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Cardiff Rugby

Cardiff Rugby (Rygbi Caerdydd) is one of the four professional Welsh rugby union teams. They compete in the United Rugby Championship and in European Professional Club Rugby competitions.

Based in Cardiff, the team play at Cardiff Arms Park and are the professional arm of Cardiff Rugby Ltd. From 2003 to 2021 the first team was known as the Cardiff Blues before rebranding to Cardiff Rugby prior to the start of the 2021–22 season.

They won European Challenge Cup titles in 2010 and 2018, beating Toulon and Gloucester respectively. They most recently made the knockout stages of the European Rugby Champions Cup in 2012.

Between 2005 and 2018, they also competed in the Anglo-Welsh Cup and won the 2009 title, beating Gloucester at Twickenham.

Origins
The first reliably recorded Rugby club in Cardiff were Tredegarville, who began playing around 1870. By 1874 a team named Glamorgan FC had been formed and in 1876 they merged with Cardiff Wanderers to form Cardiff RFC.

Over the next 119 years, Cardiff RFC would become one of British rugby's leading clubs. In 1885 under Frank Hancock, Cardiff began playing with seven backs and eight forwards and perfected what was known at the time as "the passing game". These innovations eventually spread throughout the rugby world and in 2011 earned the club a place in the World Rugby Hall of Fame, one of only three clubs to have this honour. Several former Cardiff players including Gwyn Nicholls, Bleddyn Williams, Cliff Morgan, Gareth Edwards, Barry John and Gerald Davies are also members of the Hall of Fame.

In 1922, Cardiff RFC and Cardiff Cricket Club would form the Cardiff Athletic Club, and then purchased Cardiff Arms Park.

In the amateur era, Cardiff would record victories over South Africa and New Zealand. Australia would fail to beat them on six occasions. They provided more Welsh and British Lions internationals than any other club and, at the dawn of professionalism, made the first Heineken Cup final.

Professionalism and the reorganisation of Welsh rugby
When Rugby Union turned professional in 1995, Welsh rugby was organised in a league pyramid, at the top of which was the Premier Division of twelve teams that had existed for over a century as amateur clubs. However, it became clear over the next few seasons that under professionalism, Welsh Rugby would need to find a new structure.

In 1996 Cardiff Athletic Club had created Cardiff Rugby Ltd to run its professional rugby team, with former player and successful businessman Peter Thomas its first Chairman – a position he would continue to hold for the next 23 years. Cardiff were among the clubs pushing hard for the creation of an Anglo Welsh or British League in the late 1990s, which would put them in frequent conflict with the Welsh Rugby Union. This culminated in the "rebel season" of 1998/99. Thomas would refer to the WRU as "an amateur body living in the dark ages."

The next few seasons saw multiple plans for the future of Welsh professional rugby put forward. A solution known as the "gang of six" proposal also included Cardiff but was defeated by a vote of the 237 WRU member clubs.

By 2002, after years of financial problems and bitter wrangling, nine clubs remained at the top of the Welsh game. A solution was finally accepted by new WRU CEO David Moffett and it was agreed that five teams would take part in future professional competitions.

Cardiff and Llanelli were to be "standalone" teams, meaning that they would not have to amalgamate with any of the other professional clubs.

After a period of considering different names including "Cardiff 76ers" and "Cardiff Blue and Blacks", Cardiff settled on "Cardiff Blues".

Difficult first seasons
Dai Young had first been appointed Head Coach at the Arms Park in 2002, after the early departure of South African coach Rudy Joubert. Since his return from rugby league in 1996, Young had played in Cardiff teams that had won the 1999-2000 Welsh-Scottish League title, and had played in the latter stages of the Heineken Cup every season (apart from the 1998/99 "rebel season") until 2001/02.

But over the two seasons running up to what became known as Welsh rugby's "regionalisation", cut backs had been made at the Arms Park and high-profile players like Gareth Thomas, Jonathan Humphreys, Rob Howley and Neil Jenkins had left. Nevertheless, the first squad as Cardiff Blues could still call on quality Welsh internationals like Rhys Williams, Tom Shanklin, Iestyn Harris and Martyn Williams, who would compete for Wales at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Popular Canadian forward Dan Baugh and veteran South African centre Pieter Muller also remained at the club.

Aside from these few star names, the first squad under the Cardiff Blues brand was largely made up of lesser known players. Some like Nicky Robinson, his brother Jamie Robinson, Robin Sowden-Taylor and T Rhys Thomas would go on to become key figures at Cardiff. Another notable player was Cardiff fireman and part time rugby player Lee Abdul. After being brought into the squad as cover during the 2003 Rugby World Cup, Abdul would score a record four tries from the wing against the Ospreys before his career was cut short by injury.

Young's first season as a coach had been disappointing, and the first season as Cardiff Blues similarly frustrated fans. Increasingly, there were calls for Young to step down and these calls would continue for the next few seasons. However, the Cardiff board would stand by Young.

After the demise of the Celtic Warriors in 2004, the Cardiff Blues region was expanded to include Rhondda Cynon Taff, Merthyr and South Powys. Cardiff Blues would also sign players made redundant by the scrapping of the Warriors, including Gethin Jenkins and Robert Sidoli.

Calls for Young to be removed intensified between November 2004 and January 2005 when the team went eight games without recording a victory. Following the 15–38 loss to Stade Français the players were booed from the field by their own supporters.

Finishing in 9th position in the 2004-05 Celtic League meant that to qualify for the Heineken Cup, Cardiff had to compete in a play-off game against the third place Italian side Arix Viadana. Cardiff Blues won this game 38–9, thus qualifying for the Heineken Cup through what the media described derisively as the cat flap.

Investment, signings and rebuilding
In the summer of 2005 funds were made available to sign new players allowing Dai Young to start rebuilding the side. Former New Zealand No.8 Xavier Rush was among several new signings who gave the squad a much stronger look. Also, a new custom-built training headquarters was established at Hensol in the outskirts of Cardiff.

Results did not improve immediately, with the 37–20 win over Saracens in October 2005 the highlight of a mixed start to the season. However, in a prematch announcement it was confirmed that rugby legend Jonah Lomu had agreed to join on a temporary, "pay as you play" basis as he tried to rebuild his career in time for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Lomu was recovering from a kidney transplant, but the signing gave notice of the team's renewed ambition. His home debut versus Calvisano was greeted by a capacity crowd and the signing was regarded as a marketing masterstroke. Results improved with wins over the Ospreys and the Newport Gwent Dragons in December.

In January 2006, Cardiff Blues were knocked out of the Heineken Cup after losing 3–21 at home to Perpignan and then losing 3–48 to the relegation threatened Leeds Tykes. The poor run prompted the management to issue "final warnings" to under performing players. As had been the case in the two previous seasons, results improved in the latter months of the season, and in May, 15,327 watched Cardiff Blues beat Leinster 40–31 at the Millennium Stadium. At the time it set a new record for the highest attendance recorded for any Celtic League match.

New optimism
More signings, including former New Zealand fullback Ben Blair, alongside some talented academy graduates (notably Bradley Davies and Tom James) further enhanced the quality of the Cardiff Blues squad for the 2006–07 season.

In the Heineken Cup, Cardiff Blues recorded their first win in France, beating Bourgoin 13–5. Encouraged by the strong attendance for the previous season's Leinster clash, the Millennium Stadium was again used. This time hosting Leicester Tigers were the opposition and the match attracted a crowd of 26,309 spectators.

In the Celtic League, performances were now much improved. Cardiff finished second after having beaten Leinster at home to go top, only for the Ospreys to win at Borders the next day to claim the title.

Further big signings were added to the Cardiff Blues squad over the summer of 2007 including the return of Gareth Thomas, plus Paul Tito and Jason Spice. However the season was hit by the lengthy absence of important playmaker Nicky Robinson. For the second season in a row, Cardiff Blues finished second in the Celtic League and were eliminated at the pool stage of the Anglo Welsh Cup, despite taking Bath's 12 month unbeaten home record.

But in Europe, Cardiff made the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup after recording two wins over Bristol, a win and a draw with Harlequins and a rousing home victory over Stade Francais at the pool stage. They lost their away quarter-final to Toulouse but returning to the knockout stages of the tournament was seen a major step forward for Dai Young's team.

Anglo Welsh Triumph and Heineken Cup Heartbreak
By the 2008/09 season, Young's squad had a settled look, with few new signings. The team would finish only 6th in the Celtic League, but the club's focus on cup competitions would see them win the Anglo-Welsh Cup final 50–12 against Gloucester at Twickenham and make the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup. The Heineken Cup campaign began with a 20–56 bonus point victory away to Calvisano. before another a bonus point 37–24 win against Gloucester at the Millennium Stadium before a crowd of 27,114. The Cardiff Blues then claimed back-to-back victories over Biarritz in December, winning 21–17 at home followed by a 6–10 victory away.

