Rugbull Field
The Rugbull Field is an area of lawn that comprised the majority of the city of Plitvice in the erstwhile Principality of New Eiffel. Shaped like a near-perfect rectangle, the Rugbull Field has an area of 160 square metres (1,722 square feet) and facilitated several recreational activities in the former micronation, such as rugbull, recreational cycling, golfing, running and live action role-playing games. The Rugbull Field permanently had a trampoline and, throughout its existence, multiple swimming pools, tents and other playground equipment have been set-up. Plitvice Bomb Shelter, an air-raid shelter originally built during World War II that was a Grade 2-listed structure by the New Eiffel Registry Ministry, is also located on the field.
The field was depicted as pastureland in a 1761 map by cartographer John Rocque. A property, which eventually became the Main Building in New Eiffel, was constructed in June 1936, and the field became part of said property's garden. On 31 December 2017, the Republic of New Finland—distant predecessor to New Eiffel—was established, which laid claim to the territory on 4 January 2018. The name, Rugbull Field, was adopted that same month after the national sport rugbull had been played there. Following New Eiffel's dissolution on 1 November 2020, the Rugbull Field lost its designation. As of 2023, the field still exists.
Location
The Rugbull Field is a lawn in central New Eiffel that comprised almost the entirety of the city of Plitvice. Shaped like a near-perfect rectangle, the Rugbull Field has an area of 160 square metres (1,722 square feet). It was defined northwards by the New Eiffel Main Route 1, to the east by Seat Square in New Leeds, to the south by the New Eiffel–United Kingdom South Border and to the west by the border with the capital Új Repülő at Dead Tree. New Finland Monument, an apple tree (malus domestica) located in both Plitvice and Új Repülő, marked the end of the Rugbull Field. The J16 crossed the Rugbull Field to its south, and gave way to the J25 which immediately terminated back into the J16.
History
In a 1761 map by cartographer John Rocque the field was depicted as pastureland. A property, which was to become the Main Building in New Eiffel, was constructed in the area in June 1936, and the field became part of said property's garden. It was purchased by the Ures on 20 April 1937, and the air-raid shelter still present today, Plitvice Bomb Shelter, was presumably constructed by them at the outbreak of or during World War II. The New Eiffel Main Route 1, originally a concrete pathway intended solely for walking, was built between 15 January and 20 March 1946. By 1956, the Joneses were residing at the property, followed by the Sharmans by at least 1967. In 2007, the property was purchased by the Smith family.
On 31 December 2017, the Republic of New Finland—distant predecessor to New Eiffel—was established, which laid claim to the territory on 4 January 2018. In early January 2018, Plitvice was established as Smithton. Rugbull, the national sport of New Eiffel, was popularised in February; it was played on the field as said field was the only space large enough within New Eiffel to facilitate such a sport. From this, the name of Rugbull Field arose. In August 2019, this name appeared on New Eiffel Maps—making the name officially recognised by the government. Following New Eiffel's dissolution on 1 November 2020, the Rugbull Field permanently lost its designation. When New Eiffel's former territory, including the Rugbull Field, was briefly succeeded to the Grand Duchy of Australis as the state of New Eiffel between 12 January and 9 September 2021, it was not re-designated. As of 2023, the field still exists.
Use
Plitvice Bomb Shelter, an air-raid shelter originally built during World War II, is located in the southwest of the field. It was a Grade 2-listed structure by the New Eiffel Registry Ministry. N.B.R. Bike Parking fronting the New Eiffel–United Kingdom South Border was located to the southeast. The Rugbull Field permanently had a trampoline. The openness of the Rugbull Field made it an ideal location for recreational activities in the principality; throughout its existence, multiple swimming pools, tents and playground equipment have been set-up on the field. Several sports were also commonly played on the Rugbull Field. All three rugbull tournaments had taken place there. Other sports included recreational cycling, golfing, running and live action role-playing games.