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{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{update|date=April 2021}}
{{Sport overview
{{Sport overview
| country = Lithuania
| country = Lithuania
Line 7: Line 9:
| union =
| union =
| nickname =
| nickname =
| first = Mid 20th Century
| first = 1961
| registered = 1,650 <ref>http://www.irb.com/unions/union=11000069/index.html</ref>
| registered = 1,650 <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irb.com/unions/union=11000069/index.html |title=International Rugby Board - LITHUANIA |access-date=2011-09-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930115126/http://www.irb.com/unions/union=11000069/index.html |archive-date=2011-09-30 }}</ref>
| clubs = 15
| clubs = 15
| match =
| match =
⚫
| national_list = [[Rugby World Cup]]<br>[[Rugby World Cup Sevens]]<br>[[IRB Sevens World Series]]<br>[[European Nations Cup (rugby union)|European Nations Cup]]
| national1 = [[Rugby World Cup]]
| national2 = [[Rugby World Cup Sevens]]
| club_list = Lithuanian Rugby Championship
| national3 = [[IRB Sevens World Series]]
⚫
| national4 = [[European Nations Cup (rugby union)|European Nations Cup]]
| club1 = Lithuanian Open Rugby XV Championship
| club2 =
| countryflag = Lithuania
| countryflag = Lithuania
}}
}}


'''[[Rugby union]] in [[Lithuania]]''' is a minor but growing sport.
'''[[Rugby union]] in [[Lithuania]]''' is a moderately popular sport.


==Governing Body==
==Governing Body==
The [[Lithuanian Rugby Federation]] was founded in 1961, and joined the IRB in 1992 after Lithuanian had regained its independence. <ref name=Completerugby>Bath, Richard (ed.) ''The Complete Book of Rugby'' (Seven Oaks Ltd, 1997 ISBN 1 86200 013 3) p71</ref> Although the union was formed in the 1960's, it was not considered a full-fledged national union until after the breakup of the USSR.
The [[Lithuanian Rugby Federation]] (Lietuvos Regbio Federacija) was founded in 1961 and joined the IRB in 1993 after Lithuanian had regained its independence.<ref name=Completerugby>Bath, Richard (ed.) ''The Complete Book of Rugby'' (Seven Oaks Ltd, 1997 {{ISBN|1-86200-013-1}}) p71</ref> It is responsible for organizing and developing the sport at various levels within the country. Although the union was formed in the 1960s, it was not considered a full-fledged national union until after the breakup of the [[Soviet Union|USSR]].


==History==
==History==
{{seealso|Rugby union in the Soviet Union}}
{{see also|Rugby union in the Soviet Union}}

===Soviet Era===
===Soviet Era===
Rugby union arrived in Lithuania in the 1960's. The first domestic game was played in 1961. Lithuania was never a stronghold of rugby in the USSR. The game was mainly played in [[Rugby union in Russia|Russia]] and [[Rugby union in Georgia|Georgia]]. In 1949 rugby union was forbidden in the USSR during the "fight against the [[cosmopolitanism]]". The competitions were resumed in 1957, and the Soviet Championship in 1966. In 1975 the [[Soviet Union national rugby union team|Soviet national team]] played their first match.<ref>[http://www.russianrugby.ru/history.php?Id=RUS Rugby union in Russia and USSR] {{ru icon}}</ref>
Rugby union arrived in Lithuania in the 1960s. The first domestic game was played in 1961. Lithuania was never a stronghold of rugby in the USSR. The game was mainly played in [[Rugby union in Russia|Russia]] and [[Rugby union in Georgia|Georgia]].


Lithuania had its own national rugby team in the USSR, but it was not treated as an international side.
Lithuania had its own national rugby team in the USSR, but it was not treated as an international side.

