Rugby union in Saint Martin

Rugby union in Saint Martin is a minor but growing sport. The 87-square-kilometre (34 sq mi) island is divided roughly in half between France (53 km2)[1] and the Netherlands (34 km2);[2] it is the smallest inhabited sea island divided between two nations. There is free movement between the two parts of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten.

Map of the island showing the political division

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 had 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 a small population, which makes rugby development more 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 Archiball and the St Martin Rugby Union are the two clubs in the French territory.[6]

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See also

References
  1. INSEE, Government of France. "Démographie des communes de Guadeloupe au recensement de la population de 1999" (in French). Retrieved 2009-01-27.
  2. Central Bureau of Statistics Netherlands Antilles. "Area, population density and capital". Archived from the original on 2009-02-07. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
  3. Rugby in Anguilla!, Anguilla News
  4. Central Bureau of Statistics Netherlands Antilles. "Population per Island, January 1st". Archived from the original on 2009-02-07. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
  5. INSEE, Government of France. "Populations légales 2006 de collectivités d'outre-mer" (in French). Retrieved 2009-01-27.
  6. http://www.caribbeangames2009.com/c-Anguilla.asp
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