RUGBY LEAGUE NATION

 

 

Foundation Year - 2009

International Team - Belgium Rugby League

Top level domestic competition - There is currently no domestic rugby league competition. Currently has one team playing games against teams from London, France, Catalonia, Germany and Morocco.

History - Belgium are a new Rugby League playing nation and continues the trend of European nations taking up the sport.

In early 2009 Belgium were unranked in world rankings but were awarded official observer status by the Rugby League International Federation.

In early 2009 the Belgium's first rugby league club "Wavre Rugby XIII in Belgium" was born. The team is scheduled to participate in frendly matches against teams from London, Catalonia, Germany and Morocco between May and August in 2009. On the 11th of July history was made with the first ever rugby league match on Belgium soil against London based team Hammersmith Hills Hoists RLFC. The game took place at J. Peeters stadium in Wavre with the Belgium based side Brabant Wallon Wavre Rugby XIII going down to Hammersmith Hills Hoists RLFC 24 - 40.

In July 2009 the Belgium national team played Catalonia and Morocco in the Euro-Med Challenge. Belgium defeated Catalonia 28 - 22 to record their first ever international win. Morocco were to strong in their next game with Belgium finishing 2nd overall in the competition.

The recent success of the Rugby League World Cup will provide further funds to develop the sport throughout Europe. The Rugby League European Federation (RLEF) will now have more funds to invest in development officers and continue assisting rugby league's growth. With the right support many more nations including Belgium could possibly be involved in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup qualifiers.

Dear Readers, If you have first hand knowledge of the current Rugby League situation in Belgium we would love to hear from you. Please email us at: webmaster@rugbyleagueplanet.com or join our international rugby league Forums at http://forums.rugbyleagueplanet.com and let us all know what's going on in your part of the world.