6 June 1997 - Commemorative Postage Stamp: 58th Congress of the FIRA (Federation International de Rugby Amateur) in Dubrovnik

Size: 35.50 x 29.82 mm Value: Kn 2.20 Paper: white, 102 g, gummed Comb Perforation: 14 Printing: Multicolour Offsetprint, AKD - Hrvatski tiskarski zavod, Zagreb Issued: 350000 The stamp is issued in sheets, each containing 20 stamps

The first rugby club was established in Cambridge in 1839 and the first national association was set up in England in 1871. The first world rugby association, International Rugby Football Board (IRFB), was established in 1886. Disagreement between British clubs and other European clubs about the principles of amateurism resulted in founding the other world rugby federation, FIRA on March 24, 1934.

Rugby is currently played on all continents in 126 states, and FIRA numbers 63 members.

Rugby has become popular in Croatia relatively late. The first club was founded on January 17, 1954 in Zagreb. It was the Academic Rugby Club "Mladost". Today, there are 15 rugby clubs in Croatia in the following cities: Zagreb, Kutina, Sisak, Sibenik, Sinj, Split, Makarska and Ploce.

Source: The Croatian Post and Telecommunications, Jurisiceva 13, 10001 Zagreb, Croatia

See also:

• Postage stamps of the Republic of Croatia
• Other 1997 issues