The Asia-Pacific Youth Rugby Competition was established under the sponsorship of the Republic of China three years ago. The annual event has since won many friends for the country through shared enthusiasm for the sport, and enabled local teams to play against international rivals.
Rugby was introduced to Taiwan 60 years ago by Chen Ching-chung, who organized a team at the Tanchiang High School on his return from studies in Japan. The sport shares with baseball the distinction of being the earliest international ball game played on the island.
For a long time, rugby, which requires at least 30 people to play, had only a small following in Taiwan. But improved living conditions and increased time for leisure activities caused it to become more and more popular. Parents encourage their children to play rugby because it requires a high degree of teamwork and sportsmanship, and builds up fitness and strength.
Six teams from the U.S., Japan, Tonga and the Republic of China participated in the first Asia-Pacific Rugby Competition. The Tanchiang team managed to beat the favorite Japanese squad to take first place. Tanchiang's trainer, Chen Po-chuan, said that his team learned a great deal about attack and defense tactics though playing against the Japanese.
The second competition was held in 1980 in the southern port city of Tainan. The New Zealand team emerged victorious after taking on opponents from the ROC, Korea and Tonga. Exposure to the New Zealanders' high kicking and rapid passing tactics proved invaluable to the ROC team, Chen said.
The most recent competition held in Taipei in March this year proved to be the best ever in terms of the number of participants and the quality of their play. Entrants were a Japanese team, two from Korea, the Hong Kong International School team, four from the ROC, and teams from New Zealand and Western Samoa. The competition was won by the Samoan team followed by Tanchiang of the ROC and New Zealand.
In only three short years, the competition has brought together more and more rugby teams of international caliber, and become an event for rugby fans in the Republic of China to look forward to.
[Picture Caption]
The Third Annual Pacific Region Rugby Tournament was held in Taipei March 10-17. Participating teams included Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Western Samoa, and host team Republic of China.
On field, these young men are the fiercest of opponents, but off field, they are the best of friends. The results of the eight-day tournament were Western Samoa, first; ROC, second and New Zealand third.
The Third Annual Pacific Region Rugby Tournament was held in Taipei March 10-17. Participating teams included Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Western Samoa, and host team Republic of China.
The Third Annual Pacific Region Rugby Tournament was held in Taipei March 10-17. Participating teams included Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Western Samoa, and host team Republic of China.
The Third Annual Pacific Region Rugby Tournament was held in Taipei March 10-17. Participating teams included Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Western Samoa, and host team Republic of China.
The Third Annual Pacific Region Rugby Tournament was held in Taipei March 10-17. Participating teams included Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Western Samoa, and host team Republic of China.
The Third Annual Pacific Region Rugby Tournament was held in Taipei March 10-17. Participating teams included Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Western Samoa, and host team Republic of China.
On field, these young men are the fiercest of opponents, but off field, they are the best of friends. The results of the eight-day tournament were Western Samoa, first; ROC, second and New Zealand third.
On field, these young men are the fiercest of opponents, but off field, they are the best of friends. The results of the eight-day tournament were Western Samoa, first; ROC, second and New Zealand third.
On field, these young men are the fiercest of opponents, but off field, they are the best of friends. The results of the eight-day tournament were Western Samoa, first; ROC, second and New Zealand third.
On field, these young men are the fiercest of opponents, but off field, they are the best of friends. The results of the eight-day tournament were Western Samoa, first; ROC, second and New Zealand third.
On field, these young men are the fiercest of opponents, but off field, they are the best of friends. The results of the eight-day tournament were Western Samoa, first; ROC, second and New Zealand third.
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