Following the Christmas break, an away 12–16 victory over Gloucester was recorded despite being reduced to 14 men after Tom James was sent-off for a head butt on Gloucester hooker Olivier Azam. In the final round of pool games a bonus point 62–20 win over Calvisano ensured that Cardiff Blues remained the only unbeaten team in the pool stages of the 2008–09 Heineken Cup and claimed the top seed position and a home quarter-final.

The quarter-final against eighth seed and three-times Heineken Cup winners Toulouse was played in the Millennium Stadium with another record attendance of 36,778. A 9–6 victory was recorded in a defence dominated game. The semi-final against Leicester Tigers was also hosted at the Millennium Stadium. Despite being 12–26 down with six minutes remaining, a mighty comeback tied the scores at 26–26 after 80 minutes and forced extra time.

With no further score in the 20 minutes of extra time, the game was forced into an historic penalty shootout. Cardiff were defeated 7–6 following missed kicks by Tom James and Martyn Williams.

Cardiff City Stadium
Despite the excitement on the field, off the field a drama had been playing out as the Cardiff Blues board put in place a plan to move from their historic home at Cardiff Arms Park and into the new Cardiff City Stadium. Supporters were alarmed by the supposed rental costs involved in using the new venue as well as moving away from what they regarded as their spiritual home.

More big name signings were made upon the move to the new stadium, including Casey Laulala and Sam Norton-Knight. Norton-Knight had the job of replacing fan favourite outside half Nicky Robinson who, along with his brother Jamie Robinson had chosen to leave Cardiff Blues that summer. However, Norton-Knight would struggle in the 10 shirt and would go down as Dai Young's biggest transfer mistake.

In the Celtic League, Cardiff Blues finished fifth in the table, one point away from the playoffs; but secured a place in the 2010–11 Heineken Cup as the second-placed Welsh team. Their Heineken Cup campaign ended after the pool stage, in which they finished second to Toulouse and were not one of the two top second-place teams.

However, this season was the first in which three-second-place teams from the Heineken Cup parachuted into the European Challenge Cup, and the Cardiff Blues were one of three teams to qualify. They crushed Newcastle Falcons 55–22 in the quarterfinals, and edged London Wasps 18–15 both on the road, to reach the final of the competition. The Cardiff Blues became the first Welsh side to win a European trophy after beating Toulon 28–21 in the final on 23 May at Stade Vélodrome in Marseille.

Off the field, the Cardiff Blues had a turnover of £8.7 million and a total employment bill of £5.6 million, with other costs including rental of the new stadium leading them to make a loss of more than £650,000.

Xavier Rush chose to sign a new contract with the club, despite having earlier agreed terms with Ulster. After a "change in his personal circumstances" Rush had decided to remain at the club he described as his "home from home" and a release from his two-year contract was negotiated with Ulster.

Further signings were made. Michael Paterson joined from the Super 14 side the Hurricanes. Press reports in New Zealand at the time of the signing indicated that he had been close to selection for the All-Blacks before choosing to join Cardiff. With the unsuccessful Sam Norton-Knight signing for the Sanyo Wild Knights after not making the grade at outside half, Dan Parks of Glasgow Warriors and a Scottish International was signed.

But the team were beginning to struggle on the field. They were runners up in their Heineken Cup pool but with not enough points to progress in either the Heineken or the Amlin Cups. In the Pro 12 they slipped to sixth place, missing out on a play-off spot.

Lower attendances and a failure to progress in either the Heineken Cup or Magners League meant turnover fell to £7.4m, while added player and coaching costs led to the total employment bill rising to £6.7m. The hefty financial costs attached to playing at Cardiff City Stadium were beginning to mount.

In June 2011, Dai Young would step down in order to join Wasps RFC, bringing an end to nine years as Head Coach and Director of Rugby after a playing career that had begun in 1988.

Return to the Arms Park
Dai Young's departure had coincided with financial losses at the Cardiff City Stadium beginning to bite. No new signings were made over the summer and Young's assistant coaches, Gareth Baber and Justin Burnell, were made caretaker coaches.

Mid season, long serving Chief Executive Robert Norster also left, to be replaced by Richard Holland. Gavin Henson would be signed on a short-term contract, only for it to be cancelled after an incident on an aircraft returning from a match in Scotland.

Despite some success in the Heineken Cup, beating Racing Metro and achieving a quarter final place, this was a season in which Cardiff Blues managed only 10 league wins. The season was marked by increased awareness of the impact financial pressures were having on the team since the move to Cardiff City Stadium.

The team would lose £3.83m over the 2011/12 season including a seven figure payment to cancel their lease agreement with Cardiff City. It was estimated that the rental agreement and other costs associated with using the stadium had been costing the club around £1 million a season.

Attendances declined further and supporters expressed their dissatisfaction. Two fixtures were moved back to Cardiff Arms Park with some success. The games against Connacht on 10 February 2012 and Ulster on 17 February 2012 achieved capacity crowds and proved popular with supporters.

It was decided that the team would return to Cardiff Arms Park permanently.

Phil Davies and "The Chief"
Upon returning to the Arms Park, the Cardiff Blues board decided that an experienced Director of Rugby was needed. Former Scarlets coach Phil Davies was appointed.

Over the next two seasons a number of long serving and high-profile players would retire or leave for other clubs, including Gethin Jenkins, T Rhys Thomas, Casey Laulala Ben Blair Martyn Williams, Xavier Rush, Paul Tito, Maama Molitika Deiniol Jones Jamie Roberts Michael Paterson Tom James Leigh Halfpenny Ceri Sweeney and Bradley Davies.

In Davies's first season Cardiff Blues managed only eight wins in the Pro12 and one in the Heineken Cup. They scored a mere 28 tries in the Pro12, the lowest in the league.

Problems with the Arms Park playing surface had also been an issue during the season. Over the following summer, money was invested in a new artificial playing surface.

Davies chose to appoint a diverse range of assistants. These included the 1980s Cardiff hero Mark Ring, Pontypridd icon Dale McIntosh (nicknamed "The Chief") and young former London Broncos coach Rob Powell. Ring's methods were regarded as outdated and Paul John instead came on board as the new backs coach.

After a home loss to Italian club Zebre and a heavy defeat in the Heineken Cup to Exeter, Phil Davies came under severe scrutiny and defence coach Powell promptly left the club. However a victory over Heineken Cup champions Toulon followed by back to back wins over Glasgow briefly eased pressure on Davies. A further series of league defeats proved to be the final straw and Davies finally resigned. The remaining six matches of the season saw caretaker coaches John and McIntosh take the team on a four match unbeaten run which belatedly improved the team's league position.

Stay Strong for Ows
In June 2014, Cardiff were invited to send a squad to Singapore to compete in the inaugural World Club 10s. Tragically, during a third place play off match, young Cardiff centre Owen Williams suffered a significant injury to his cervical vertebrae and spinal cord. The injury ended Williams's rugby career and left him paralysed from the waist down.

Soon after the incident, the social media hashtag #staystrongforows became popularised and Williams received support from around the world. Fundraising efforts managed to secure for Williams a purpose-built house and the Stay Strong For Ows Foundation has continued to raise money and draw attention to the plight of players, who experience life changing injuries.

Mark Hammett
For the 2014/15 season, increased financial stability following the return to the Arms Park saw the board once more invest in the playing and coaching staff. Jarrad Hoeata and Gareth Anscombe were signed from New Zealand, and off the field, Kiwi coach Mark Hammett arrived after a controversial period coaching the Hurricanes in Super Rugby to become the new Director of Rugby.

Hammett's brief period in charge of the club was marked by unusual selections, insistence that players improve their fitness levels and frequent stories in the press about player dissatisfaction with his approach. Hammett would return to New Zealand before the end of the season, with "The Chief" and Paul John once more taking charge as caretaker coaches through to the end of the season.

Danny Wilson years
After three chaotic seasons, Cardiff were once again looking for a new coach. They now turned to the Bristol Bears assistant Danny Wilson. Wilson had begun his coaching career in the Cardiff Blues academy and had established a strong reputation as a forward specialist, and as Wales U20s head coach. Dale McIntosh - who had applied for the job himself - would leave soon after and be replaced as defence coach by former rugby league man Graham Steadman.

Billy Millard, who had been backs coach under Dai Young, also returned to take up the role of General Manager, a role designed to enable Wilson to focus on hand on coaching over "desk work".

Wilson found himself having to rebuild a squad that by then was a hotch potch of signings from various coaches. His team initially went on a nine match losing run. But in the second half of the season, Wilson had begun turning the team's fortunes around. An impressive away win against Scarlets was the high point in a run of strong performances that suggested Wilson was bringing much needed stability to the club. For his second season, Wilson was able to add strong new signings like Willis Halaholo and Nick Williams as well as replace Paul John with his former Bristol colleague Matt Sherratt.

