is played at the youth, high school, club, semi-professional, and international levels. The United States is a Tier 2 rugby nation, as defined by the International Rugby Board, which means that it is not currently competitive at the...