| Rugby union in the Cayman Islands | |
|---|---|
 Location of the Cayman Islands | |
| Country | Cayman Islands |
| Governing body | Cayman Rugby |
| National team(s) | Cayman Islands |
| Registered players | 2,256 |
| Clubs | 6 |
National competitions | |
Rugby union is a growing sport in the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands national rugby union team is ranked 53rd in the world, with 2,256 registered players. [1]
The governing body is Cayman Rugby, which is a member of World Rugby, and the Rugby Americas North (RAN). [1] [2]
Although there has been interest in the game in the Cayman Islands for decades, it only became properly organised in 1972, when the Cayman Islands RFC was founded. [3] This team faced the challenge of having no rugby ball, pitch, and no clubhouse, for several years, and their nearest opponents were in Jamaica 600 miles away. [3] In 1975, however, Jeff Butterfield, a former England player acquired the rights to a piece of pine forest, which was turned into their pitch. [3]
Nowadays, the islands have their own men's team, and also a women's team, which was established in 2004. There is also a national Sevens team. A schools development programme is also now in force allowing the development of an under 18/19 national team. [4]
The Cayman Islands compete in the Caribbean Championship, a tournament which includes Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda, Martinique, Jamaica, the Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Antigua and Guyana. [5]
Other former teams include:
Rugby union in Kenya is a popular sport, in particular due to the success of the Kenya national rugby sevens team in the rugby sevens format, and tournaments such as the Safari Sevens, which has been growing yearly, and now includes numerous international teams.
The Bahamas national rugby union team represent the Bahamas in the sport of rugby union. The team have thus far not qualified for a Rugby World Cup, but have participated in qualifying tournament. The nation is classified as tier three by the International Rugby Board (IRB).
The Jamaica national rugby union team represents Jamaica in the sport of rugby union. The team has thus far not qualified for a Rugby World Cup but has participated in qualifying tournaments.
The Trinidad and Tobago national rugby union team has thus far not qualified for the Rugby World Cup, but has participated in qualifying tournaments since 1999. They are classed as a tier-three nation by World Rugby.
The Bermuda national rugby union team represents Bermuda in the sport of rugby union. Bermuda are the current Caribbean Champions 2019 although they have thus far not played in a Rugby World Cup, but have participated in qualifying tournaments.
The Guyana national rugby union team represents Guyana in the sport of rugby union. They have thus far not qualified for a Rugby World Cup, but have participated in qualifying tournaments.
Rugby union in Trinidad and Tobago is a popular sport. There are currently 4,457 registered players, and 13 clubs. They are currently ranked 45th in the world.
The British Virgin Islands national rugby union team represents the British Virgin Islands in international rugby union. The nation are a member of the International Rugby Board (IRB) and have yet to play in a Rugby World Cup tournament. The British Virgin Islands played their first international in 1996 – losing to Barbados 17 – 0.
Rugby union in the Bahamas is a minor, but relatively successful sport. They are currently ranked 86th in the International Rugby Board's world rankings. There are fewer than one thousand registered athletes in the country and only seven official IRB sanctioned teams.
Rugby union in Martinique is a minor, but growing sport.
Rugby union is a popular sport since its introduction by British military personnel in the 19th century.
Rugby union in the Netherlands is a popular sport. The sport is governed by the Rugby Nederland, which organizes the Netherlands national rugby union team.
Rugby union in the British Virgin Islands is a minor but growing sport. They currently have around 440 registered players.
Rugby union in Guyana is a minor but growing sport. They are currently ranked 66th by the IRB, with 1032 registered players.
Rugby union in Jamaica is a minor but growing sport. They are currently ranked 67th by World Rugby, with 2,090 registered players. Rugby union in Jamaica is governed by the Jamaica Rugby Football Union.
Rugby union in the Turks and Caicos Islands is a minor, but growing sport.
Rugby Americas North, abbreviated as RAN, is the governing body for rugby union in the North American continental region. Rugby Americas North operates under the authority of World Rugby, and is one of six regional unions represented within it.
Rugby union in Antigua and Barbuda is a minor but growing sport. They are currently unranked by World Rugby.
Rugby union in Anguilla is a minor, growing sport. It is not ranked by World Rugby as it is not affiliated in its own right.
The RAN Women's Rugby Championship is the regional championship for women's international rugby union in North America and the Caribbean that is sanctioned by RAN.
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