Wilson also began bringing through a group of highly promising young players from the academy, including Rhun Williams, Seb Davies, Jarrod Evans and Tomos Williams.

Second season injury crisis
However, after a promising start to Wilson's second season, the team experienced a raft of injuries, beginning with a serious injury to fan favourite Dan Fish which would keep him out of rugby for much of the next three years. Key players including star outside half Anscombe, and much of the club's stable of backrow talents were also made unavailable through injury.

Nicky Robinson was called out of retirement as an emergency outside half signing and Sion Bennett also had to be signed as an emergency openside flanker due to the number of injuries in what was considered Cardiff Blues's strongest position.

Wilson's second season had proven to be disappointing. But as players returned from injury, performances (particularly a thumping 35–17 win over the Ospreys) once again began to improve toward end of season. Wilson looked to add experience to the squad and brought in South African Franco van der Merwe to strengthen the problematic second row position.

Decision to leave
Since returning to the Arms Park, the Cardiff Blues board had been negotiating with their main shareholder and landlord the Cardiff Athletic Club, over terms for a new lease at the Arms Park which would allow the board to put in place ambitious plans to redevelop the site and modernise the stadium.

These talks suddenly collapsed in 2017, leading to a sudden reduction in the wage bill at the Arms Park. This led to the recently arrived Van Der Merwe having to find a new club without playing a single match. Billy Millard also departed. Wilson was now having to fulfil Millard's former role alongside the Head Coach job, and also had only Sherratt and Richard Hodges alongside him as assistant coaches.

Wilson announced his decision to turn down the opportunity to stay at the Arms Park beyond the 2017/18 season. Initially he was set to join Wasps, ironically alongside Dai Young, but later would announce his decision to join Scotland as their new forwards coach.

Amlin Cup triumph
Wilson was a popular coach with the fans and announcement of his departure was greeted with frustration. The pessimistic mood was not helped by a series of poor results in the first half of the season.

In the second half of the season, once again performances turned around. After a run of strong displays in the Pro12, Wilson's team all but assured a return to Champions Cup rugby with a bonus point win over Ulster. Meanwhile, a strong campaign in the Challenge Cup, including away wins at Toulouse and Lyon, had seen them into the latter stages of that competition.

After a semi final win over Pau before a packed Arms Park, Cardiff Blues faced Gloucester at the final in Bilbao. A second half comeback and late penalty from Anscombe secured a dramatic win.

John Mulvihill years
The Cardiff Blues board struggled to replace Wilson. Geordan Murphy and Jim Mallinder were both reported to be close to securing the job but in the event did not take the role. The job eventually went to little known Australian coach John Mulvihill, who had spent much of his career coaching in Japan. Mulvihill had been highly recommended by Alec Evans, who had been a highly successful and respected coach at the Arms Park in the 1990s.

Mulvihill assembled a new coaching team of mostly young Welsh coaches recommended to him by the WRU. However his late arrival meant that Mulvihill was unable to make many changes to the playing squad. His first season included some notable wins over the Scarlets and Lyon and a narrow defeat to English giants Saracens, but after a mixed season Cardiff Blues had narrowly failed to remain in the Champions Cup for the following year.

Project reset
Off field, The WRU and Welsh professional teams had been negotiating over "Project reset", which had been intended to improve relations between the teams and the union, as well as change the way Welsh professional rugby was funded. However, these talks led to the sudden imposition of a transfer embargo for much of the 2019/20 season.

The embargo meant that although Mulvihill had secured the high-profile signings of Hallam Amos and Josh Adams for the following season, he was unable to strengthen his forward pack. The embargo also meant that Cardiff Blues could not offer a new contract to breakthrough academy prop Rhys Carre, who would as a result take up an offer from Saracens.

Changes at boardroom level
The "Reset" talks also resulted in major changes and a process of modernisation at board level. Peter Thomas stepped down after twenty years as chairman and became Life President while remaining on the board. Thomas would also write off £14 million of loans he'd made to the club since 1996. Fellow investor Martyn Ryan also wrote off a near seven figure sum. Long term board members Gareth Edwards and Paul Bailey also stepped aside to become Life Patrons.

The new chairman was Managing Partner of Law Firm Hugh James, Alun Jones and experienced business people Andrew Williams and Hayley Parsons would also join the board in the first major changes to the Cardiff Rugby Ltd board since its creation in 1997. Three years later, David Allen would become the board's first supporter advisor.

Covid 19
Mulvihill's second season continued the mixed set of results experienced in his first season. This season was however to be curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. As with every other professional sports team, Cardiff Blues's future was now in jeopardy. Planning for future seasons was also curtailed with Mulvihill once again being unable to recruit significantly. As part of negotiations over necessary wage cuts, extended contracts were handed out to squad members.

Mulvihill remained in charge for the following season, which was to be played behind closed doors as the pandemic continued. With the Arms Park used as part of the Dragons Heart emergency hospital, Cardiff played home games at Rodney Parade in Newport as well as two matches back at Cardiff City Stadium.

Two and half years of taking charge of Cardiff Blues through an unprecedented level of off field disruption came to an end for Mulvihill on New Years Day 2021, when he left the club to return to his family in Australia.

Return of Dai Young
Young had ended his lengthy stay at Wasps early in 2020. Aware that he was now available, the Cardiff Blues board saw him as an ideal replacement for the departing Mulvihill. He signed an initial short-term contract, followed by a longer term one in April 2021.

Young improved the team's fortunes and secured a return to Champions Cup rugby with a defeat of Edinburgh. Like his predecessor, off field issues meant that he was unable to substantially change his squad.

Rebranding
On March 1, 2021, following discussions with supporter groups, the club announced a rebranding to Cardiff Rugby, dropping the Blues name and logo from August 1, 2021.

Chief Executive Richard Holland clarified the club's identity, explaining that "We are a club with regional responsibilities....There has always been this question mark over what purpose Blues serves. It’s a suffix, at the end of the day, to Cardiff. This change is reaffirming who we are and being proud of that, while still continuing our regional duties. We believe it’s the right decision. It’s an exciting development for us as a company where we embrace the rich history and heritage of ourselves as a club."

Holland also clarified the position of the Cardiff RFC Premiership team after the rebrand, "Cardiff Rugby is the over-arching brand that’s going to encompass the pro team and the semi-pro team... Cardiff, as the Rags team, will play in the Premiership. There is no change with that." "

"Rags" was a reference to the traditional nickname for the Cardiff second XV. Following the rebrand, academy manager Gruff Rees became Director of Rugby of the Cardiff RFC XV and began a process Rees described as "full alignment with our academy".

Chairman Alun Jones further clarified, "What the rebrand does is to re-connect with our history. It’s about having a clear identity."

The Champions Cup "Misfits"
Cardiff's 2021/22 season had begun steadily, with three wins and two close defeats in their first five URC matches. After the autumn internationals, the squad flew to South Africa for matches against the Lions and Stormers.

While there, news of the spread of the Omicron variant in South Africa forced the postponement of the matches. The entire squad was forced into quarantine, initially in South Africa and later at airport hotels in England.

Champions Cup matches against French champions Stade Toulousain and English champions Harlequins were now in doubt as Cardiff seemed unlikely to be able to raise a team from the few players who hadn't flown to South Africa. A total of 32 players and 10 members of staff had been on the trip and an additional 10 players were either injured or suspended.

Cardiff made the decision to fulfill the fixtures nevertheless. Gruff Rees was put in temporary charge of the team. In addition to the few players that had been left at home, he called upon members of the Cardiff RFC semi pro squad and added two experienced semi pro props from Aberavon RFC.

The team Rees dubbed his "misfits" therefore took the field against Toulouse at the Arms Park with a primary school teacher (Evan Yardley), groundsman (Rowan Jenkins) and recruitment consultant (Alex Everett) amongst the part time players in the 23 man squad. Before a rowdy Arms Park crowd and Channel 4's cameras, the team performed admirably and beyond expectations before going down to an Antoine Dupont inspired Toulouse team.

The following week, a similar squad, now with "Rags" Backs Coach Dan Fish - who had only recently retired from professional rugby - at outside half played Harlequins at the Stoop. Tries by academy players Cameron Winnett and Theo Cabango meant that the game was tied at 17 all at half time before Harlequins finally took control of the game away from the "misfits" in the second half. Fish's inspired performance was widely praised in the media and sealed his status as a cult hero among Cardiff supporters.

Colours
The traditional Cardiff RFC colours of blue and black were modelled on the colours used by Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge and remained in use by the team until 2006.

At that time, Cardiff Blues changed their playing strip in a decision widely interpreted as a move away from the old Cardiff RFC identity, as for the first time black was not included alongside the blue.

