North America 4
Encyclopedia
North America 4, also known as IRB
North America 4 often abbreviated to NA4, was a North America
n rugby union
competition launched in 2006. The competition was contested between two newly formed representative teams from each of Canada
and the United States
.
The competition was funded by the International Rugby Board
(IRB), and was part of their three-year global strategic investment programme which was designed to increase the competitiveness of international rugby union in Canada and the United States. The tournament was intended to act as a pathway to more exposure of domestic players and to the national sides (Canada
and United States
). The North America 4 has since been replaced by the Americas Rugby Championship
as of September 7, 2009. The new tournament features six teams, including four provincial sides from Canada playing in the Canadian Rugby Championship
joined by the Argentina Jaguars and USA 'A'.
and Canada West
, and the USA Falcons
and USA Hawks
. Each team was founded in 2005 by the NA4 committee, comprising the IRB, Rugby Canada and USA Rugby.
and USA Rugby
, who operate and finance the competition.
3.12 million over a three year period to establish the competition as part of the "Tier 2 initiative", which aims to promote rugby in countries where the sport is less popular. The tournament was created to provide an elite level of rugby below the international level for both Canada and the United States. The IRB and representatives from both Rugby Canada
and USA Rugby
held meetings during September 2005 in Boston
, Massachusetts
to finalise the inaugural tournament.
The 2006 competition
was held in both British Columbia
and Columbus, Ohio
. British Columbia
hosted the first leg in May, 2006, and Ohio hosted the return leg two months later, in July.
In the future, it is hoped that the competition will eventually introduce professional rugby to North America. It is proposed that by 2008, cities and private owners will take ownership of the franchises. It is also proposed that the competition will expand to six teams, and then eight. Two teams are most likely to be added in 2008, most likely one each from Canada and the USA.
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...
North America 4 often abbreviated to NA4, was a North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n rugby union
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...
competition launched in 2006. The competition was contested between two newly formed representative teams from each of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The competition was funded by the International Rugby Board
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...
(IRB), and was part of their three-year global strategic investment programme which was designed to increase the competitiveness of international rugby union in Canada and the United States. The tournament was intended to act as a pathway to more exposure of domestic players and to the national sides (Canada
Canada national rugby union team
The Canada national rugby union team represents Canada in international rugby union. They are governed by Rugby Canada, and play in red and black. Canada is classified by the International Rugby Board as a tier two rugby nation. There are ten tier one nations, and seven tier two nations, the...
and United States
United States national rugby union team
USA Rugby's men's national rugby union team, nicknamed the Eagles, represents the United States in the sport of rugby union. The Eagles are currently ranked 17th by the IRB World Rankings. Their highest ranking was from November 2, 2006 – September 10, 2007 at the 14th position...
). The North America 4 has since been replaced by the Americas Rugby Championship
Americas Rugby Championship
The Americas Rugby Championship is a rugby union competition contested by national and regional teams from North and South America. The league has replaced the IRB's previous North American competition, the North America 4....
as of September 7, 2009. The new tournament features six teams, including four provincial sides from Canada playing in the Canadian Rugby Championship
Canadian Rugby Championship
The Canadian Rugby Championship is an amateur rugby union competition contested by 4 Canadian teams annually. During the inaugural season in 2009, the champion of round robin play would go on to play in the Americas Rugby Championship. Starting from the 2010 season, a "Canada Select XV" is...
joined by the Argentina Jaguars and USA 'A'.
Teams
The teams competing are Canada EastCanada East (rugby team)
Canada East is one of two national representative rugby union teams from Canada that compete in the North America 4 Series.-Formation:Canada East was founded in 2005 by the NA4 Committee. The NA4 Committee is made up of the International Rugby Board, Rugby Canada and USA Rugby...
and Canada West
Canada West (rugby team)
Canada West is one of two national representative rugby union teams from Canada that compete in the North America 4 Series.-Formation:Canada West was founded in 2005 by the NA4 Committee. The NA4 Committee is made up of the International Rugby Board, Rugby Canada and USA Rugby...
, and the USA Falcons
USA Falcons
The USA Falcons are one of two national representative rugby union teams from the United States that compete in the North America 4 Series.-Formation:...
and USA Hawks
USA Hawks
The USA Hawks are one of two national representative rugby union teams from the United States that compete in the North America 4 Series.-Formation:...
