Rugby union in Finland

Rugby union in Finland
Country Finland
Governing body Suomen Rugbyliitto
National team Finland
Nickname(s) SRL
First played 1978
Registered players 362
Clubs 11
National competitions
Club competitions

Rugby union in Finland is a minor but growing sport. They are currently ranked 100th (last) by the IRB.[1]

Governing body

The governing body is the Finnish Rugby Federation (Suomen Rugbyliitto) ((English):[2]

History

Finland was the last of the major Nordic countries to take up rugby. Both Denmark and Sweden started playing rugby in the 20th century, and more recently Norway in the 1980s and 1990s. Neighbouring Russia and to a lesser extent Estonia started playing within the Soviet Era, during the 1950s and 60s.

Finnish rugby started to grow during the 1990s, and early 21st century. There are now 362 players registered with the SRL.[3]

In 2000, Helsinki RFC made Finnish rugby history, when they beat a team from HMS Sheffield, a vessel in the British Royal Navy[4]

Teams

Currently Finland fields five national teams. Men 15s, Women 7s & 15s as well as the U20 and U17 age groups.

See also

References

  1. ↑ IRB.com retrieved on 29th May, 2013--~~~~
  2. ↑ http://www.rugby.fi/en/index.php
  3. ↑ http://www.irb.com/unions/union=11000053/index.html Retrieved 23rd June, 2009
  4. ↑ http://www.helsinkirugby.org/?p=48&language=en Retrieved 23rd June, 2009

External links