Rugby union in Algeria

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Rugby union in Algeria
CountryAlgeria
Governing body Algerian Rugby Federation
National team(s) Algeria
Registered players7,000
Clubs35
National competitions
International competitions

Rugby union in Algeria is a moderately popular sport. After many years of work, in 2015, Algeria finally created a federation enabling them to apply for member status of Rugby Africa (the administrative body for rugby union within Africa). Algeria has experienced success at the international level causing an increase in overall popularity.

Contents

History

Rugby union was introduced into Algeria by the French. Some Pied-Noirs (ethnic European Algerians) would go on to become significant rugby players, such as Maurice Boyau.

As with many minor rugby nations, rugby is centered on Oran, Guelma, Algiers, Annaba.

Like many North African countries, the historical connection with France is a mixed blessing. For a number of years, Algerian rugby players would leave to play there, which deprived Algerian rugby of any real competition. [1] [2] There are at least sixty Algerians playing in English and French rugby. [2] Like many other Maghrebi nations, Algerian rugby tended to look to Europe for inspiration, rather than to the rest of Africa.

However, one exception might be Boumedienne Allam: Allam first played for France U-21 squad, winning the Six Nations Tournament of that category, in 2000. He was a member of the historical first game of Algeria national rugby union team, on 24 February 2007.

After independence, the first club created was Stade Oranais in Oran on 2007. Algerian federation was created on 2015 and the first championship started on 2018.

Clubs

Algeria has six rugby union clubs to date, and there are plans to set up a proper national club competition. [2] [3] They are currently trying to promote the game in universities and schools. [2]

For the 2017–18 season, these were the top teams:

Algeria location map.svg
Red pog.svg
ES Biskra
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MRC M'Sila
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Hydra AC
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Rugby Arzew
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R Béjaïa Club
Red pog.svg
RC Saïda
Red pog.svg
RC Tiaret
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Stade Oranais
Red pog.svg
R Aïn El Turk
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Locations of the 2017–18 Top 20 teams

National teams

Men's teams

The national rugby union team played its first unofficial game on 24 February 2007 under its first coach Morad Kellal. Almost all players play at French clubs, however there are some national players who practice the sport in Australia, New Zealand, Romania and England.

On 18 December 2015, the national team played its first official game since the creation of the Algerian rugby federation (FAR) against the Tunisian rugby union team, to which they won 16 - 6. This was also the first international match played on Algerian soil (Oran), which was televised on the Algerian channel Canal Algerie in the country for the first time.

Ahmed Zabana Stadium which is situated in Oran is the official venue of Algeria national team.

Women's teams

Competitions

Men's competitions

Women's competitions

Youth competitions

Competitions for men's and women's rugby union for U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16, U-18 and U-20.

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1</span> Professional association football league in Algeria

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Algeria national rugby union team</span>

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The 1999–00 Algerian League Cup was the 3rd season of the Algerian League Cup. The competition was open to all 26 Algerian clubs who participated in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 and the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 2. It is known as the Coupe du Groupement Professionnel.

The 2018–19 Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 was the 57th season of the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 since its establishment in 1962. A total of 16 teams contested in the league.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020–21 Algerian League Cup</span> Football tournament season

The 2020–21 Algerian League Cup was the 4th season of the Algerian League Cup. The competition was open to all 20 clubs participating in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1, Twenty years after it came back again due to the cancellation of the Algerian Cup. JS Kabylie won their first league cup title and qualified to the 2021–22 CAF Confederation Cup.

The 1997–98 Algerian League Cup called 1st November Cup is the 3rd season of the Algerian League Cup. The competition was open to all 64 Algerian clubs participating in the Algerian Championnat National and the Algerian Championnat National 2.

The MC Oran–USM Alger rivalry is a football rivalry between Oran-based MC Oran and USM Alger of Algiers. The two teams have a total of 31 titles from the Ligue Professionnelle 1, Algerian Cup, League Cup and Super Cup at the local level, Regionally the Arab Champions League, the Arab Cup Winners' Cup and the Arab Super Cup, both of which do not have continental titles and the best participation was the final of the CAF Champions League once for each club.

References

  1. ↑ http://wesclark.com/rrr/islamic_rugby.html "Islam and Rugby" on the Rugby Readers review Retrieved 5 July 2009
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Rugby makes inroads into Algeria". www.magharebia.com. Archived from the original on 10 July 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
  3. ↑ http://www.latribune-online.com/sports/592.html
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