A variety of alternative colour designs have been used as change strips and for jerseys used in European rugby. A blue and gold jersey modelled on one worn by Aberdare RFC and created to raise money for the seriously injured Aberdare born Cardiff player Owen Williams proved popular and was worn in the 2018 European Challenge Cup final win in Bilbao.

Cardiff Rugby have now returned to their traditional colours of Cambridge blue and black, as of 2021.

Sponsorship
The following companies have produced kits for the Cardiff Blues or sponsored the side at some point in their history since 2003.

Home ground
Cardiff Arms Park has been owned by Cardiff Athletic Club since the 1920s and has long been considered Cardiff Rugby's spiritual home. From the late 19th century onward, the Arms Park hosted both a cricket ground and a rugby ground until the southern side of the site was sold to the WRU in 1968. The northern side of the Arms Park then became Cardiff Rugby Club's home stadium, while the southern side was to become first the National Stadium and later the Principality Stadium. Cardiff have moved high-profile fixtures "next door" on a number of occasions, such as the 2008–09 Heineken Cup semi-final versus Leicester Tigers.

The Arms Park currently consists of two main stands, both with seated and terraced sections. At the east and west ends of the stadium are blocks of hospitality facilities and office space. The Cardiff Athletic Clubhouse sits next to the South Stand.

For three seasons from the beginning of the 2009–10 season the first team moved to the new Cardiff City Stadium at Leckwith. Financial pressures and supporter dissatisfaction led to several home games being moved back to the Arms Park in the 2011–12 season. On 8 May 2012 it was announced that the 20-year lease with Cardiff City F.C. had been broken by mutual consent following significant financial losses incurred as a result of the move. The club returned to the Arms Park from the 2012/13 season.

For the conclusion of the abbreviated 2019/20 season, and the start of the 2020/21 season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the use of Cardiff Arms Park as part of the Dragons Heart emergency hospital, Cardiff played some home games behind closed doors at Rodney Parade in Newport. The club also returned to Cardiff City Stadium for two matches behind closed doors during this period.

In 2022, it was announced that an extension to the lease at Cardiff Arms Park had been signed with Cardiff Rugby's main shareholder, Cardiff Athletic Club. Cardiff Athletic Club are exploring options for a refurbishment and redevelopment of the Arms Park stadium and wider site.

Attendances
Total, average and highest attendances in all competitions. Friendlies are not included.

(Crowd figures from before 2004/5 are often estimated and incomplete and are therefore unreliable.)

Clubs and Schools
Cardiff Rugby are responsible for assisting the development of rugby in an area covering five unitary authorities: City of Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Merthyr and southern Powys. This area includes 76 community clubs, 61 secondary schools and 320 Primary schools.

Tref-y-Clawdd RFC in Knighton on the border with Shropshire is the most northerly rugby club within this area, but the majority of clubs are based within the population centres of Cardiff and the communities to the immediate north and west of the city. They include Welsh Premiership clubs Cardiff RFC, Merthyr RFC and Pontypridd RFC plus WRU Championship clubs Beddau RFC, Rumney RFC, St.Peters RFC, Cardiff Metropolitan University RFC, Glamorgan Wanderers RFC and Ystrad Rhondda RFC.

The club has close links with Coleg y Cymoedd, Cardiff and Vale College, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf and Whitchurch High School, with all four playing in the WRU's elite Schools and Colleges League. The club has also formed a partnership with the fee paying Christ College Brecon and has formed links with Hartpury College in Gloucestershire.

The area also includes Cardiff Metropolitan University and Cardiff University, both leading University teams competing in BUCS Super Rugby in addition to the University of South Wales. Cardiff Academy players are often also students at these three universities.

Community Foundation
Cardiff Rugby Community Foundation are the charitable, not for profit community arm of the organisation. The Foundation delivers a range of programmes aimed at using rugby to make an impact upon communities both socially and economically.

Programmes include schools workshops, player visits, discounted rugby kits and rugby camps.

Age Group Rugby and Academy
At Under 16s level, two representative teams are selected (North and South) to compete in the RAG U16 Championship. At Under 18s level, Cardiff Rugby U18 compete in the RAG U18 league against similar teams from Scarlets, Ospreys, Dragons and RGC. Current Cardiff U18 Head Coach is Chad Mutyambizi.

High performing players from the U18 squad are offered Cardiff academy contracts. In recent years, the club has begun offering academy contracts to players at a younger age in an effort to retain players targeted by private schools and clubs in England.

The current Cardiff Academy manager is Gruff Rees who also serves as Director of Rugby of the Cardiff RFC Welsh Premiership team. Past graduates of the Cardiff academy system include Sam Warburton Jamie Roberts Tomos Williams Leigh Halfpenny Ellis Jenkins Josh Navidi and Rhys Patchell.

Ownership and management
Correct as of May 2022

The ownership of Cardiff Rugby Ltd is held by a collection of shareholders, including the majority shareholders (Helford Capital) who assumed the shares of the family of Peter Thomas and other senior directors, Cardiff Athletic Club and numerous minority shareholders including shares managed by the Supporters Trust, CF10.

Notable former Welsh internationals
Players who have represented Wales and have played for Cardiff:

 * Cory Allen
 * Hallam Amos
 * Scott Andrews
 * Gareth Anscombe
 * Aled Brew
 * Gareth Cooper
 * Alex Cuthbert
 * Chris Czekaj
 * Kristian Dacey
 * Bradley Davies
 * Ben Evans
 * Gavin Evans
 * Jarrod Evans
 * Rhys Gill
 * Leigh Halfpenny
 * Iestyn Harris
 * Gavin Henson
 * Cory Hill
 * Tom James
 * Gethin Jenkins
 * Adam Jones
 * Deiniol Jones
 * WillGriff John
 * Tavis Knoyle
 * Dillon Lewis
 * Craig Mitchell
 * Scott Morgan
 * Kirby Myhill
 * Josh Navidi
 * Rhys Patchell
 * Mike Phillips
 * Andy Powell
 * Andries Pretorius
 * Rhys Priestland
 * Craig Quinnell
 * Matthew Rees
 * Richie Rees
 * Jamie Roberts
 * Harry Robinson
 * Jamie Robinson
 * Nicky Robinson
 * Matthew Screech
 * Tom Shanklin
 * Robert Sidoli
 * Robin Sowden-Taylor
 * Ceri Sweeney
 * Gareth Thomas
 * T. Rhys Thomas
 * Sam Warburton
 * Liam Williams
 * Lloyd Williams
 * Martyn Williams
 * Owen Williams
 * Rhys Williams
 * John Yapp

Overseas internationals
The following is a list of Cardiff players who have represented other nations:

British and Irish Lions
The following players have been selected to play for the British and Irish Lions touring squads while playing for Cardiff since 2003.

Club honours

 * Welsh Shield – 2022-23
 * Anglo-Welsh Cup – 2008–09
 * European Challenge Cup (2) – 2009–10 (first Welsh team to win a European Trophy), 2017–18

EPCR milestones
In 2004 Cardiff Blues received the ERC Elite Award for having played 50 games in the Heineken Cup. This record began in 1995 when Cardiff RFC recorded an away draw at Bordeaux, and continued following the reorganisation of Welsh rugby in 2003.

As of 2022, Cardiff Rugby have played 124 matches in European Competition, making them joint 8th (with ASM Clermont Auvergne) on the all-time list.

Rhys Williams has made more appearances for Cardiff in the top tier of European Cup Rugby than any other player with 78 appearances. Martyn Williams appeared 85 times in European competition, with 17 of his appearances coming with Pontypridd RFC.

Rhys Williams is also Cardiff's top try scorer in the competition with 22.

title: Cardiff Rugby


text:
Ōtaki, Chiba

Ōtaki (大多喜町) is a town located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The town is known for its association with Edo period general Honda Tadakatsu, and its prominent castle. , the town had an estimated population of 8,982 in 3820 households and a population density of 69 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 129.87 sqkm, making it the largest of Chiba Prefecture's towns and villages.

Etymology
The name of the town of Ōtaki in the Japanese language is composed of three kanji characters: the first, ō (大), meaning "large", the second, ta (多), meaning "many", and the third, ki (喜), meaning "happiness".

Geography
Ōtaki is a landlocked town in the center of the Bōsō Peninsula, about 35 kilometers from the prefectural capital at Chiba and 60 to 70 kilometers from central Tokyo. The southwest area of Ōtaki is mountainous, with elevations gradually lowering towards the northeast of the town. Approximately 70% of Ōtaki is covered by forest. The Isumi River flows through the town to the northeast, and in the western part of the town the Yōrō River flows to the north. The town extends for about 12 kilometers east to west by about 19 kilometers north to south.

