Nicaragua’s emergence as a future South American C Championship competitor is gaining force. Rugby in the Central American republic has been experiencing growing popularity. Efforts from clubs have seen the national governing body work together with Sudamérica Rugby.
In July Nicaragua obtained associate membership status of Sudamérica Rugby. A place in the 2017 South American C Championship is therefore realistic. The organizational improvements has been matches by an improving standard of rugby. On Friday On Friday Guatemala’s under 23 side took-on Nicaragua in a friendly international. Nicaragua won the match 68-07.
The 2016 South American C Championship was a Four Nations competition. With all four competitors being from Central American the competition was, in actuality, the Central American Championship. Winners Guatemala will face Ecuador in repechage in 2017. The winner will join Colombia, Peru and Venezuela in the 2017 South American B Championship.
In addition to Nicaragua work is underway in Honduras. It is just a matter of time for both to play in the South American C Championship. A third country from the region, Belize is eyeing-up the prospect of joining Rugby Americas North.