Rugby union in Estonia
Encyclopedia
Rugby union
in Estonia
is a minor but growing sport.
(Eesti Ragbi Liit).
The Estonian Rugby Federation was the original rugby body, but did not affiliate to the IRB, as it was a "federation" of one team, instea of the required three. It was in fact expelled from FIRA-AER for lack of rugby development.
pre-Russian revolution, and was introduced to Germany in the 19th century.
". The competitions were resumed in 1957, and the Soviet Championship in 1966. In 1975 the Soviet national team
played their first match.
Estonia had its own rugby team in the USSR, but it was not treated as a proper national side.
For a number of years, the Estonian Rugby Federation controlled the game in a federation of one, the "Tigers" based in Tallinn.
Rugby league in Estonia
has attempted to make aggressive inroads since the mid 2000s, and took over the one team rugby federation. As a result, 70% of Tallinn's players left, and set up their own rugby union
team, the Sharks.
Tallinn
hosts to a fair number of touring sides.
Like other places in the region, the playing season is April to October, as pitches are frequently frozen in winter.
Current teams are -
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 Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
is a minor but growing sport.
Governing body
The national body is the Estonian Rugby UnionEstonian Rugby Union
The Estonian Rugby Union is the governing body of Rugby Union in Estonia and was formed in 2007 in response to FIRA-AER expulsion of the Estonian Rugby Federation...
(Eesti Ragbi Liit).
The Estonian Rugby Federation was the original rugby body, but did not affiliate to the IRB, as it was a "federation" of one team, instea of the required three. It was in fact expelled from FIRA-AER for lack of rugby development.
History
Rugby in the Baltic region was mainly introduced during the interwar period, although the game was played in Imperial Russia, including Saint PetersburgSaint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
pre-Russian revolution, and was introduced to Germany in the 19th century.
Soviet period
In 1949, rugby union was forbidden in the USSR during the "fight against the cosmopolitanismCosmopolitanism
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.
Estonia had its own rugby team in the USSR, but it was not treated as a proper national side.
Post independence
The current stadium used by the national team is Viimsi Staadion on generous loan from NordWest Kinnisvara OÜ.For a number of years, the Estonian Rugby Federation controlled the game in a federation of one, the "Tigers" based in Tallinn.
Rugby league in Estonia
Rugby league in Estonia
-The National Team:The first international was played on Estonian soil on 20 August 2005, when a Student Rugby League Chairmans Select XIII team consisting of 5 players each from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, played the Estonian national side, drawn from the capital Tallinn and university...
has attempted to make aggressive inroads since the mid 2000s, and took over the one team rugby federation. As a result, 70% of Tallinn's players left, and set up their own 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...
team, the Sharks.
Tallinn
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
hosts to a fair number of touring sides.
Like other places in the region, the playing season is April to October, as pitches are frequently frozen in winter.
Current teams are -
- Tallinn Sharks RFC
- Paide RFC
- Tartu Rugby Club
- RFC Märjamaa - Märjamaa Vikat
- Uudküla Bulldogs RFC
- Estonian Nomads RFC
Neighbouring countries
- Rugby union in FinlandRugby union in FinlandRugby union in Finland is a minor but growing sport. They are currently ranked 94th by the IRB.-Governing body:The governing body is the Finnish Rugby Federation...
- Rugby union in LatviaRugby union in LatviaRugby 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....
- Rugby union in LithuaniaRugby union in LithuaniaRugby union in Lithuania is a minor but growing sport.-Governing Body:The Lithuanian Union was founded in 1961, and joined the IRB in 1992, after Lithuanian independence. Although the union was formed in the sixties, it was not considered a proper national union until after the breakup of the...
- Rugby union in RussiaRugby union in RussiaRugby 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:...
- Rugby union in SwedenRugby union in SwedenRugby 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:...
External links
- http://www.rugby.ee/
- Estonian Rugby Union official site
- Estonia rugby news Archives du Rugby: Estonie