Surrounding municipalities
Chiba Prefecture
 * Ichihara
 * Kimitsu
 * Katsuura
 * Kamogawa
 * Isumi
 * Mutsuzawa
 * Chōnan

Climate
Ōtaki has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Ōtaki is 14.9 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1828 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.5 °C, and lowest in January, at around 5.3 °C.

Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Ōtaki has been decreasing over the past 70 years and is now less than it was a century ago.

Early history
Ōtaki was settled in prehistoric times, as evidenced by the Jōmon period remains in Oikawa. In the Asuka period the Ōtaki region became part of Kazusa Province at the western end of the Tōkaidō region, which was formed as a result of the Taika Reform of 654. In the Sengoku period Ōtaki was established as a castle town, which successively controlled by different regional clans, most notably the Takeda clan and the Toki clan. The Ōtaki region ultimately came under the control of the powerful Awa Province-based Satomi clan in 1544.

Edo Period
In 1590 Tokugawa Ieyasu took control of all of Kazusa Province. Ieyasu granted Ōtaki to his famed general Honda Tadakatsu, and established the Ōtaki Domain as a 100,000 koku feudal domain. Tadakatsu built Ōtaki Castle on the site of the earlier castle and laid out a large-scale castle town. Honda Tadakatsu's placement at Ōtaki was a strong buffer against the military power of the Satomi clan to the south. The ownership of the castle changed hands many times after Honda Tadakatsu's control, but from 1703 the Matsudaira clan held the castle for nine generations. Despite the Matsudaira clan's control of the castle, the majority of the Ōtaki region was controlled as tenryō territory by hatamoto in direct service to the Tokugawa shogunate. In 1609 a Spanish galleon, the San Francisco, ran aground near Ōtaki. The survivors were housed in Ōtaki Castle, and later, the sailors were given a ship by the shogunate to return to Mexico. One of the survivors was Governor General of the Philippines Rodrigo de Vivero, who was subsequently granted an audience with shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Modern Period
After the Meiji Restoration the administrative structure of the region changed frequently. Ōtaki was successively part of Ōtaki Prefecture, then Kisarazu Prefecture, before becoming part of the present-day Chiba Prefecture. On April 1, 1889, under the same administrative reforms, the four villages of Oikawa, Nishihata, Fusamoto, Kamitaki and the town of Ōtaki were formed. The five were brought together to become present-day town of Ōtaki on October 5, 1954.

Government
Ōtaki has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 12 members. Ōtaki, together with the city of Katsuura, contributes one member to the Chiba Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Chiba 11th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy
The economy of Ōtaki was based largely on rice production, forestry, and traditional charcoal production, but after World War II all three industries have declined. The town produces shiitake mushrooms and bamboo shoots as special agricultural products. Tourism has increased as a result of visits to Ōtaki Castle, the Ōtaki Prefectural Forest, and various scenic spots. Golf courses were developed in Ōtaki, but have caused problems with flooding and deforestation.

Education

 * Saniku Gakuin College
 * Ōtaki has two public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Chiba Prefectural Board of Education. The town also has one private middle school.

Community institutions

 * Ōtaki Central Community Center
 * Ōtaki Public Library
 * Marine Center
 * Ōtaki Sports Park
 * Ōtaki Elderly Welfare Center
 * Ōtaki Elderly Nursing Home

Railways
Isumi Railway - Isumi Line Kominato Railway - Kominato Line
 * Shiromigaoka - Ōtaki - Koyamatsu - Higashi-Fusamoto - Kugahara - Fusamoto - Nishihata - Kazusa-Nakano
 * Kazusa-Nakano

Roads and highways

 * , to Ichihara or Tateyama
 * , to Mobara or Futtsu
 * Prefectural Route 27, Mobara-Ōtaki
 * Prefectural Route 32, Ōtaki-Kimitsu
 * Prefectural Route 81, Ichihara-Amatsukominato
 * Prefectural Route 150, Ōtaki-Ichinomiya
 * Prefectural Route 172, Ōtaki-Ichihara Satomi
 * Prefectural Route 177, Katsuura-Ōtaki
 * Prefectural Route 178, Ōtaki Odashiro-Katsuura
 * Prefectural Route 231, Isumi Railroad Ōtaki Station-Ōtaki Koyamatsu

Local attractions

 * Ōtaki Castle, built in 1521 and demolished in 1871. While the stone base of the current structure is the base of the original castle's tenshu, the present building is a reproduction of the original castle tower. It houses the Ōtaki Branch of the Chiba Prefectural Museum.
 * Herb Island
 * Ōtaki Prefectural Forest
 * Yōrō Ravine
 * Awamata Waterfall
 * Ryōgen-ji
 * Myōhōshō-ji
 * Watanabe Historical Residence
 * Central Bōsō Railroad Center

Castle Festival
Ōtaki hosts the Oshiro-matsuri, or castle festival, in September, which involves a parade and various plays and demonstrations on the grounds of one of the town's elementary schools. Representatives from Ōtaki's sister city, Cuernavaca, Mexico, often visit to attend the festival.

Sister city relations

 * 🇲🇽 – Cuernavaca, Mexico, since August 3, 1978

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Ōtaki, Chiba


text:
Isumi

Isumi (いすみ市) is a city located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 37,206 in 17,004 households and a population density of 240 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 157.44 sqkm.

Geography
Isumi is located on the east coast of southern Chiba Prefecture, on the Bōsō Peninsula. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east, and enjoys a temperate maritime climate, with short, cool winters and hot, humid summers due to the effects of the Kuroshio Current offshore. The area is noted for its beach resorts, which are at the end of the Kujūkuri Beach area, and the landscape consists of rolling, sandy hills. The Isumi River, a small river which runs through this portion of the peninsula, empties into the Pacific Ocean at Misaki. Parts of the city are within the Minami Bōsō Quasi-National Park. Mount Arakine is the highest point in the city, with an elevation of 157.8 meters. The city is approximately 45 kilometers from the prefectural capital of Chiba and 70 to 80 kilometers from central Tokyo.

Surrounding municipalities
Chiba Prefecture
 * Ichinomiya
 * Katsuura
 * Mutsuzawa
 * Ōtaki
 * Onjuku

Climate
Isumi has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Isumi is 15.4 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1834 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.8 °C, and lowest in January, at around 6.0 °C.

Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Isumi has declined in recent decades

History
Isumi is part of ancient Kazusa Province. The place name is very ancient, appearing even in the Nihon Shoki, which mentions the area as the source of abalone and pearls for the Yamato court during the reign of the Kofun period Emperor Ankan. During the Edo period, the area was mostly tenryō territory ruled by various hatamoto on behalf of the Tokugawa shogunate. The village of Kuniyoshi was established within Isumi District, Chiba with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. It was raised to town status on September 22, 1894. The town of Isumi was established on April 29, 1955 from the merger of Kuniyoshi Town with the neighboring villages of Nakagawa and Chimachi.

The city of Isumi was created on December 5, 2005 when the former town of Isumi absorbed the neighboring towns of Misaki and Ōhara (all from Isumi District).

Government
Isumi has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members. Isumi contributes one member to the Chiba Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Chiba 11th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy
The local economy is dominated by commercial fishing. Ise-ebi, a species of spiny lobster, is a notable product of Isumi, as are sardines and Japanese amberjack. The middle reaches of the Isumi River provide irrigation for extensive paddy fields for rice production in Isumi. The area also produces tomatoes and cucumbers. The economy is supplemented by the summer tourist traffic to the local beach resorts. The border between Ichinomiya and Isumi City starts at the southern end of the 60-km Kujūkuri Beach adjacent to Taito port. Taito beach and areas to the north are noted surfing areas. The surfing competition at the 2020 Olympic Games will be held at Shidashita Beach just north of Isumi.

Education
Isumi has ten public elementary schools and three public middle schools operated by the city government, and one public high school operated by the Chiba Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped.

Transportation
Isumi is approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes from Tokyo Station by limited express train via Ōhara Station on the JR East Sotobō Line. Ōhara Station is also the connecting point for the JR East Sotobō Line and the Isumi Railway Company Isumi Line, which connects the Pacific Coast of east Chiba Prefecture to the interior areas of the Bōsō Peninsula.

