RUGBY LEAGUE NATION

 

 

Foundation Year - 2005

International Team - Estonia Rugby Federation

Top level domestic competition - Estonia currently have one club based in Tallinn and play against invitational sides from other nations.

History - Estonia is a new rugby league playing nation and continues the trend of European nations taking up the sport. The EFR have made good progress in developing the sport by having rugby league introduced into schools.

Estonia's first match was in 2005 against an Chairmans Select XIII. This was the first step in the development of Rugby League in Estonia.

In 2006 Estonia played in the Central European Development Tri-Nations against Germany and Austria. Estonia lost both games and finished 3rd in overall standings.

In 2007 Estonia played a one off game against neighbours Latvia. Estonia went down 54 - 38 and failed to register their first international win.

At the beginning of 2008 Estonia were ranked 15th in the Rugby League European Federation (RLEF) rankings.

Latvia, Ukraine and Estonia took part in a European Bowl in 2008. Due to visa issues Ukraine had to forfeit games. Estonia played Latvia and failed to make history, going down 62 - 10.

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 Estonia could possibly be involved in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup qualifiers. Estonia will need to introduce more rugby league clubs and setup a local championship if they wish to play in the qualifiers.

In 2009 Estonia were ranked 22nd in World seedings by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF).

Estonia along with Lativa and Ukraine took part in the European Bowl again in July/August 2009. Estonia failed to register a win during the tournament.

Dear Readers, If you have first hand knowledge of the current Rugby League situation in Estonia 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.