- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Welcome to part four of my articles concentrating on registered player numbers from the IRB 2010 Report. This week we’ll look at CAR (Confederation of African Rugby), the IRB regional association which looks after the African Unions.
CAR has the second highest number of registered rugby players, accounting for 22 per cent of the world playing populations. FIRA (Europe) has the highest with 52 per cent.
CAR is made up of 16 member unions and seven associate unions. There was no additions or removals in CAR in 2010.
Of the 16 member unions of CAR, 12 have shown growth from 2009 and four have shown a decrease in playing numbers since 2009.
As always, the powerhouse of African Rugby is of course South Africa.
The two-time rugby World Cup winners are again far and away the number one team in CAR. In 2010 they increased player numbers to 632,184, a 29 per cent increase from 488,044 in 2008.
However, the gap between South Africa and the rest of the African nations seems to be increasing as seen in the gap between them and the CAR nation with the second highest registered numbers, Kenya.
Kenya in 2010 has 42,904 registered players, a 4.7 per cent increase from 2009. Kenya is a nation which has built a reputation off hard Sevens’ rugby work. Last news that I heard was that rugby was becoming compulsory in secondary schools, so expect huge numbers in the future.
Hopefully they can become the second best rugby nation in CAR in the future.
Madagascar, what to say about Madagascar?
Prior to the internet, the most I knew about Madagascar was that it was the home of a famous CGI lemur called ‘King Julien’ (I like to move it, move it). Little did I know, that rugby is quite a popular sport there. In 2010 they had a growth of playing numbers to 22,540, a 20 per cent increase from 2009.
Tunisia, a stand out in Sevens also had growth in playing numbers. Up to 16,218 in 2010 from 15,057 in 2009.
Uganda, another stand out in Sevens also had growth to 14,110 in 2010, up from 11,150 in 2009.
Other CAR nations showing increases in playing numbers include Botswana, Cameroon, Mauritius, Morocco, Senegal, Swaziland, and Zambia. Small but growing none the less.
The four CAR nations that showed decrease are quite surprising. Namibia, which is considered the second best rugby nation in CAR showed a decrease in 2010. Down to 5,822 from 7,327 in 2009. They have qualified for this year’s rugby world cup, but I see trouble for them in the future.
Ivory Coast, another former ‘power’ in the CAR nations many years ago, again showed decrease. Down to 5,383 in 2010 from 7,354 in 2009.
Zimbabwe, another good Sevens nation, showed decrease from 27,553 in 2010 to 22,163. Hopefully it’s a blip because I see huge potential for them after seeing them defeat Kenya in the Sevens series during this season.
Nigeria also showed decrease, but I do not have much info on their rugby scene.
Overall CAR in 2010 had a increase in playing numbers to 814,850, up 22 per cent from 2009. If growth continues on at this level, CAR will by the end of 2012 have over 1 million in playing numbers.
I give CAR a pass mark in 2010, however more can be done in my view with Sevens again the main catalyst. Things need to be done in Namibia and Ivory Coast. Hopefully this RWC will help fuel growth once again in Namibia if they get some good games under their belt.
SUMMARY CAR 2010:
16 Member Unions, seven Associate Unions.
Region Playing Numbers 814,850
World Playing Population Percentage 22 per cent
World Population Percentage 13.8 per cent
Full list CAR 2010 and year of joining the IRB:
Botswana (1994) 5,395
Burundi (2004) Associate Member
Cameroon (1999) 1,722
Ghana (2004) Associate Member
Ivory Coast (1988) 5,383
Kenya (1990) 42,904
Madagascar (1998) 22,540
Mali (2004) Associate Member
Mauritania (2003) Associate Member
Mauritius (2004) 410
Morocco (1988) 7,331
Namibia (1990) 5,822
Nigeria (2001) 6,198
Rwanda (2004) Associate Member
Senegal (1999) 3,350
South africa (1949) 632,184
Swaziland (1998) 18,920
Tanzania (2004) Associate Member
Togo (2004) Associate Member
Tunisia (1988) 16,218
Uganda (1997) 14,110
Zambia (1995) 10,200
Zimbabwe (1987) 22,163
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.