Origins of Rugby

Rugby originated in England in the early 19th century, evolving from traditional football games played in schools. According to legend, during a game at Rugby School in 1823, a student named William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it, breaking the rules of standard football at the time. This bold move is often celebrated as the start of the sport we now know as rugby. Over the following decades, the game spread across the United Kingdom and eventually internationally, developing into a structured sport with clear rules and organized clubs.

Modern Evolution

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, rugby had split into two main codes: rugby union and rugby league. Rugby union maintained amateur status for many years while rugby league introduced professional play. The sport continued to grow globally, particularly in countries like New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and France. International competitions such as the Rugby World Cup, established in 1987, helped solidify rugby’s place as a widely celebrated team sport. Today, rugby continues to evolve, with variations like rugby sevens gaining popularity in the Olympics and other international tournaments.