From a combination of the competitive standard of rugby matches, camaraderie nurtured from home-hosting experiences & ´personal growth´ team members gain from an International destination with a history & a vastly different culture from that they have at home, the cumulative benefits are life-lasting.
Argentina is a nation with a rich historical background. The first European immigrants arrived in the early 1500´s, predominantly from Spain & Italy. It is a country that is fiercely proud of its traditional arts, entertainment, fresh foods & a style of cuisine famous the world over.
Argentina is an especially easy country to tour. The climate is ideal; culturally & historically it is a fascinating destination; it offers geographical surprises around every corner with amazing diversity in both topography & landscape; the hospitality accorded is superb & perhaps the most enticing aspect, the costs of touring are very modest – especially when one compares tours of a same duration to France, the UK, New Zealand or Australia which are at least three times more expensive for land, let alone the airfare.
Sporting wise Argentina has always been a world powerhouse at football (soccer) having won two World Cups. It was however the British who introduced rugby, field hockey & polo – sports that Argentina has produced players for decades now who continue to be amongst the world’s elite.
Rugby in this country had its beginnings in the early 1900´s with the oldest clubs in the nation being inaugurated in Buenos Aires, La Plata, Rosario, Cordoba, Tucuman & Mendoza. Most of the rugby is played at these clubs & without exaggeration, they are some of the most welcoming to foreign touring sides that you will encounter, anywhere.
So too the wealthy private schools & colleges that provide stiff opposition on the paddock & welcoming home-hosting as they have an ethos that encourages international reciprocal touring as part of a rounded education. Schoolboy & club rugby is strong & growing stronger as so many of Argentina’s youth are turning to rugby as a chosen winter sport. The best First XV´s in Argentina have shown their ability to match & beat many historically strong powerhouse counterpart schools from South Africa, New Zealand, England & France.
Internationally, the Pumas rugby team began their rise in world rugby ranks in the 1970´s under the leadership of Hugo Porta, a superb fly-half who commanded respect by virtue of his all-round skills. The Pumas rise in world rugby status was first heralded by their fourth place in the 1999 World Cup, has continued into the new millennium with an historic third place in the 2007 World Cup after they shocked hosts France in the opening match & again in the play-off for third. Many of the Pumas squad play professionally in France & England & are recognized as players in the elite class of their respective positions.
So too in 7´s competition the 2004 season saw the Pumas 7´s team winning two tournament rounds of the International 7´s World Championship.
Irrespective of your team’s player strength, an Argentina touring itinerary can be easily tailor-designed to your specific requirements.
|
