Sports in Aruba
Life in Aruba
Aruba is a 19 mile long island located in the southern Caribbean sea. There culture has developed from an increase in tourism due to the natural beauty of the island. In turn, this has led to an increased following for their recreational activities from sports such as basketball and soccer to their more native pastimes such as kite surfing and spearfishing. Aruba now has a nationally ranked soccer team, and produces many successful athletes that come to the United States to follow their passions.
Recreational Sports
Aruba, due to the increase in revenue on the island from tourism, has been able to invest more into their sports programs. Unlike in previous years, Aruba now has a competitive recreational basketball team. Their sports fishing and kite surfing industries have also grown a big following, not only due to the beauty of the island, but also the great qualities it and its people have to offer. Citizens of Aruba are also very competitive in baseball and soccer.
Basketball
[1] Aruba's recreational basketball program consists of 16 teams and more than 200 players from the ages of 12 to 18. Basketball clubs have largely contributed to the development of the sport on the island. One of the main objectives of the program is to eventually get one of their athletes an academic scholarship to play in the United States. Aruba is also making efforts to certify one of their referees for international FIBA events.
Baseball
[2]Baseball is one of the most popular sports on the island and has helped produce many star athletes that go to the States to continue their success. Baseball as a recreational sport originated in the 1930's and many people have grown a passion for it through the years. It has produced many star athletes like Eugene Humphrey Kingsale, he has played for a number of professional baseball teams in his 7 year span from 1996-2003. Aruba little league originated in 1958, and has continued to grow in popularity since then.
Kite boarding
[3]The conditions in Aruba are perfectly suited for Kite boarding year-round. The island has a favorable 16mph trade wind pretty much every day. Also, the warm air is less dense than other locations, so surfers can use smaller kites than normal for the same wind speeds. Aruba hosts many global Kite boarding tournaments, and the revenue from these tournaments helps develop the island. The Kite boarding industry is one of the largest sources of income to the island.
Diving/Scuba Diving
[1]Aruba's crystal clear waters make for great diving year round. Aruba has many well known diving locations across the island that tourists and locals go to year round. Shallow Reef is found in the Northwestern corner of the island and is a great place for more advanced divers. Due to its very strong currents. Many of the diving locations are perfectly suitable for beginners. Like, "Antilla" this giant ship was purposefully sunk on May 10th, 1940, when Germans invaded Holland during the Second World War. It's well over 400 feet long, it is one of the largest wrecks in the Caribbean. The island offers many other great diving spots including Perdernales, Jane Sea Wreck, Serito Pinnacle, and many of the Airplane wrecks.
National Ranked Sports
[2]Aruba doesn't have many nationally ranked sports but soccer is nationally ranked on the island. The team has been affiliated with FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association).
Aruba’s National Soccer Team
The men’s Aruban national team was founded in 1932 and participated in there first international match on April 6th, 1924. They have had very little success in their career but are making progress by looking to qualify for a World Cup. The Aruban national team’s most recent FIFA rank is 203, which is their lowest rank in history, while their highest FIFA rank was 50 in 1924. Their home stadium is named the Guillermo Prospero Trinidad Stadium and is a multi-purpose stadium located in Oranjestad, Aruba. The name of the stadium was originally named after the former Dutch queen Wilhelmina, but was changed to Guillermo Prospero Trinidad Stadium in 1994.
The women’s Aruban national team’s current head coach is Mildred Wever and much like the men’s team they have not qualified for a World Cup, but are progressing towards that goal. Their current FIFA ranking is 153 and their lowest FIFA ranking is 158, but their highest FIFA ranking is 92 in 2009. Both team’s are apart of an association named Arubaanse Voetbal Bond and both of the team’s confederation is CONCACAF.
Aruba At The Olympics
In the past Aruban athletes have competed in the Olympic’s as part of the Netherlands, but finally went on there own in 1986. Aruba has competed in 9 summer Olympic Games, but have not found any success in the games. The top Olympian for Aruba is Miguel Johnson, he holds the country’s record in most long distance event’s. He participated for Aruba in the 1996 summer games, as well as participated in 6 different world championships for Aruba. Unlike the summer games Aruba has not participated in any winter games.
Local Sports Facilities In Aruba
There are not many sports facilities in Aruba, but that doesn’t stop the locals from exercising. There are few facilities such as, Don Elias Mansur Ballpark is a multi-use stadium and is used mainly for baseball games. The stadium used by the National soccer team and track and field teams is named the Guillermo Prospero Trinidad Stadium. Another local facility in Aruba is named the Tierra Del Sol Resort, Spa and Country Club and is the only 18 hole golf course in Aruba.
- ^ a b "FIBA.basketball". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
- ^ a b "Aruba Little League". Aruba Little League. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
- ^ "Kiteworld Magazine | The original international kitesurfing magazine". Kiteworld Magazine | The original international kitesurfing magazine. Retrieved 2020-03-06.