Chinese Rugby Football Association
{{Short description|Chinese rugby union governing body}}
{{National rugby union
| unionname = Chinese Rugby Football Association
| nativename =
| logo = Chinese Rugby Football Association.jpg
| founded = {{start date and age|1996}}
| IRB = 1997
| region = ARFU
| regionyear =
| president = Zhang Xiaoning
| coach =
| womenscoach =
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| showflag = stp
| t = 中國橄榄球協會
| s = 中国橄欖球协会
| p = Zhōngguó Gǎnlǎnqiú Xiéhuì
| order = st
}}
The Chinese Rugby Football Association (CRFA) is the governing body for rugby union and American football in the People's Republic of China. Established in 1996, it became affiliated with World Rugby in 1997.{{cite web |title=China |url=https://www.asiarugby.com/unions/china/ |publisher=Asia Rugby |access-date=13 April 2025}}
History and Development
In the early 2000s, the CRFA shifted its focus towards rugby sevens following the decision by the Olympic Council of Asia in 2002 to include only the seven-a-side version of rugby in the Asian Games. This strategic move was influenced by China's emphasis on Olympic sports, leading to a decline in support for the traditional 15-a-side game.{{cite news |last=Kuo |first=Jason |title=Why Rugby Has Yet to Convert the Chinese |url=https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1004706 |work=Sixth Tone |date=13 October 2019 |access-date=13 April 2025}}
To promote rugby sevens domestically, the CRFA organized national championships and university tournaments. Since 2010, annual two-day sevens tournaments have been held in various locations. In 2015, the format expanded to a four-leg series to increase exposure and attract sponsorships.{{cite news |title=Try, try and try again |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2015-06/08/content_20936281.htm |work=China Daily |date=8 June 2015 |access-date=13 April 2025}}
American Football Initiatives
Beyond rugby, the CRFA has also been involved in organizing American football events within China. Efforts to popularize the sport have included youth programs and exhibition matches, aiming to introduce American football to Chinese audiences.{{cite news |last=Osnos |first=Evan |title=Transplants: The Super Bowl in Beijing |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/evan-osnos/transplants-the-super-bowl-in-beijing |work=The New Yorker |date=7 February 2011 |access-date=13 April 2025}}
National Teams
The CRFA oversees several national teams:
- China national rugby union team: The men's 15-a-side team, which has yet to qualify for a Rugby World Cup. Their first international match was in 1997.
- China national rugby sevens team: The men's sevens team has participated in the Asian Sevens Series and the Asian Games, with a notable bronze medal finish in the 2006 Asian Games.
- China women's national rugby union team: The women's 15-a-side team, representing China in international competitions.
- China women's national rugby sevens team: The women's sevens team has achieved significant success, including winning the 2014 Asian Women's Sevens Championship and qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
See also
External links
- [http://www.rugbyfootball.org.cn/ Chinese Rugby Football Association]
- [http://www.worldrugby.org/member-unions/19 China] on irb.com
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Rugby union in China}}
{{Sports governing bodies in China}}
{{World Rugby}}