Railway
JR East – Sotobō Line – Isumi Railway Company - Isumi Line
 * Taitō - Chōjamachi - Mikado - Ōhara - Namihana
 * Ōhara - Nishi-Ōhara - Kazusa-Azuma - Nittano - Kuniyoshi - Kazusa-Nakagawa

Local attractions

 * Cape Taitō Lighthouse, Cape Taitō, Misaki
 * Kiyomizu-dera (Isumi, Chiba) - one of the Bandō Sanjūsankasho Buddhist temples

Notable people from Isumi

 * Akemi Masuda, marathon runner
 * Kasuganishiki Takahiro, sumo wrestler
 * Yoshiharu Tsuge, manga artist

Sister city relations

 * 🇺🇸 - Duluth, Minnesota, USA, since October 3, 1990 (with former Ōhara Town)
 * 🇺🇸 - Woburn, Massachusetts, USA, since August 29, 1985 (with former Isumi Town)
 * 🇺🇸 - Waupun, Wisconsin, USA, since 1997

title: Isumi


text:
Onjuku

Onjuku (御宿町) is a town located in Chiba, Japan. , the town had an estimated population of 7,523 in 3683 households and a population density of 300 persons per km2. The total area o the town is 24.86 sqkm. The name of the town is made of two kanji characters: the first 御 meaning "honorable", and the second 宿 meaning "residence".

Geography
Onjuku is located on the east coast of southern Chiba Prefecture in approximately the center of the outer coast of the Bōsō Peninsula. The landscape consists of rolling, sandy hills of the Bōsō Hill Range, and the town is noted for its beach resorts. Its broad beaches are protected as part of the Minami Bōsō Quasi-National Park. The town is about 50 kilometers from the prefectural capital at Chiba, and 70 to 80 kilometers from central Tokyo. Onjuku faces Ajiro Bay, which has two functional ports: the Port of Iwawada to the north, and the Port of Onjuku to the south. One small river, the Kiyomizu River, flows through the town to Ajiro Bay.

Surrounding municipalities
Chiba Prefecture
 * Isumi (to the west and north)
 * Katsuura (to the south)

Climate
Onjuku has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Onjuku is 15.1 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1904 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.5 °C, and lowest in January, at around 5.8 °C.

Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Onjuku has been gradually decreasing over the past 70 years.

Early history
Onjuku is part of ancient Kazusa Province. The pines and sand of Ajiro Bay in Onjuku were referenced in a poem by Hōjō Tokiyori (1227–1263), a Kamakura-period administrator.

Edo Period
Onjuku, from the Muromachi to the Edo period, was divided into a complex mixture of administrative areas. Much of the town was tenryō territory ruled by various hatamoto on behalf of the Shōgun. The town was typically associated with administrators from the Ōtaki and Iwatsuki domains. In the Edo period a prominent “rokusai’ichi” (六斎市) market, or open-air market held on fixed days six times a month, developed in Onjuku.

Landing of Rodrigo de Vivero
In 1609 a Spanish galleon, the San Francisco, ran aground near Onjuku. The captain and 300 survivors were cared for by the town, and later, the sailors were given a ship by the Tokugawa shogunate to return to Mexico. One of the survivors was Governor General of the Philippines Rodrigo de Vivero, who was subsequently granted an audience with shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu. In 1928 a tower was built in Onjuku to commemorate the landing of Rodrigo and friendly relations between Mexico, Spain, and Japan. It has since been designated a Prefectural Historic Monument (県指定史跡 (ken shitei shiseki)), and is surrounded by an extensive garden complex.

Current administration
The village of Onjuku was created on April 1, 1889, with the early Meiji period establishment of the municipalities system, and was elevated to town status on April 1, 1914. The town expanded through annexation of areas of the neighboring villages of Fuse and Namihana on March 1, 1955.

Government
Onjuku has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 12 members. Onjuku, together with the city of Isumi contributes one member to the Chiba Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the town is part of Chiba 11th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy
The economy of Onjuku is dominated by summer tourism and commercial fishing; agriculture plays a relatively small role in the economy compared to nearby municipalities. Commercial coastal and off-shore fishing operations are active, with squid and bonito being the most important catches. Ama, or traditional women divers, gather abalone, turban shell (sazae), and spiny lobster, all important parts of the traditional Japanese diet.

The sandy beaches of Onjuku are the representative swimming areas of the Sotobōsō Coast and attract numerous tourists during the summer months. Tourism in the town began in the Meiji period, and development of the tourism industry continues. Numerous guests houses, ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), and hotels have developed in the area.

Education
Onjuku has one public elementary school and one public middle school operated by the town government. The town also has one private elementary school and one private high school.

Sports
Due to the infrastructure and sandy beach with good surf conditions, the locality holds the yearly national surf carnival of the Japan Lifesaving Association, in which surf lifesavers gather from all clubs over the country. In 2013, the worldwide 2013 International Surf Rescue Challenge is held here.

Railway
JR East –  Sotobō Line
 * Onjuku

Sister city relations

 * 🇲🇽 – Acapulco, Mexico, since August 7, 1978.
 * 🇲🇽 – Tecamachalco, Puebla, Mexico

title: Onjuku


text:
Ōhara, Chiba

Ōhara (大原町) was a town located in Isumi District, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

Ōhara was formed on March 31, 1955 by the merger of the villages of Tōkai, Azuma and Namihana.

On December 5, 2005, Ōhara was merged into the towns of Isumi (former) and Misaki (both from Isumi District), to create the city of Isumi, and thus no longer exists as an independent municipality.

In November 2005 (the last data available before its merger into Isumi), the town had an estimated population of 20,518 and a population density of 308 persons per km2. Its total area was 66.61 km2.

The town's economy was largely based on commercial fishing.

The town was a sister city of Duluth, Minnesota in the United States.

title: Ōhara, Chiba


text:
Misaki, Chiba

Misaki (岬町) was a town located in Isumi District, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

Misaki was formed on August 1, 1961, by the merger of the towns of Chōjamachi and Taitō.

On December 5, 2005, Misaki was merged into the towns of Isumi (former) and Ōhara (both from Isumi District), to create the city of Isumi, and thus no longer exists as an independent municipality.

In 2005 (the last data available before its merger into Isumi), the town had an estimated population of 15,273 and a density of 327.3 persons per km2. Its total area was 46.66 km2.

The town's economy was largely based on commercial fishing.

title: Misaki, Chiba


text:
Isumi District

Isumi District (夷隅郡) is a district located in Chiba, Japan. As of 2010, the district has an estimated population of 18,593 and a density of 120 persons per km2. The total area was 154.76 km2. The district formerly included all of the city of Katsuura, most of the city of Isumi and a portion of the town of Mutsuzawa. It has been reduced in size through mergers and consolidation to two towns. The district is located in the outer zone of Metropolitan Tokyo, roughly 70 km from the center of the capital.

Towns and villages

 * Onjuku
 * Ōtaki

Early history
Isumi District was one of the ancient districts of Kazusa Province. The district was named after the Isumi River, which runs from the mountainous areas of Katsuura to the south of Kujūkuri Beach on the Pacific Ocean. The district is mentioned in Nara-period chronicles under various names, usually as Ishimi (伊志美). The Nihon Shoki records the area as Ijimi no Kuni (伊甚国), and the Kojiki as Ijimu (伊自牟). In the ancient period the district bordered Mōda and Unakami districts to the west, and Habu and Nagara districts to the north. In the Heian period (794–1185) the district was divided into two shōen estates; one to the north, and one to the south. Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147–1199) drew soldiers from both shōen estates with the assistance of the local warlord Kazusa Hirotsune (?–1184). Yoritomo went on to found the Kamakura Shogunate. Manki Castle and Ōtaki Castle were built in this period. Kuniyoshi, once a village and now part of Isumi City, became a noted market town in this period, and a rokusai-ichi, or market held six days of the month, is held to this day. By the end of the Sengoku period (1467–1573) the district had been variously controlled by the Toki, Hōjō, and Satomi clans. The Satomi ceded the area to Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582) in 1590.

Edo period
The name of Isumi District was standardized to its present kanji and pronunciation by the Edo period. Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616), as part of the wider unification of Japan, entered the Kantō region in 1590 and awarded the Isumi District to a trusted general Honda Tadakatsu (1548–1610). Under the Tokugawa shogunate, the minor feudal domain of Ōtaki Domain, controlled by Honda Tadakatsu from Ōtaki Castle, controlled 18 villages within the district, with another 57 villages under the control of other domains (including one village belonging to Nitta Domain in Tosa Province). The remaining 108 villages were tenryō under direct control of the central government and administered by various hatamoto, or samurai in the direct service of the Tokugawa shogunate. The Edo period was marked by the extensive development of rice paddy land in the district.

Modern period
In the post Meiji Restoration cadastral reform, the area came under the control of Chiba Prefecture and on April 1, 1889, was divided into two towns (Ōtaki and Asahi) and 21 villages. Katsuura was elevated to town status on March 12, 1890, Kuniyoshi (future Chōjamachi) on September 22, 1893, Ōhara on December 2, 1899, Onjuku on April 1, 1914, and Okitsu on January 1, 1921. The town of Isumi was created on April 29, 1954, through the merger of Chōjamachi with neighboring villages, and the town of Taitō was created in December of the same year. Katsuura was elevated to city status on October 1, 1958. Taitō and Chōjamachi merged to form the town of Misaki on August 1, 1961, leaving the district with five towns.

