Home Nations
As home nations (German literally home nations ) are in English , the four parts of the country of the United Kingdom of England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland respectively. The term is particularly used in sports contexts, as the four parts of the country often have independent associations (for example in football ) that compete against each other internationally. The content of the term can vary slightly in some sports, however: In rugby union, for example, there is no separate Northern Irish federation, but the Irish Rugby Football Union represents Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland together. In these cases all of Ireland is counted among the Home Nations. Athletes from crown holdings of the British Crown may compete for a home nation of their choice.
The term Home Nations was coined in particular in football and rugby union in connection with the British Home Championship and the Home International Championship , which were held annually from 1883 on.
Individual evidence
- ^ Definition of "home nations". Collins Dictionaries online, accessed June 18, 2013 .
- ↑ Jason Tuck: Tries for the nation? International rugby players' perspectives on national identity . In: Joseph Maguire, Mark Falcous (eds.): Sport and migration: Borders, Boundaries and Crossings . Routledge, Abingdon 2011, ISBN 978-0-415-49834-0 , pp. 214 .
- ^ Matt Le Tissier: Swansea City and Southampton stars unfairly overlooked for England. This is South Wales, April 19, 2013, accessed June 18, 2013 .