Republic championship was played since 1963<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rugbystat.droppages.com/republics#litssr|title=Чемпионаты республик и городов СССР по регби}}</ref>


===Post-independence===
===Post-independence===
Rugby is spread across the country with [[Šiauliai]] as the sport's stronghold. There are rugby clubs in all major Lithuanian cities. Some smaller towns only have junior teams. The climate in the country hinders the development of the sport, because the ground is frozen for four months of the year. [[Snow rugby]] is played in winter.
Rugby is spread across the country with [[Šiauliai]] as the sport's stronghold. There are rugby clubs in all major Lithuanian cities. Some smaller towns only have junior teams. The climate in the country hinders the development of the sport, because the ground is frozen for four months of the year. [[Snow rugby]] is played in winter.


There is some rivalry with neighbours [[Latvia national rugby union team|Latvia]] who were the better side in the 1990's. However, in recent years [[Lithuania national rugby union team|Lithuania]] has dominated the fixtures.
The game has experienced some growth in the independence period particularly following the record-breaking performances by the [[Lithuania national rugby union team]] in the [[European Nations Cup (rugby union)|European Nations Cup]]. There is some rivalry with neighbours [[Latvia national rugby union team|Latvia]] who were the better side in the 1990s. However, in recent years [[Lithuania national rugby union team|Lithuania]] has dominated the fixtures.


Rugby is amateur in Lithuania. The only professional player to have come out of Lithuania is [[Karolis Navickas]] who in 2012 signed for [[Union Bordeaux Bègles]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.sudouest.fr/2012/03/08/union-bordeaux-begles-saubusse-et-brousse-prolongent-un-lituanien-arrive-653636-4564.php |title = Union Bordeaux-Bègles: Saubusse et Brousse prolongent, un Lituanien arrive}}</ref>
The game has experienced some growth in the independence period particularly following the record-breaking performances by the [[Lithuania national rugby union team]] in the [[European Nations Cup]].


==Women's rugby==
==Women's rugby==
Although Lithuania's women have not yet played test match rugby, they have been playing [[Women's International Rugby Union Sevens|international sevens rugby]] since 2005. [[Women's_international_rugby_union_results_summary#Sevens|(Current playing record)]].
Currently there are women's rugby teams in [[Klaipėda]], [[Marijampolė]] and [[Vilnius]]. Another two are forming. [[Rugby sevens]] is the dominant variant. Although Lithuania's women are yet to play test match rugby, they have been playing [[Women's International Rugby Union Sevens|international sevens rugby]] since 2005. [[Women's international rugby union results summary#Sevens|(Current playing record)]].


==Competitions==
==Competitions==
The main national competition is the Lithuanian Open Rugby XV Championship, currently disputed by 7 teams in the I Group<ref>[http://www.lrf.lt/lietuvos-varzybos/vyr-i-grup]</ref>. They are:
The main national competition is the Lithuanian Rugby Championship, currently disputed by 7 teams in the I Group.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.lrf.lt/lietuvos-varzybos/vyr-i-grup | title=LRF.lt}}</ref> They are:


* Vairas-Supoja Šiauliai
* Vairas-Jupoja [[Šiauliai]]
* Baltrex Šiauliai
* Baltrex Šiauliai
* RK Šiauliai
* RK Šiauliai
* Azuolas Kaunas
* Ąžuolas [[Kaunas]]
* Tauras-VRA Vilnius
* Tauras-VRA [[Vilnius]]
* Kuršiai [[Klaipėda]]
* Kursiai Klaipedia
* Stats-Kekava (from Riga, Latvia)
* Stats-[[Ķekava]] (from [[Riga]], [[Rugby union in Latvia|Latvia]])


==See also==
==See also==
{{commons category}}
{{commonscat}}
* [[Lithuania national rugby union team]]
* [[Lithuania national rugby union team]]
* [[Lithuania national rugby union team (sevens)]]
* [[Lithuania national rugby sevens team]]
* [[Lithuania women's national rugby sevens team]]
* [[Soviet Union national rugby union team]]
* [[Soviet Union national rugby union team]]


