Rugby union in Singapore
Encyclopedia
Rugby union
in Singapore
is a significant sport, albeit one very much linked to the complicated history of the country. Singapore is currently ranked 52nd, 9,400 registered players, and has thirteen formally organised clubs.
in the late nineteenth century. It has had a steady presence since the beginning of the 20th century, when the Malay Cup between Singapore national rugby union team
and Malaya
was established, which is one of the oldest rugby competitions in the world.
However, unlike the other colonial city state of Asia, Hong Kong
, rugby has not been quite so successful there. The tragic events of the Second World War, and the Japanese occupation of Singapore also disrupted its growth. Between 1945 and 1991, a regiment of New Zealanders was based there, and during those years, they dominated the game there, to the extent that when they left, the Singaporean rugby scene almost fell apart.
Like some other places, Singaporean rugby's colonial inheritance has proven a hindrance. It is still dominated by white ex-pats from Commonwealth countries, such as the UK, Australia
and New Zealand
- there are at least twenty such ex-pat clubs. There has been some take up amongst other groups, and there has been a long standing effort to involve the local Chinese population, mainly by Australians Peter Randall, and Andrew Blades.
In 1995, after a heavy defeat at the hands of Hong Kong, the SRU decided to appoint a full time officer, four part-time development officers and instituted a schools programme. Between 1995 and 1998, over a hundred schools took up the sport.
Singapore has also taken part in an Asian "round robin" tournament between it and Malaysia, Sri Lanka
, and Indonesia
.
Singapore is an active participant in the Commonwealth Sevens, and Hong Kong Sevens
. The now defunct Singapore Sevens was set up as a stand by for the Hong Kong Sevens
, should it have declined under Chinese rule.
2019 Rugby World Cup
In addition to the nine venues located in Japan, one venue each from Singapore
and Hong Kong
have also been proposed to host five matches respectively. The Singapore Sports Hub
, the successor to the National Stadium, with a capacity of 50,000, will be hosting some of the matches.
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 Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
is a significant sport, albeit one very much linked to the complicated history of the country. Singapore is currently ranked 52nd, 9,400 registered players, and has thirteen formally organised clubs.
History
Rugby was introduced to the British colony of SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
in the late nineteenth century. It has had a steady presence since the beginning of the 20th century, when the Malay Cup between Singapore national rugby union team
Singapore national rugby union team
The Singapore national rugby union team represents Singapore in international rugby union. They have yet to make their debut at the Rugby World Cup, though since the 1995 Rugby World Cup, Singapore have been participating in qualification competitions....
and Malaya
Malaysia national rugby union team
The Malaysia national rugby union team represents Malaysia in international rugby union. Malaysia have yet to make their debut at the Rugby World Cup, but have attempted to qualify since the South African World Cup in 1995.-History:...
was established, which is one of the oldest rugby competitions in the world.
However, unlike the other colonial city state of Asia, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, rugby has not been quite so successful there. The tragic events of the Second World War, and the Japanese occupation of Singapore also disrupted its growth. Between 1945 and 1991, a regiment of New Zealanders was based there, and during those years, they dominated the game there, to the extent that when they left, the Singaporean rugby scene almost fell apart.
Like some other places, Singaporean rugby's colonial inheritance has proven a hindrance. It is still dominated by white ex-pats from Commonwealth countries, such as the UK, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
- there are at least twenty such ex-pat clubs. There has been some take up amongst other groups, and there has been a long standing effort to involve the local Chinese population, mainly by Australians Peter Randall, and Andrew Blades.
In 1995, after a heavy defeat at the hands of Hong Kong, the SRU decided to appoint a full time officer, four part-time development officers and instituted a schools programme. Between 1995 and 1998, over a hundred schools took up the sport.
Singapore has also taken part in an Asian "round robin" tournament between it and Malaysia, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka national rugby union team
The Sri Lanka national rugby union team represents Sri Lanka in international rugby union competitions. Sri Lanka have yet to make their debut at the Rugby World Cup. They have the longest tradition of organised club rugby in Asia, dating back to 1879, which was just 8 years after the founding of...
, and Indonesia
Indonesia national rugby union team
The Indonesia national rugby union team represents Indonesia in rugby union. They are nicknamed the "Rhinos". The team is an associate member of IRB. They have yet to play in the Rugby World Cup. The Indonesian squad was formed in 2006 to attend the IRB sanctioned Six Division Asian Rugby Football...
.
Singapore is an active participant in the Commonwealth Sevens, and Hong Kong Sevens
Hong Kong Sevens
The Hong Kong Sevens is considered the premier tournament on the IRB Sevens World Series in rugby sevens—a variant of rugby union....
. The now defunct Singapore Sevens was set up as a stand by for the Hong Kong Sevens
Hong Kong Sevens
The Hong Kong Sevens is considered the premier tournament on the IRB Sevens World Series in rugby sevens—a variant of rugby union....
, should it have declined under Chinese rule.
2019 Rugby World Cup2019 Rugby World CupThe 2019 Rugby World Cup is scheduled to be the 9th edition of the Rugby World Cup. At a special IRB meeting held in Dublin on 28 July 2009, Japan was announced as the host for the competition. This will be the first time this tournament to be held in Asia. Hong Kong and Singapore are expected to...
In addition to the nine venues located in Japan, one venue each from SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
have also been proposed to host five matches respectively. The Singapore Sports Hub
Singapore Sports Hub
The Singapore Sports Hub is a proposed sports complex located in Kallang, Singapore to be built on the present site of the National Stadium, which was officially closed on 30 June 2007 and demolition started on 29 September 2010...
, the successor to the National Stadium, with a capacity of 50,000, will be hosting some of the matches.
Notable Singaporean players
- Billy KingBilly King (cricketer)William Robert "Billy" King was an all-round sportsman who played cricket for both Ireland and the Straits Settlements, and played rugby union for Singapore.-Biography:...
, rugby player and cricketer. - A VijiaratnamA VijiaratnamDr Arumugam Vijiaratnam is the only Singaporean who has represented Singapore in four sports — hockey, cricket, football and rugby — doing so from 1946 to 1956...
, also represented Singapore in hockey, cricket and football.
See also
- Singapore national rugby union teamSingapore national rugby union teamThe Singapore national rugby union team represents Singapore in international rugby union. They have yet to make their debut at the Rugby World Cup, though since the 1995 Rugby World Cup, Singapore have been participating in qualification competitions....
- Singapore Sevens
- Singapore national rugby union team (sevens)Singapore national rugby union team (sevens)The Singapore national rugby union sevens is a minor national sevens side. They have competed in the Hong Kong Sevens many times, and were the host team in the former Singapore Sevens.-Summaries:...