. Each team was founded in 2005 by the NA4 committee, comprising the IRB, Rugby Canada and USA Rugby.
Canada West
Coached by Tony Medina, who is assisted by Ian Hyde-Lay, Canada West won the inaugural competition. Captained by scrum-half Ed Fairhust the team won their first match 98-0, the largest win of the compeititon. Fairhurst has represented Canada at test level, as well, the team has a front row with test experience.Canada East
Coached by Simon Blanks, with assistants Jeff Prince and Greg Thaggard, Canada East finished third in 2006 after winning the consolation final. The team was captained by Derek Daypuck who also finished their leading points scorer on 78.USA Falcons
Coached by Jim Love who is assisted by Kevin Battle. Their captain was Patrick Bell. The team finished runners-up after losing the competition final.USA Hawks
They are coached by Pete Steinberg, assisted by Bernie Hogan and Gordon Macpherson. The team finished last in the competition. They finished with one win from their seven matches.Structure
The tournament consists of twelve games played over two legs. Each team plays the other twice, the top two teams then play in the competition final, the other two in the consolation final. Points are awarded for a win or a draw, four points for a win, two for a draw. Bonus points are also awarded, one for scoring four tries or more in a match, also one for losing by less than seven points. If two teams have the same number of points at the end of round robin play, then the team with the greatest difference in points scored over points conceded is ranked higher. The competition is run by the NA 4 committee, which is made up of the IRB, Rugby CanadaRugby Canada
Rugby Canada, is the national governing body for the sport of rugby union in Canada. Rugby Canada was incorporated in 1974, and stems from the Canadian Rugby Football Union, a body established in 1884 that now governs amateur Canadian football as Football Canada; and the now-defunct Rugby Union of...
and USA Rugby
USA Rugby
USA Rugby is the national governing body for the sport of rugby union in the United States. It is divided into seven territorial Unions: Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Northeast, Pacific Coast, Southern California, South, and West...
, who operate and finance the competition.
History
The IRB is investing $CANCanadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
3.12 million over a three year period to establish the competition as part of the "Tier 2 initiative", which aims to promote rugby in countries where the sport is less popular. The tournament was created to provide an elite level of rugby below the international level for both Canada and the United States. The IRB and representatives from both Rugby Canada
Rugby Canada
Rugby Canada, is the national governing body for the sport of rugby union in Canada. Rugby Canada was incorporated in 1974, and stems from the Canadian Rugby Football Union, a body established in 1884 that now governs amateur Canadian football as Football Canada; and the now-defunct Rugby Union of...
and USA Rugby
USA Rugby
USA Rugby is the national governing body for the sport of rugby union in the United States. It is divided into seven territorial Unions: Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Northeast, Pacific Coast, Southern California, South, and West...
held meetings during September 2005 in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
to finalise the inaugural tournament.
The 2006 competition
2006 North America 4
The 2006 North America 4 was the first tournament of its kind, a rugby union competition between four new North American teams. Each of the four teams face each other twice during the tournament, taking place in British Columbia, and then, in Columbus, Ohio...
was held in both British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
and Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
. British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
hosted the first leg in May, 2006, and Ohio hosted the return leg two months later, in July.
In the future, it is hoped that the competition will eventually introduce professional rugby to North America. It is proposed that by 2008, cities and private owners will take ownership of the franchises. It is also proposed that the competition will expand to six teams, and then eight. Two teams are most likely to be added in 2008, most likely one each from Canada and the USA.