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://irb.com/unions/union=11000069/index.html IRB Lithuania page]
* [https://www.world.rugby/organisation/membership/europe IRB Lithuania page]
* [http://www.lrf.lt Official webpage]
* [https://www.regbis.lt Official webpage]
* [http://www.kaunas.lt/regbis/ REGBIS LIETUVOJE]
* [http://www.kaunas.lt/regbis/ REGBIS LIETUVOJE]
*{{fr}} [http://www.lestimbresdurugby.com/Archivesdurugby/Pays/Lituanie.htm Archives du Rugby: Lituanie]
*{{in lang|fr}} [http://www.lestimbresdurugby.com/Archivesdurugby/Pays/Lituanie.htm Archives du Rugby: Lituanie]
*[http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24879] Lithuania dreaming of 2011 Rugby World Cup, AFP story published by rugbyweek.com
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100704015647/http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=24879] Lithuania dreaming of 2011 Rugby World Cup, AFP story published by rugbyweek.com


{{Rugby union outside WC}}
{{Rugby union outside WC}}
{{Europe in topic|Rugby union in}}
{{Rugby union in Europe}}


[[Category:Rugby union in Lithuania| ]]
[[Category:Rugby union in Lithuania| ]]

[[fr:Rugby à XV en Lituanie]]

Latest revision as of 23:17, 9 July 2024

Rugby union in Lithuania
Lithuania playing Israel
CountryLithuania
National team(s)Lithuania
First played1961
Registered players1,650 [1]
Clubs15
National competitions
Club competitions
Lithuanian Rugby Championship

Rugby union in Lithuania is a moderately popular sport.

Governing Body

[edit]

The Lithuanian Rugby Federation (Lietuvos Regbio Federacija) was founded in 1961 and joined the IRB in 1993 after Lithuanian had regained its independence.[2] It is responsible for organizing and developing the sport at various levels within the country. Although the union was formed in the 1960s, it was not considered a full-fledged national union until after the breakup of the USSR.

History

[edit]
See also: Rugby union in the Soviet Union

Soviet Era

[edit]

Rugby union arrived in Lithuania in the 1960s. The first domestic game was played in 1961. Lithuania was never a stronghold of rugby in the USSR. The game was mainly played in Russia and Georgia.

Lithuania had its own national rugby team in the USSR, but it was not treated as an international side.

Republic championship was played since 1963[3]

Post-independence

[edit]

Rugby is spread across the country with Šiauliai as the sport's stronghold. There are rugby clubs in all major Lithuanian cities. Some smaller towns only have junior teams. The climate in the country hinders the development of the sport, because the ground is frozen for four months of the year. Snow rugby is played in winter.

The game has experienced some growth in the independence period particularly following the record-breaking performances by the Lithuania national rugby union team in the European Nations Cup. There is some rivalry with neighbours Latvia who were the better side in the 1990s. However, in recent years Lithuania has dominated the fixtures.

Rugby is amateur in Lithuania. The only professional player to have come out of Lithuania is Karolis Navickas who in 2012 signed for Union Bordeaux Bègles.[4]

Women's rugby

[edit]

Currently there are women's rugby teams in Klaipėda, Marijampolė and Vilnius. Another two are forming. Rugby sevens is the dominant variant. Although Lithuania's women are yet to play test match rugby, they have been playing international sevens rugby since 2005. (Current playing record).

Competitions

[edit]

The main national competition is the Lithuanian Rugby Championship, currently disputed by 7 teams in the I Group.[5] They are:

See also

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rugby union in Lithuania.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "International Rugby Board - LITHUANIA". Archived from the original on 2011-09-30. Retrieved 2011-09-25.
  2. ^ Bath, Richard (ed.) The Complete Book of Rugby (Seven Oaks Ltd, 1997 ISBN 1-86200-013-1) p71
  3. ^ "Чемпионаты республик и городов СССР по регби".
  4. ^ "Union Bordeaux-Bègles: Saubusse et Brousse prolongent, un Lituanien arrive".
  5. ^ "LRF.lt".
[edit]
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