Rugby league remains largely an unorganised sport in Tuvalu, played mostly by the locals as a recreational activity alongside football, cycling and the country’s native sports. The country has no records of a national team, and it has never competed in an RLIF-endorsed event. The country does not have any teams in a formal competition.
Development and popularity
editTuvalu, in GDP terms, has the second-smallest economy in the world[1], and depends largely on foreign aid for its survival. Demographically, the country is estimated to have over 12,000 people, inhabiting a land area of 26 square kilometres[1]. Most of this population is concentrated on the main islet, Fongafale[2].
Rugby league in Tuvalu is therefore undeveloped, and no team generally exists, neither at the local or national level. Games are mainly staged on an American airport built during the Second World War[2], as no rugby league pitch exists in the country. Tuvalu follows in-line with many countries that have recently adopted the game, with personal accounts of the game being played going back to 2004[3].
There are no training facilities in the country for any sport, and ability depends on natural talent and physique rather than investment or training.
Despite this, since 2007 the NRL Grand Final has been televised across the Pacific Islands, including Tuvalu[3], and looks like it will continue to do so. It is hoped that this annual access to one the sport’s most anticipated games, along with Tuvalu’s close relationship with New Zealand and Australia will expand development of the sport in the Pacific Islands.
Competition
editThe country does not compete on an international scale, and has no domestic team competing in any competitions.