Rugby union in Saint Martin

Rugby union in Saint Martin is a minor, but growing sport. The 87 km2 island is divided roughly in half between France (53 km2)[1] and the Netherlands Antilles (34 km2)[2]; it is the smallest inhabited sea island divided between two nations. However, as both countries are part of the European Union, there is free movement between the two parts of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten.

Contents

Governing body

There are two governing bodies: the French Rugby Federation and the Netherlands Antilles Rugby Federation

History

Rugby was introduced to Saint Martin by the French who colonised the area. More talented players tend to leave for Metropolitan France.

There have been occasional games against sides from the other Caribbean islands. Most of its rugby contacts are either with them, or with France itself.

Saint Martin has an annual rugby tournament. Anguilla Eels RFC were finalists in the Saint Martin tournament in November 2006 and semi finalists in 2007.[3]

Like many small islands, Saint Martin has low population, which makes rugby union development difficult. The main sport is association football, and the national population is a mere 72,892. On January 1, 2006 the population of the entire island was 72,892 inhabitants, 37,629 of whom lived on the Dutch side,[4] and 35,263 on the French side.[5] There are two main settlements, Marigot, and Philipsburg. RC Les Archibalds is the main club in Marigot.[6]

See also

External links

References

  1. ^ INSEE, Government of France. "Démographie des communes de Guadeloupe au recensement de la population de 1999". http://www.insee.fr/fr/themes/tableau.asp?reg_id=26&ref_id=AMTOP005. Retrieved 2009-01-27.  (French)
  2. ^ Central Bureau of Statistics Netherlands Antilles. "Area, population density and capital". http://central-bureau-of-statistics.an/area_climate/area_a1.asp. Retrieved 2009-01-27. 
  3. ^ Rugby in Anguilla!, Anguilla News
  4. ^ Central Bureau of Statistics Netherlands Antilles. "Population per Island, January 1st". http://central-bureau-of-statistics.an/population/population_b2.asp. Retrieved 2009-01-27. 
  5. ^ INSEE, Government of France. "Populations légales 2006 de collectivités d'outre-mer". http://www.insee.fr/fr/ppp/bases-de-donnees/recensement/populations-legales/france-departements.asp#com. Retrieved 2009-01-27.  (French)
  6. ^ http://www.caribbeangames2009.com/c-Anguilla.asp
Rugby union in International Rugby Board affiliated nations not present in the Rugby World Cups
Third tier without
World Cup experience
Former states without
World Cup experience
Rugby union in North America
Sovereign states
Dependencies and
other territories
Rugby union in South America
Sovereign states
Dependencies and
other territories
Rugby union in French DOM-TOM
Governing bodies
National teams
By dependency
Clubs
  • Boisripeaux RC des Abymes
  • Good Luck RC
  • Les Barracudas RC
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