On December 5, 2005, the towns of Isumi, Misaki and Ōhara merged to form the city of Isumi, leave the district with only two remaining towns.

title: Isumi District


text: User talk:195.250.96.11

title: User talk:195.250.96.11


text:
Tomiura, Chiba

Tomiura (富浦町) was a town located in Awa District, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

As of March 20, 2006, the town had an estimated population of 5,698 and a density of 221 persons per km2. The total area was 25.69 km2.

Geography
Tomiura was located at the southwest end of Chiba Prefecture, facing the entrance to Tokyo Bay on the Pacific Ocean. The town had a temperate maritime climate with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters.

History
Tomiura Village was created on April 1, 1889 within Hei District, which became part of Awa District from April 1, 1897. Tomiura became a town on April 11, 1933. On March 31, 1955, Tomiura absorbed the neighboring village of Yatsuka.

On March 20, 2006, Tomiura, along with the towns of Chikura, Maruyama, Shirahama, Tomiyama and Wada, and the village of Miyoshi (all from Awa District), was merged to create the city of Minamibōsō.

Economy
The economy of Tomiua was largely based on commercial fishing, horticulture (primarily loquats, and summer tourism.

Highway

 * Japan National Route 127

Railway

 * JR East – Uchibō Line
 * Tomiura

title: Tomiura, Chiba


text:
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title: User talk:212.238.143.99


text:
Dawei

Dawei  (, ; ဓဝဲါ, ; ทวาย, RTGS: Thawai, ; formerly known as Tavoy) is a city in south-eastern Myanmar and is the capital of the Tanintharyi Region, formerly known as the Tenasserim Division, on the northern bank of the Dawei River. The city is about 614.3 km southeast of Yangon. Its population (2014 estimate) is 146,964. Dawei is a port at the head of the Dawei River estuary, 30 km. from the Andaman Sea. As a result, the city is prone to flooding during the monsoon season. "Dawei" is also the name of one of Myanmar's 135 ethnic minorities.

Etymology
Dawei derives from the Mon language term hawai (ထဝဲါ; ), which means 'to sit cross-legged', in reference to the Buddha's sitting posture on the palin (throne).

History
The area around the Dawei River estuary has been inhabited for centuries by Dawei, Mon, Kayin, and Thai mariners.

As the ancient site, Sagara City, old Dawei, which is approximately 6 miles north of the present city, has so many traces of Pyu culture, it was recognized as one of the province capitals in the ancient Pyu era.

From the 11th to the 13th centuries, Dawei was part of the Pagan Empire. From 1287 to 1564, Dawei became part of the Sukhothai Kingdom and its successor, the Ayutthaya Kingdom (Siam). From 1564 to 1594, Dawei was part of the Toungoo Kingdom of Burma. Siam temporarily regained the city between 1594 and 1614. From 1614 to the 1740s, Dawei was the southernmost city under Burmese authority and was defended by a Burmese garrison. In the late 1740s, during the Burmese civil war of 1740–1757, Dawei, along with the northern Tenasserim coast, was taken over by Siam. Burma regained the city in 1760 and extended its control over the entire Tenasserim coast, in 1765. The Tenasserim coast was ceded to the British after the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–1826).

After independence in 1948, the city became part of the Tenasserim Division, which also included today's Mon State. In 1974, Mon State was carved out of Tenasserim and Dawei became the capital of the truncated division. In 1989, the city's English name was changed from Tavoy to Dawei, and Tenasserim became Tanintharyi.

Climate
Dawei features an extreme tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification Am), similar to Sittwe further north-west. There is a substantial dry season from November to March, but in the wet season the influence of local mountains causes Dawei to receive as much as 1300 mm precipitation per month. Apart from the Chocó region of Colombia, and the area around Mount Cameroon in Africa, it is possibly the wettest lowland tropical region in the world.

Transport

Only recently was Dawei connected to the rest of Myanmar by road and rail. A transnational highway and a railway line across the Tenasserim Hills connecting Dawei and Bangkok are planned if a proposed deep water port project goes ahead. This port could significantly reduce Singapore-bound traffic when completed.

Dawei Airport
The airport serves as the domestic airport for the city of Dawei and the neighbouring towns. The government plans to upgrade the airport to serve as a hub for tourism.

Dawei Railway Station
It is the southernmost station and terminus in Myanmar. However the railway was partly constructed for a further 40 km approximately to the south towards Min Dat bridge and south Myanmar. Work ceased on this line in about 2012 but several partly constructed sections with bridges over rivers are visible on Google Earth.

Economy
There are plans to construct a deep water port in Dawei. In November 2010, the Myanmar Port Authority signed a US$8.6 billion deal with Italian-Thai Development to develop the seaport at Dawei. The Dawei Special Economic Zone would become Myanmar's first special economic zone (SEZ), which includes plans to develop a 250 km2 industrial estate, with sea, land (railway and road) infrastructure links to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, as well as a gas pipeline to Thailand's Kanchanaburi Province and commercial and residential developments.

The development of the SEZ has been linked to land confiscations and land grabs from farmers of upwards of 63,768 acre (direct) and 153,919 acre, potentially displacing 500,000 Dawei natives. The project has been opposed by a significant portion of the local ethnic population.

Dawei longyis (sarong) are one of the area's well-known products. The area produces rubber, dried fish, and teakwood. It also produces cashew nuts and betel nuts and exports them through local traders to China, India, and Thailand. Dawei is also known for its variety of tropical fruits such as pineapples, a variety of mangoes, mangosteens, and durian. There is one fruit called zin thi (in Dawei language), which can only be found in Dawei and surrounding areas.

Higher education

 * Dawei Education College
 * Dawei University
 * Technological University, Dawei
 * Computer University, Dawei
 * Government Agricultural Institute, Dawei
 * Nursing Training School

Notable sites

 * Maungmagan Beach
 * Maungmagan Hot Springs
 * Shwe Taung Sar Pagoda, Payagyi
 * Pe Hot Springs
 * Launglon Bok Islands
 * Paradise Beach
 * Grand Father Beach
 * Sin Htauk Beach
 * Wa Zwam Chaung Waterfall and hot springs
 * Ka Lone Htar Creek
 * Sargara Ancient City (Old town of the present Dawei)
 * Mokhti Ancient City
 * Thayet Chaung Waterfall

Notable residents

 * Ba Swe, 2nd Prime Minister of Union of Burma
 * Richard Bartholomew
 * Ngwe Gaing, Burmese artist
 * Ma Chit Po, only woman to be awarded the Thura Medal

title: Dawei


text:
Tomiyama, Chiba

Tomiyama (富山町) was a town located in Awa District, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

As of March 20, 2006, the town had an estimated population of 5,841 and a density of 145 persons per km2. The total area was 40.34 km2.

Geography
Tomiyama was located at the southwest end of Chiba Prefecture, in an inland area of the southern Bōsō Peninsula, with a small shoreline facing the entrance to Tokyo Bay on the Pacific Ocean. The town had a temperate maritime climate with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters.

History
The area around Tomiyama was the setting of the Nansō Satomi Hakkenden, an epic novel by Edo period author Kyokutei Bakin. Tomiyama Town was created on February 11, 1955, from the merger of former Iwai Town and Heguri Village.

On March 20, 2006, Tomiyama, along with the towns of Chikura, Maruyama, Shirahama, Tomiura and Wada, and the village of Miyoshi (all from Awa District), was merged to create the city of Minamibōsō.

Economy
The economy of Tomiyama was largely based on horticulture (primarily herbs and flowers), and summer tourism.

Highway

 * Japan National Route 127

Railway

 * JR East – Uchibō Line
 * Iwai

title: Tomiyama, Chiba


text: Template:United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest


text: User talk:203.57.44.161

title: User talk:203.57.44.161


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Kyonan

Kyonan (鋸南町) is a town located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. , the town had an estimated population of 7,409 in 3543 households and a population density of 160 persons per km². The total area of the city is 45.16 sqkm.

Geography
Kyonan is located in southwestern Bōsō Peninsula, about 60 kilometers from the prefectural capital at Chiba and 60 to 70 kilometers from central Tokyo. Facing the Tokyo Bay coast, the inland mountainous area is part of the Bōsō Hill Range. At the southern end is Nishigasaki, which juts out into the Uraga Channel. The coastline is rugged and has fishing ports such as Yasuda and Katsuyama. There are also many islands and reefs. The town extends approximately 10.75 kilometers east to west by 7.3 kilometers north and south. The coastal portion of the town is within the boundaries of the Minami Bōsō Quasi-National Park.

Neighboring municipalities
Chiba Prefecture
 * Futtsu
 * Kamogawa
 * Minamibōsō

Climate
Kyonan has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Kyonan is 15.2 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1804 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.1 °C, and lowest in January, at around 5.4 °C.

