Rugby union in Latvia
Encyclopedia
Rugby union
in Latvia
is a minor but growing sport. During the pre-independence period, Latvia was not a centre for the game but none the less managed to qualify for the 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens
- which may be seen as the highest point it has yet reached.
: "Latvijas Regbija Federacija") was founded in 1963, and joined the IRB in 1991, after Latvian independence. Although the union was formed in the sixties, it was not considered a proper national union until after the breakup of the USSR.
Rugby union arrived in Latvia itself during the post-War Soviet period. Latvia was never a stronghold of rugby in the USSR - the game was mainly played in Russia
and Georgia
- but has experienced some growth in the post-independence period.
In 1949, rugby union was forbidden in the USSR during the "fight against the cosmopolitanism
". The competitions were resumed in 1957, and the Soviet Championship in 1966. In 1975 the Soviet national team
played their first match.
Latvia had its own rugby team in the USSR, but it was not treated as a proper national side.
.
Latvian rugby received a surprise boost when they qualified for the 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens
. At the time, there were only two pitches in the country, both of which spent much of their time under snow.
However, they lost heavily to Fiji
, Wales
, South Africa
and Romania
.
There is some rivalry with neighbours Lithuania, who they beat in the qualifiers for the 1995 Rugby World Cup
, although they did not succeed in getting into the main competition.
The Baltic is not a major rugby playing area at the time of writing, but several neighbouring countries such as Poland
, Russia
and Sweden
can boast thousands of players. The game is also growing fairly fast in the Ukraine
. Entry into the European Union
will also make it easier for western European sides to tour the country.
Snow rugby
is also played in Latvia during the winter when conditions make standard play impossible.
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 Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
is a minor but growing sport. During the pre-independence period, Latvia was not a centre for the game but none the less managed to qualify for the 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens
1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens
The inaugural 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens was held at Murrayfield in Edinburgh, Scotland, in April 1993. The International Rugby Board invited the established rugby union nations but also were keen to involve emerging nations in the event, recognising the fact that Sevens was providing the bridge...
- which may be seen as the highest point it has yet reached.
Governing Body
The Latvian Rugby Federation (LatvianLatvian language
Latvian is the official state language of Latvia. It is also sometimes referred to as Lettish. There are about 1.4 million native Latvian speakers in Latvia and about 150,000 abroad. The Latvian language has a relatively large number of non-native speakers, atypical for a small language...
: "Latvijas Regbija Federacija") was founded in 1963, and joined the IRB in 1991, after Latvian independence. Although the union was formed in the sixties, it was not considered a proper national union until after the breakup of the USSR.
Soviet Period
Rugby union was played in the Russian Empire as early as in 1908. In 1934 the Moscow Championship was started, and in 1936 the first Soviet Championship took place.Rugby union arrived in Latvia itself during the post-War Soviet period. Latvia was never a stronghold of rugby in the USSR - the game was mainly played in Russia
Rugby union in Russia
Rugby union in Russia is a growing sport. Russia is ranked 19th worldwide by the International Rugby Board , having over one hundred clubs and close to 20,000 players nationally. Russia has a professional domestic competition.-Governing body:...
and Georgia
Rugby union in Georgia
Rugby union is a popular team sport played in Georgia. Rugby union is considered the most popular sport in Georgia, after football.- Governing body :The governing body for rugby union in Georgia is the Georgia Rugby Union...
- but has experienced some growth in the post-independence period.
In 1949, rugby union was forbidden in the USSR during the "fight against the cosmopolitanism
Cosmopolitanism
Cosmopolitanism is the ideology that all human ethnic groups belong to a single community based on a shared morality. This is contrasted with communitarian and particularistic theories, especially the ideas of patriotism and nationalism...
". The competitions were resumed in 1957, and the Soviet Championship in 1966. In 1975 the Soviet national team
Soviet Union national rugby union team
The USSR national rugby union team was a sporting side that represented the Soviet Union in rugby union until the early 1990s.-History:Although such tournaments as the Soviet Cup and the Soviet Championship existed, rugby never became a major sport in the USSR...
played their first match.
Latvia had its own rugby team in the USSR, but it was not treated as a proper national side.
