 |
| Rugby union in Algeria | |
|---|---|
| Country | Algeria |
| Governing body | Algerian Rugby Federation |
| National team(s) | Algeria |
| Clubs | 13 |
National competitions | |
| |
International competitions | |
Rugby union in Algeria is a minor but growing 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).
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.
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:
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.
Competitions for men's and women's rugby union for U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16, U-18 and U-20.
Algeria, since December 18, 2019, is divided into 58 wilayas (provinces). Prior to December 18, 2019, there were 48 provinces. The 58 provinces are divided into 1,541 baladiyahs (municipalities). The name of a province is always that of its capital city.
The Algerian Cup also known the Republic Cup, is a football competition in Algeria, pitting regional teams against each other. It was established in October 1962, three months after independence, and has been played yearly since then apart from 1990 and 1993.
The France national under-21 football team, known in France as Les Espoirs, is the national under-21 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years.
Union Sportive de la Médina d'Alger known as USM Alger or simply USMA for short, is a football club based in the inner suburbs of Algiers. The club was founded in 1937 and its colours are red and black. Their home stadium, Omar Hamadi Stadium, has a capacity of 10,000 spectators. The club is currently playing in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1.
Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie, known as JS Kabylie or JSK, is an Algerian professional football club based in Tizi Ouzou. The club is named after the cultural, natural and historical region that is home to the Kabyle-Berber-speaking Kabyle. The club was founded in 1946 and its colours are green and yellow. Their home stadium, Stade du 1er Novembre 1954, has a capacity of 21,240 spectators. The club is currently playing in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1. It is the most successful football club in Algeria.
Mouloudia Club Oranais, known as Mouloudia d'Oran, commonly referred to as MC Oran for short, is a football club based in Oran, Algeria. Founded on 1 January 1917 and formed again on 14 May 1946, the club was known as Mouloudia Chaâbia Ouahrania from 1971 to 1977, Mouloudia Pétroliers d'Oran from 1977 to 1987 and Mouloudia d'Oran from 1987 to 1989. The club colours are red and white. Their home stadium, Ahmed Zabana Stadium, has a capacity of 40,000 spectators. The club is currently playing in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1.
The Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 ; known as Championnat National de Première Division or Ligue 1 for short, and formerly known as the Championnat National 1, is the Algerian professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the Algerian football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue Professionnelle 2. The league is contested by 16 clubs, and it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Ligue 2. In 2009 it was known as Championnat d'Algérie D1 Nedjma and from 2010 to 2014, it was known as Ligue Professionnelle 1 Nedjma as it is sponsored by Kuwaiti telecommunications company Nedjma. From 2014, the league is officially known as Ligue Professionnelle 1 Mobilis as it is sponsored by Algerian telecommunications company Mobilis.
Football in Algeria (soccer) is the country's most popular sport. The country's top domestic league is organised into two national divisions, the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 and the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 2, overseen by the Algerian Football Federation.
The Algeria national rugby union team represents Algeria in men's international rugby union. The team is administered by the Algerian rugby Federation (FAR). The first match they competed in was on the 24th February 2007, in a game in Tunis against the Tunisia national rugby union team. While almost all current national team players play for clubs in the French championship, there are some national players who practice the sport in Australia, New Zealand, Romania and England. The first coach of the Algeria national rugby union team was Morad Kellal.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Algeria:
Sport in Algeria dates back to antiquity. In the Aurès Mountains, people played games such as El Kherdba or El khergueba. Playing cards, checkers and chess games are part of Algerian culture. Horse racing (fantasia) and rifle shooting are among the recreational traditions of Algeria.
The 2013 African U-20 Championship officially known as the Orange African U-20 Championship, Algeria 2013 was the 19th edition of the African U-20 Championship. The competition was held in Algeria in the cities of Oran and Aïn Témouchent from March 16 to 30 March 2013. The semifinalists will participate in 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The Algerian Rugby Federation (FAR) ; is the governing body for rugby union in Algeria. Algeria became a full member of Rugby Africa in December 2016. The federation is responsible for the Algerian national team and the Algerian Rugby Championship. It is in charge of promoting the sport in Algeria, organizes international matches for the national team, and is involved in educating and training players and officials. Algeria has never participated in the Rugby World Cup qualifiers. Their best result to date was a 50-0 win against Egypt and Libya, both in a Cairo international tournament in 2010.
The 2016–17 Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1was the 55th season of the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 since its establishment in 1962. A total of 16 teams contested the league.
The Algerian National rugby union Championship is a rugby union club competition that is played in Algeria and created in 2017. The national championship of rugby began in November 2018, it was learned by the president of the Algerian Rugby Federation (FAR), Sofiane Benhacen.
The 2017–18 Algerian Cup was the 54th edition of the Algerian Cup. The winner qualified for the 2018–19 CAF Confederation Cup, The final was played in the July 5, 1962 Stadium. USM Bel Abbès were the eventual winners.
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.
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.
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