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Rugby League In Germany





HISTORY

Rugby League was formally introduced into Germany in August 2004 with the formation of Rugby League Deutschland. Prior to that it had been played informally by players from English-speaking associations such as British servicemen and students.

The first ever game didn't take place until nearly 12 months later when on the 23rd July the Heidelberg Sharks beat München RLFC 72-64 in a 9-a-side Game played in Heidelberg. Since then clubs such as Bad Reichenhall {Link without Title} and Innsbruck have also played matches.

In addition to this rugby league is being played at school boy level in eight schools in the Heidelberg and Heilbronn area of Germany.


TEAMS AND COMPETITIONS

In 2008 the first North / South Domestic season will take place. These will be built around the four established teams that have been playing since 2006;

  • München RLFC

  • Heidelberg Sharks

  • Bad Reichenhall.

  • Frankfurt


There are players from across Germany that through the new format will have the opportunity to experience rugby league in Germany.


POPULARITY

The popularity of rugby league in Germany is rising. Over 80 adult players and over 300 children were introduced to the game in 2006, with these numbers sure to rise over the 2007 season.

The Germans defeat of Austria 34-32 in Bad Reichenhall on 25 June 2006, has done nothing but generate an interest within Germany for the game of rugby league, couple this with the victory over Estonia (24-38pts) in Tallinn and it is hoped rugby league in Germany will continue to grow both domestically and internationally in 2007 and beyond. The captain of the national side is Leo Berngruber and the national coach Uwe Jansen.

International Results:

25.06.06 GERMANY 34-32 Austria (Bad Reichenhall, Germany) European Development Tri-Nations

22.07.06 Estonia 24-38 GERMANY (Tallinn, Estonia) European Development Tri-Nations

07.07.07 GERMANY 06-36 Serbia (Heidelberg, Germany) Shield Tri-Nations

04.08.07 Czech Rep. 22-44 GERMANY (Prague, Czech Rep.) Shield Tri-Nations



























SPONSORS of Rugby League Deutschland include Alpenstoff Beer, Forty-Twenty, Macqaurie Banking Group, Hintsteiner Garage and Steeden.



























BOARD OF RUGBY LEAGUE DEUTSCHLAND

PRESIDENT Simon Cooper

VICE PRESIDENT Leo Berngruber

DIRECTOR OF RUGBY David Griffiths

BOARD MEMBERS Uwe Jansen, Danny Stocks, Anthony Seibold, Lee Grime


EXTERNAL LINKS