Rugby union in Andorra
| Rugby union in Andorra | |
|---|---|
| Country | Andorra |
| Governing body | Andorran Rugby Federation |
| National team(s) | Andorra |
| First played | 1960s |
| Registered players | 213[1] |
| Clubs | 2 |
National competitions | |
Rugby union in Andorra is considered the second most popular sport in Andorra and has increased in popularity rapidly over the last decade and the national team has had a growing success on the international stage.
In 2010, there were 213 registered players, and 2 clubs.[2]
As of August 2015 there are 192 members of which 22 are women and 172 are seniors, whilst there only being one referee and 15 coaches.
Governing body[edit]
The Andorran Rugby Federation was founded in 1986, and became affiliated to the IRFB (as it was then) in 1991.
History[edit]
Andorran rugby is around sixty years old, having been introduced in the 1960s.[3]
Because it is surrounded by some of the main rugby playing heartlands of France and Spain - Provence, Catalonia (and Roussillon) and the Basque Country - Andorrans have had a long exposure to the sport through the media.
Also, three other factors have come to have an influence in recent years -
- A large influx of tourists, especially skiers.
- Andorra's status as a tax haven has brought with it many tax exiles from rugby playing countries
- Andorra's small size has meant that young people tend to study outside the country, and become interested in rugby at foreign universities.
Returning students have been a major factor in the growth of Andorran rugby.[3]
One of the most prominent advocates of rugby in Andorra has been the radio personality and teacher, Anick Musolas.[3] Musolas was raised in La Rochelle, in France, and her father was rugby-mad.[3]
Andorra managed to reach the Spanish Cup Final in 1966, but was later kicked out.[3] It now plays in the French fourth division.[3]
Notable Andorra-based players have included the no. 8 Toni Castillo and scrum halves Alonso Ricart and Roger Font, as well as locally based foreign players such as Jimmy Jordan, a Scottish winger from Kilmarnock, and the Argentine fly-half Gustavo Tumosa, who previously played for Rosario.[3]
Andorra's traditional rivals are Luxembourg, who have a similar set up. Andorra was to give Luxembourg their first international victory, 10–6.[4]
Clubs[edit]
In 1997, there were only three clubs, one being made up of ski-instructors who were locally based, but who came from all over the world.[3]
The main club in the country is VPC Andorra XV, that currently plays in the lower French leagues.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "International Rugby Board - ANDORRA". Archived from the original on 2011-09-26. Retrieved 2011-09-25.
- ^ (in English) fédération andorrane Archived September 26, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, sur irb.com, consulté le 9 mai 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Bath, Richard (ed.) The Complete Book of Rugby (Seven Oaks Ltd, 1997 ISBN 1-86200-013-1) p62
- ^ Bath p70