Results
| Year | Final Host | Final | Third place match | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Score | Runner-up | 3rd place | Score | 4th place | ||||||||||
| 2006 Details 2006 North America 4 The 2006 North America 4 was the first tournament of its kind, a rugby union competition between four new North American teams. Each of the four teams face each other twice during the tournament, taking place in British Columbia, and then, in Columbus, Ohio... |
Columbus, Ohio Columbus, Ohio Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city... |
Canada West Canada West (rugby team) Canada West is one of two national representative rugby union teams from Canada that compete in the North America 4 Series.-Formation:Canada West was founded in 2005 by the NA4 Committee. The NA4 Committee is made up of the International Rugby Board, Rugby Canada and USA Rugby... |
31 - 20 | USA Falcons USA Falcons The USA Falcons are one of two national representative rugby union teams from the United States that compete in the North America 4 Series.-Formation:... |
Canada East Canada East (rugby team) Canada East is one of two national representative rugby union teams from Canada that compete in the North America 4 Series.-Formation:Canada East was founded in 2005 by the NA4 Committee. The NA4 Committee is made up of the International Rugby Board, Rugby Canada and USA Rugby... |
34 - 18 | USA Hawks USA Hawks The USA Hawks are one of two national representative rugby union teams from the United States that compete in the North America 4 Series.-Formation:... >- |
2007 Details 2007 North America 4 The 2007 North America 4 was the second North America 4 rugby tournament. Each of the four teams played each other five times in round-robin play.-Round-Robin Standings:-External links:*... |
Abbotsford, British Columbia Abbotsford, British Columbia Abbotsford is a Canadian city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, adjacent to Greater Vancouver. It is the fifth largest municipality in British Columbia, home to 123,864 people . Its Census Metropolitan Area, which includes the District of Mission, is the 23rd largest in Canada,... |
Canada West Canada West (rugby team) Canada West is one of two national representative rugby union teams from Canada that compete in the North America 4 Series.-Formation:Canada West was founded in 2005 by the NA4 Committee. The NA4 Committee is made up of the International Rugby Board, Rugby Canada and USA Rugby... |
43 - 11 | USA Falcons USA Falcons The USA Falcons are one of two national representative rugby union teams from the United States that compete in the North America 4 Series.-Formation:... |
USA Hawks USA Hawks The USA Hawks are one of two national representative rugby union teams from the United States that compete in the North America 4 Series.-Formation:... |
34 - 29 | Canada East Canada East (rugby team) Canada East is one of two national representative rugby union teams from Canada that compete in the North America 4 Series.-Formation:Canada East was founded in 2005 by the NA4 Committee. The NA4 Committee is made up of the International Rugby Board, Rugby Canada and USA Rugby... |
| 2008 Details 2008 North America 4 The 2008 North America 4 is the third tournament between the North America 4 teams. Each of the four teams played each other three times in round-robin play, followed by semi-finals, a final and third-place play-off.-Teams:... |
Glendale, Colorado Glendale, Colorado The city of Glendale is a Home Rule Municipality located in an exclave of Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States. The population was 4,547 at the 2000 census. The entire city is surrounded on all sides by the City and County of Denver. Therefore, as a municipal entity, it is also an enclave... |
Canada West Canada West (rugby team) Canada West is one of two national representative rugby union teams from Canada that compete in the North America 4 Series.-Formation:Canada West was founded in 2005 by the NA4 Committee. The NA4 Committee is made up of the International Rugby Board, Rugby Canada and USA Rugby... |
16 - 11 | USA Falcons USA Falcons The USA Falcons are one of two national representative rugby union teams from the United States that compete in the North America 4 Series.-Formation:... |
USA Hawks USA Hawks The USA Hawks are one of two national representative rugby union teams from the United States that compete in the North America 4 Series.-Formation:... , Canada East Canada East (rugby team) Canada East is one of two national representative rugby union teams from Canada that compete in the North America 4 Series.-Formation:Canada East was founded in 2005 by the NA4 Committee. The NA4 Committee is made up of the International Rugby Board, Rugby Canada and USA Rugby... |
17 - 17 | Third-place draw | ||||||||
See also
- Churchill CupChurchill CupThe Churchill Cup was an annual rugby union tournament, held in June, contested by representative men's teams from Canada, England, the United States, and other invited teams from a wide array of countries....
- 2006 North America 42006 North America 4The 2006 North America 4 was the first tournament of its kind, a rugby union competition between four new North American teams. Each of the four teams face each other twice during the tournament, taking place in British Columbia, and then, in Columbus, Ohio...
- Americas Rugby ChampionshipAmericas Rugby ChampionshipThe Americas Rugby Championship is a rugby union competition contested by national and regional teams from North and South America. The league has replaced the IRB's previous North American competition, the North America 4....
- Canadian Rugby ChampionshipCanadian Rugby ChampionshipThe Canadian Rugby Championship is an amateur rugby union competition contested by 4 Canadian teams annually. During the inaugural season in 2009, the champion of round robin play would go on to play in the Americas Rugby Championship. Starting from the 2010 season, a "Canada Select XV" is...