Rugby union in
Bolivia
, image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg
, flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center
, flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...
is a minor, but growing sport.
Governing body
The governing body is the Federación Boliviana de Rugby, which is affiliated to
CONSUR, but not to the
International Rugby Board.
History
Rugby in
South America is dominated by
Argentina, and to a lesser extent
Uruguay (who have qualified for the
Rugby World Cup) and
Chile and is most popular in the southern part of the continent. However, rugby can be found in almost all the South American nations, partly because of massive immigration from
Europe, notably the British Isles and France. Rugby was also introduced to some regions of the continent by the Irish
Marist Brothers and their schools.
However, Bolivian rugby was not really established from these waves of European immigration in the 19th and early 20th century, but during the late 20th century. The impetus came partly through large numbers of foreign nationals working for various countries, but most especially people from Argentina. It has been claimed for example that British workers connected with the mines were playing in the mid 20th century.
[Welcome to Bolivia Altiplanic Rugby pt1]
retrieved 8 July 2009
The confirmed roots of Bolivian rugby go back to the 1960s, when
José Pipo Viale, from
Córdoba, Argentina
Córdoba () is a city in central Argentina, in the foothills of the Punilla Valley, Sierras Chicas on the Primero River, Suquía River, about northwest of Buenos Aires. It is the capital of Córdoba Province, Argentina, Córdoba Province a ...
introduced the game to
Cochabamba.
[ As in Paraguay, the French have been instrumental in expanding the game. French diplomats from the Embassy, and the
Colegio Franco Boliviano produced a team which managed to tour Chile, and played an informal match against a French Guiana side touring South America.][
Traditionally rugby is most popular in ]La Paz
La Paz (), officially known as Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Spanish pronunciation: ), is the seat of government of the Bolivia, Plurinational State of Bolivia. With an estimated 816,044 residents as of 2020, La Paz is the List of Bolivian cities ...
, the capital, but it is also fairly successful in the Santa Cruz region, and is played by some university sides. There are also clubs in Cochabamba and Tarija.
The interest in Santa Cruz was partially the result of a community of Argentine expatriates, who formed a club with the locals. The first Santa Cruz team was Jenecheru.
The first Bolivian Club Championship was in 2006.
Touring sides occasionally visit from neighbouring countries.
Teams of 2010 Bolivian Championship
* Jenecherú
* Santa Cruz
* Universitário de Cochabamba
* La Paz
* Tarija
* Brangus
* Supay Rugby Club
References
External links
Welcome to Bolivia Altiplanic Rugby pt1
Rugby de Bolivia
*
Santa Cruz Rugby
*
La Paz Rugby Club
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rugby Union In Bolivia