Arucian football
| Highest governing body | Arucian Football Association (AFA) |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | Football Arucian Calcio |
| First played | 19th century, Sainte-Chloé |
| Clubs | 2,500 |
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | Full |
| Team members | 11 per team |
| Mixed gender | Separate competitions |
| Type | Team sport Outdoor |
| Equipment | Arucian football |
| Venue | Arucian football field |
| Presence | |
| Country or region | Asterias (especially in the Arucian nations) |
Arucian football, also known as just football, is a contact sport played between two teams of 11 players on a rectangular grass pitch. The objective of the sport is to score by catching the ball close to the opposing team's goals, or kicking the ball into it, which scores 4 points. There three additional methods to score, but they are only worth 1 point.
During general play, players may position themselves anywhere on the field and use any part of their bodies to move the ball. Kicking and passing the ball are the primary method. The catch is the main method of scoring due to the relatively high risk of earning a lower score when attempting a goal. The rules limit how the ball can be handled during play; for example, players cannot run with the ball or pick the ball off the ground. A distinctive feature of the game is the set, when a player grounds the ball anywhere on the field is awarded unimpeded possession. Outside of sets, tries, and penalty kicks, possession of the ball is in dispute at all times. Players can tackle using their hands or use their whole body to obstruct opponents. The game features strategic use of tries and sets, fast paced gameplay, and high scoring.
The sport's origin can be traced to football matches played at the University of Sainte-Chloé in the 1850s, inspired by a ball game played by sailors stationed at the colony. As part of the Holistique movement, exercise for students in the form of team sports were promoted by university staff. In response to the growing popularity of the sport, officials at Sainte-Chloé published the first Arucian football code in 1871.
Arucian football is predominantly played in the Asterias, especially in the countries of the Arucian Sea. It is widely played and watched sport in Sainte-Chloé, Carucere, Imagua and the Assimas, Satucin, and Bonaventure who run several professional and amateur competitions. The premier international competition for Arucian football is the Isles Championship, which is held annually. The sport is governed by the Arucian Football Association and oversees the Championship and sport at the professional and collegiate level.