Post-independence
Like many other minor rugby nations, the game is centred on the capital, RigaRiga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
.
Latvian rugby received a surprise boost when they qualified for the 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens
1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens
The inaugural 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens was held at Murrayfield in Edinburgh, Scotland, in April 1993. The International Rugby Board invited the established rugby union nations but also were keen to involve emerging nations in the event, recognising the fact that Sevens was providing the bridge...
. At the time, there were only two pitches in the country, both of which spent much of their time under snow.
However, they lost heavily to Fiji
Fiji national rugby union team (sevens)
The Fiji Sevens side is one of the most popular and successful Sevens teams in the world and has won the Hong Kong Sevens a record nine times since its inception in 1976. Fiji has also won the Sevens World Cup twice, winning that event in 1997 and 2005...
, Wales
Wales national rugby union team (sevens)
The Wales national rugby union sevens team is the international rugby sevens side for Welsh rugby union players. They currently compete in the IRB Sevens World Series, the Rugby World Cup Sevens and in the Commonwealth Games....
, South Africa
South Africa national rugby union team (sevens)
The South African national rugby union sevens team compete in the World Sevens Series, the Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games.-Current squad:2011–12 IRB Sevens World Series 14-man squad :#Cecil Afrika...
and Romania
Romania national rugby union team (sevens)
The Romania national rugby union sevens is a national sevens side. It has competed in the Hong Kong Sevens and it is currently competing in the European Sevens Championship....
.
There is some rivalry with neighbours Lithuania, who they beat in the qualifiers for the 1995 Rugby World Cup
1995 Rugby World Cup
The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted and won by South Africa, and was the first Rugby World Cup in which every match was held in one country....
, although they did not succeed in getting into the main competition.
The Baltic is not a major rugby playing area at the time of writing, but several neighbouring countries such as Poland
Rugby union in Poland
Rugby union in Poland is a minor but growing sport.-Governing body:The Polish Rugby Union was founded in 1957, and joined the IRFB in 1988.The official supplier of equipment to the PRU is O'Brien sport....
, Russia
Rugby union in Russia
Rugby union in Russia is a growing sport. Russia is ranked 19th worldwide by the International Rugby Board , having over one hundred clubs and close to 20,000 players nationally. Russia has a professional domestic competition.-Governing body:...
and Sweden
Rugby union in Sweden
Rugby union in Sweden is a minor but growing sport.-Governing body:The Swedish Rugby Federation was founded in 1932, and joined the IRFB in 1988.-History:...
can boast thousands of players. The game is also growing fairly fast in the Ukraine
Rugby union in the Ukraine
Rugby union in Ukraine is a minor but growing sport, with a history dating back over six decades.it is widely known that the Ukraine football teams are pretty shit and the kick like little girlies.-Governing Body:...
. Entry into the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
will also make it easier for western European sides to tour the country.
Snow rugby
Snow rugby
Snow rugby refers to forms of rugby union, which are especially adapted to be played in winter conditions, particularly deep snow. It is played in the Argentinian Ski Resort of Las Leñas, Canada, the Kashmir region in India, Latvia and northern USA, amongst other places.-History:Rugby union is...
is also played in Latvia during the winter when conditions make standard play impossible.
See also
- Latvia national rugby union teamLatvia national rugby union teamThe Latvia national rugby union team represent Latvia at the sport of rugby union. They are governed by Latvijas Regbija Federācija and have been playing international rugby since the early 1990s. Rugby has increased in popularity in Latvia recently due to a rise in form...
- Latvia national rugby union team (sevens)Latvia national rugby union team (sevens)The Latvia national rugby union sevens is a minor national sevens side.Latvian rugby received a surprise boost when they qualified for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1993. At the time, there were only two pitches in the country, both of which spent much of their time under snow.-1993 Rugby World Cup...
- Soviet Union national rugby union teamSoviet Union national rugby union teamThe USSR national rugby union team was a sporting side that represented the Soviet Union in rugby union until the early 1990s.-History:Although such tournaments as the Soviet Cup and the Soviet Championship existed, rugby never became a major sport in the USSR...
External links
- IRB Latvia page
- Official webpage
- Don't put your tackle in Behind, pictures and anecdotes about Latvian rugby.