Demographics
Per Japanese census data, the population of Kyonan has declined by more than half over the past 70 years.

History
The area of present-day Kyonan was part of ancient Awa Province. The villages of Katayama and Ota were established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Katsuyama was raised to town status in January 1896 and Hota in January 1897. The town of Kyonan was formed by the merger of Katsuyama and Hota on March 30, 1959. With the creation of the city of Minamibōsō in 2006, Kyonan is the only remaining unincorporated portion of Awa District.

Government
Kyonan has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 12 members. Kyonan, together with the city of Minamibōsō, contributes one member to the Chiba Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Chiba 12th district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy
Kyonan serves as a commercial center for the surrounding region of southwest-central Chiba Prefecture. The primary industry is commercial fishing and agriculture (rice and flowers). Mount Saga has been used for narcissus cultivation at least from the Edo period 1603–1868, and Kyonan remains one of the largest producers of the flower in Japan. The tourist industry is a growing component of the local economy.

Education
Kyonan has one public elementary school, Kyonan Elementary School (鋸南小学校); and one public junior high school, Kyonan Junior High School (鋸南中学校), operated by the town government. The former Katsuyama Elementary School (勝山小学校) and Yasuda Elementary School (保田小学校) merged into Kyonan Elementary in 2014, with the Katsuyama building becoming the Kyonan Elementary building.

The town does not have a high school; however, the Chiba Prefectural Board of Education operates one special education school for the handicapped.

Hota Shiosai Elementary School (保田しおさい学校) is physically located in Kyonan, but it is a municipally-operated school by Katsushika City, Tokyo.

Railway
JR East – Uchibō Line
 * Hota – Awa-Katsuyama

Noted people

 * Hishikawa Moronobu (1618–1694), ukiyoe artist of the Edo period, was born in the village of Hodomura in present-day Kyonan. The Hishikawa family practiced dyeing and a gold and silver-thread embroidery in the area. The Hishikawa Moronobu Memorial Hall was built in Kyonan to commemorate his life and work.

Local attractions

 * Mount Nokogiri
 * Nihon-ji temple complex
 * Narcissus fields on Mount Saga
 * Hota Beach, visited by Natsume Sōseki in 1899
 * Hishikawa Moronobu Memorial Hall

title: Kyonan


text: User talk:66.229.184.99

title: User talk:66.229.184.99


text:
Miyoshi, Chiba

Miyoshi (三芳村) was a village located in Awa District, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

As of March 20, 2006, the village had an estimated population of 4,560 and a density of 135 persons per km2. The total area was 33.92 km2.

Geography
Shirahama was located at southern end of Chiba Prefecture, at the southern extremity of Bōsō Peninsula. It was an inland area, without access to the Pacific Ocean. The town had a temperate maritime climate with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters.

History
The name Miyoshi appears in Nara period records, and is believed to be the location of the original provincial capital of ancient Awa Province. The area is also part of the setting of the Edo period epic novel Nansō Satomi Hakkenden by Kyokutei Bakin.

The modern village of Miyoshi was created on May 1, 1953 through the merger of the villages of Takuta, Kokufu, and Inamiya.

On March 20, 2006, Miyoshi, along with the towns of Chikura, Maruyama, Shirahama, Tomiura, Tomiyama and Wada (all from Awa District), was merged to create the city of Minamibōsō.

Economy
The economy of Shirahama was largely based on farming and horticulture (primarily oranges).

title: Miyoshi, Chiba


text:
Shirahama, Chiba

Shirahama (白浜町) was a town located in Awa District, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

As of October 1, 2004, the town had an estimated population of 6,027 and a density of 353 persons per km2. The total area was 17.07 km2.

Geography
Shirahama was located at very southern end of Chiba Prefecture, at the southern extremity of Bōsō Peninsula, facing the Pacific Ocean. The town had a temperate maritime climate with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters.

History
Shirahama Village was created on April 1, 1889, within Asai District, which became part of Awa District from April 1, 1897. It became a town on April 1, 1933.

On March 20, 2006, Shirahama, along with the towns of Chikura, Maruyama, Tomiura, Tomiyama and Wada, and the village of Miyoshi (all from Awa District), was merged to create the city of Minamibōsō.

Prior to the merger, Shirahama was known as Shirahama-machi in Japanese. Subsequently, it has become known as Shirahama-cho. Both "machi" and "cho" are written the same way in Japanese, but the different pronunciations convey the information that Shirahama is now a neighborhood within Minamibōsō rather than its own municipality.

Economy
The economy of Shirahama was largely based on commercial fishing, horticulture (primarily herbs and flowers), and summer tourism.

Local attractions

 * Nojimazaki Lighthouse

title: Shirahama, Chiba


text:
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Chikura, Chiba

Chikura (千倉町) was a town located in Awa District, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

As of October 1, 2004, the town had an estimated population of 12,527 and a density of 342 persons per km2. The total area was 36.64 km2.

Geography
Chikura was located at southern end of Chiba Prefecture, at the southeast extremity of Bōsō Peninsula, facing the Pacific Ocean. The town had a temperate maritime climate with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters.

Chikura is the cable landing point for several submarine communications cables. The Chikura cable station is next to Setohama beach and lands:
 * APCN 2
 * C2C
 * CUCN
 * FASTER
 * Unity

History
Asai Village was created on April 1, 1889 within Asai District, which became part of Awa District from April 1, 1897. It became a town on June 25, 1900, and was renamed Chikura on October 1, 1920. The town expanded through merger with Nanaura, Takeda, and Chitose villages in 1954.

On March 20, 2006, Chikura, along with the towns of Maruyama, Shirahama, Tomiura, Tomiyama and Wada, and the village of Miyoshi (all from Awa District), was merged to create the city of Minamibōsō.

Economy
The economy of Chikura was largely based on commercial fishing, horticulture (primarily herbs and flowers), and summer tourism.

Highway

 * Japan National Route 128
 * Japan National Route 410

Railway

 * JR East – Uchibō Line
 * Chikura - Chitose

Local events
The area has an annual summer festival, Chikura Matsuri. The only Shinto shrine in town is Takabe-jinja Shrine, which is devoted to the God of Cooking. Twice a year, a special ceremony is held where a fish is cleaned and prepared without being touched by the priests' hands.

The Minamibōsō Two Day Flower Walk is held every first weekend of March. In this framework, there is a close relationship and exchange program with the city of Blankenberge, Belgium, and the link Two Day March of Flanders. In the summer the area is a very popular place as beach resort and surfing.

title: Chikura, Chiba


text: User talk:203.45.230.188

title: User talk:203.45.230.188


text:
Maruyama, Chiba

Maruyama (丸山町) was a town located in Awa District, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

As of August 1, 2004, the town had an estimated population of 5,780 and a density of 131 persons per km2. The total area was 44.11 km2.

Geography
Maruyama was located at the southeast end of Chiba Prefecture, in an inland area of the southern Bōsō Peninsula, with a small shoreline facing the Pacific Ocean. The town had a temperate maritime climate with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters.

History
Maruyama Town was created on March 15, 1955 from the merger of former Maru Village, Toyota Village and a portion of Chikura Town. It expanded on September 1, 1956 through the annexation of a portion of former Minamihara Village.

On March 20, 2006, Maruyama, along with the towns of Chikura, Shirahama, Tomiura, Tomiyama and Wada, and the village of Miyoshi (all from Awa District), was merged to create the city of Minamibōsō.

Economy
The economy of Maruyama was largely based on horticulture (primarily herbs and flowers), and summer tourism. Until 2020 it had a Shakespeare Country Park.

Highway

 * Japan National Route 128
 * Japan National Route 410

title: Maruyama, Chiba


text:
Wada, Chiba

Wada (和田町) was a town located in Awa District, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

As of March 20, 2006, the town had an estimated population of 5,717 and a density of 176 persons per km2. The total area was 32.45 km2.

Geography
Wada was located at the southeast end of Chiba Prefecture, facing the Pacific Ocean. The town had a temperate maritime climate with hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters.

History
Wada Village was created on April 1, 1889 within Asai District, which became part of Awa District from April 1, 1897. Wada became a town on March 13, 1899. On March 31, 1955, Wada absorbed the neighboring village of Kitamihara, and on September 1, 1956 expanded further through annexation of most of the neighboring village of Minamihara.

On March 20, 2006, Wada, along with the towns of Chikura, Maruyama, Shirahama, Tomiura and Tomiyama, and the village of Miyoshi (all from Awa District), was merged to create the city of Minamibōsō.

Economy
The economy of Wada was largely based on commercial fishing, horticulture (primarily loquats, and summer tourism.

Highway

 * Japan National Route 128

Railway

 * JR East – Uchibō Line
 * Minamihara - Wadaura

title: Wada, Chiba