Albanian Rugby League

Last updated
Albanian Rugby League
Club information
Full nameAlbanian Rugby League
Nickname(s)The Eagles
Short nameARL
ColoursRed and Black
Founded2017
Website https://albaniarl.wordpress.com/
Current details
CoachPeter Grayburn
ManagerAlan Vernon
CaptainShaban Penxho

Albanian Rugby League (ARL) represents Albania in international rugby league tournaments, as well as organizes domestic competitions, and undertakes development projects. Rugby league is a new sport in Albania, which has been officially registered since 2017. The popularity of rugby league is struggling for attention in the national media. However, since the creation of the ARL national team and the introduction of Tirana Rugby Club (founded in 2013) in the Greek championship, coverage has increased with articles appearing in different rugby league official forums and newspapers. [1]

Contents

History

Although not formal at the time, the first steps of this non-profit organization were made back in 2010. Initially, a rugby union team (Tirana RC) was founded by two pupils of a central high-school in the city of Tirana. Facing difficulties in recruiting new players, due to the high number of players required in a rugby union game, a switch from rugby union to rugby league ensued in 2017. In 2018 as part of the festival of rugby league surrounding the U19 European Championships in Belgrade, the Albania National Team also participated in the 9s tournament. [2] In 2018 Albanian Rugby League was also granted the observer status, becoming the 39th member nation of RLEF. [3] In 2019 the ARL played against GB Pioneers, a team consisting of students from top universities across Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Rugby League Clubs in Albania

Governing Body

Albanian Rugby League is the governing body in rugby league in Albania, managing development and participation at all levels in the sport.

Competitions

Since the creation of the ARL, the team has taken part in a few competitions in the Balkans.

2018 Belgrade (9s)

[6]

2019 Tirana - Albania

[7]

The National Team

Coaching Team

Management
NamePosition
James FinchAssistant coach
Kein TridiuDoctor
Dejv DashiPhysio

Results

DateHomeScoreAwayCompetitionVenue
11 Aug 2018Turkey28-4Albanian EaglesBalkan 9sSerbia-Belgrade
11 Aug 2018Albanian Eagles4-8BulgariaBalkan 9sSerbia-Belgrade
11 Aug 2018Bosnia and Herzegovina10-22Albania EaglesBalkan 9sSerbia-Belgrade
14 Sep 2019Albanian Eagles0-48GB PioneersFriendlyTirana (Kamza Stadium), Albania
04.07.2021Albanian Eagles12-22Serbia U21FriendlyShkodër (Kompleksi Smijani)
17.07.2022Team Colostomy6-20Albanian EaglesFriendly 9sChiswick Rugby Club (Londong-UK)
17.07.2022Norway Vikings4-14Albanian EaglesFriendly 9sChiswick Rugby Club (Londong-UK)
17.07.2022Bangor Buffaloes20-0Albanian EaglesFriendly 9sChiswick Rugby Club (Londong-UK)

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References

  1. "'Hullbania' and Hull Dockers help rugby league in Albania". BBC News. 2021-01-18. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  2. "TURKEY CLAIM INAUGURAL BALKAN 9s". www.rlef.eu.com. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  3. "ALBANIA GRANTED OBSERVER STATUS". www.rlef.eu.com. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  4. Halla, Ditmar. "Tirana Rugby Club". Tirana Rugby Club. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  5. Joana, Karapataqi (2016-05-09). "OSCE Presence in Albania launches sports-based youth development programme". osce.org . Retrieved 2020-12-30.
  6. "Rugby League European Federation". www.rlef.eu.com. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  7. Bull, Josh (Jan 2020). "Elmbridge Eagles Rugby League Club". elmbridgerl.com. Retrieved 2020-12-29.