Sport in the Cook Islands
Encyclopedia
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...
is the most popular sport in the Cook Islands
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is a self-governing parliamentary democracy in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand...
with association football and rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
also popular. In September 2009, the country hosted the 2009 Pacific Mini Games
2009 Pacific Mini Games
The 2009 Pacific Mini Games was the 8th edition of the Games. They were held in the Cook Islands from September 21-October 2.-Participating countries:21 countries are schedule to participate at the 2009 Games: -Sports:...
.
Rugby union
The Cook Islands is a tier three rugby union playing nation. They began playing international rugby in the early 1990s and have yet to make the Rugby World CupRugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
.
The Cook Islands Rugby Union
Cook Islands Rugby Union
The Cook Islands Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in the Cook Islands. It was founded in 1989 and became affiliated to the International Rugby Board in 1995.The Cook Islands Rugby Union are also members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance....
is the governing body for rugby union in the Cook Islands. It was founded in 1989 and became affiliated to the International Rugby Board
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
in 1995.
Rugby league
The Cook Islands were introduced to rugby league in 1988 when the national team played it first fixture against the New Zealand Maori team. In the mid 1990s rugby league in the Cook Islands received significant funding through the SuperLeague organisation however money from this source is no longer available. Also a fall in the population has made it difficult to muster rugby league playing numbers in the Cook Islands themselves. Much of the rugby league played by Cook Islanders has been in Australia and New Zealand where there are strong Cook Island populations.In more recent times Cook Islands rugby league has received a major boost through the involvement of former professional rugby league players Kevin Iro and Matt Rua (both native Cook Islanders) in the form of selector and defensive coach for the national side. Both players represented New Zealand internationally and played many NRL
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
games. Rugby league also receives much time on television in the Cook Islands with 4 NRL games shown per week fueling the popularity of the sport amongst the islanders.
Association Football
The Cook Islands Football AssociationCook Islands Football Association
The Cook Islands Football Association is the governing body of football in Cook Islands.-External links:* at the FIFA website.* at OFC site* official website...
is the governing body of football in Cook Islands. The Cook Islands Round Cup
Cook Islands Round Cup
Cook Islands Round Cup is the top division of the Cook Islands Football Association in Cook Islands. 2,000 capacity National Stadium is one of the venues.-Cook Islands Round Cup - Clubs :*Arorangi FC*Avatiu FC*Matavera FC...
is the top division in the Cook Islands and the Cook Islands Cup
Cook Islands Cup
Cook Islands Cup is the top knockout tournament of the Cook Islands Football Association in Cook Islands-Previous winners:*1978: Tupapa FC*1979: Titikaveka FC*1980: Matavera FC*1981: Avatiu FC*1982: Avatiu FC*1983: Nikao Sokattack FC...
is the top knock-out tournament.
Footballers of Cook Islands descent
The following lists includes players of various codes of football.- Pekahou Cowan
- Ashley Drake
- Robbie FrueanRobbie FrueanRobert Fruean is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He is a midfield back and plays outside centre and sometimes on the wing. He is a former Porirua College head boy. He is of Samoan heritage.-Career:...
- Carl HoeftCarl HoeftCarl Hoeft is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He currently plays for French club Stade Toulousain after signing from Castres Olympique in the Summer of 2011. His usual position is at prop. He was a part of the All Blacks squad at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.-External links:* *...
- Tafai IoasaTafai IoasaTafai Ioasa is a New Zealand Rugby union player who has play for New Zealand Sevens team. Now plays his rugby in Japan for Fukuoka Sanix Blues.-Career highlights:*New Zealand Sevens 2001–present...
- James Kamana
- Johnny LeotaJohnny LeotaJohnny Leota is a professional rugby union player who played for Manawatu in the ITM Cup. He signed for Sale Sharks in the Summer of 2011...
- Aaron MaugerAaron MaugerAaron Joseph Douglas Mauger is a former rugby union player who played at centre for Leicester Tigers. He previously played first five-eighths and second five-eighths for Canterbury , the Crusaders and the New Zealand All Blacks...
- Nathan MaugerNathan MaugerNathan Keith Mauger is a rugby union player. He spent the entirety of his Super Rugby career with the Canterbury Crusaders. He played for the All Blacks in 2002 in which he played 2 games but never played a test. He made his debut against Ireland A and played his latest game against Scotland A....
- Craig McGrathCraig McGrathCraig McGrath is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy and the West Coast Eagles in the Victorian/Australian Football League ....
- Ryan NicholasRyan NicholasRyan Nicholas is a Japanese rugby union player who plays for Suntory Sungoliath of the Top League in Japan. In July 2011, he received Japanese citizenship...
- Henry PaulHenry PaulHenry Paul , is a dual code rugby international. Paul has previously represented New Zealand in rugby league and England in rugby union XV's and 7's. He currently holds the world record for the most consecutive kicks on the field.Paul's usual position is loose forward/Lock. He can also operate in...
- Rene RangerRene RangerRene Ranger is a rugby union player who represents Northland in the ITM Cup and the Blues in the Super 15. Ranger made his debut for New Zealand on 26 June 2010 after a superb season with the Blues...
- Stephen SetephanoStephen SetephanoSteven Setephano is a New Zealand rugby union player of Cook Islands descent who represents Waikato in the ITM Cup and the Chiefs in the Super Rugby competition, playing at number 8 or flanker...
- Francis SmithFrancis SmithFrancis Smith may refer to:In government and politics :*Francis Smith , former Premier of Tasmania*Francis Ormand Jonathan Smith , US Representative from Maine*Francis R. Smith , U.S...
- Teddy StanawayTeddy StanawayTeddy Zachery Berwyn Pai Stanaway-Teo is a professional rugby player contracted by Auckland Rugby Football Union...
- Adam Vardy