Rugby union in Venezuela
Rugby union in Venezuela is a team sport that is played as an amateur sport. History The history of rugby in Venezuela goes back to the fifties of the last century, when a group of English oil workers played the first match in Zulia State. Martell and Renault played the first organized match on 14 July 1974. In 1978, the first rugby club formed exclusively with native players was founded at Simón Bolívar University: the Club de Rugby de la Universidad Simón Bolívar (CRUSB). In the course of time, more rugby teams were created in Caracas and other Venezuelan cities. Governing body The governing body is the Venezuelan Rugby Federation, which was founded in 1992. It is affiliated to World Rugby and Sudamérica Rugby. National competitions The most important tournament is the Campeonato Nacional de Clubes (National Championship of Clubs) contested by Venezuelan men's clubs. Another notable tournament is the Torneo Internacional de Rugby Los Andes (Los Andes Rugby International Tournament) played at Mérida. Santa Teresa seven-a-side, the Circuito Nacional de Sevens (National Sevens Series) and the Seven de las Flores (Sevens of Flowers) are important club competitions in rugby sevens. The matches of these competitions are played at weekends.