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Rugby union in Guyana

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Rugby union in Guyana
CountryGuyana
Governing bodyGuyana Rugby Football Union
National team(s)Guyana
First playedEarly 20th century
Registered players1032
National competitions

Rugby union in Guyana is a minor but growing sport. As of 2011, the country is ranked 66th by the IRB, with 1032 registered players.[1]

Guyana is geographically in South America, but competes in North American competitions, and is a member of NAWIRA as its rugby contacts tend to be with the Caribbean nations, rather than the Southern Cone[1]

Governing body

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The national governing body is the Guyana Rugby Football Union.[1]

History

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Guyana is a former British colony, known as "British Guiana", and the game there was introduced to there by the British. For a number of years, the local rugby scene was dominated by expatriates.

In 1954, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders regiment was stationed in Guyana, and formed their own team to play local sides in the colony.[2] They played sides formed of British and Portuguese residents of Georgetown and the sugar estates.[2] The soldiers had not played for a long while, but had an advantage due to their physical fitness.

Guyana has done particularly well in the Caribbean Sevens.[3]

It also supports two national teams.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "International Rugby Board - GUYANA". Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2011. retrieved 4 July 2009
  2. ^ a b "Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders History – British Guiana 1953 to 1954".
  3. ^ http://www.rugbybahamas.com/index.php/2008/10/11/guyana-looking-to-create-rugby-history retrieved 5 July 2009, on Rugby Bahamas