RUGBY LEAGUE NATION

 

 

Foundation Year - 2007

International Team - Ukraine Rugby League

Top level domestic competition - The Ukraine based club Legion XIII currently play in the Russian Championship. Ukraine plan to start their own championship in 2009.

History - Ukraine has been involved in rugby league in different capacities for some time. The URL plan to introduce rugby league into schools. On November 2007 Kharkiv students played the first official international rugby league match on Ukrainian soil against a Russian student team.

On the 13th of July 2008 Ukraine played their second international game against a touring GB Student Rugby League Chairman XIII team in Kharkiv. In a close battle Ukraine eventually went down 36 - 18.

The Ukraine based club Legion XIII currently play in the Russian Championship. Playing out of Krarkiv they provide the bulk of the players for the national side.

In February 2008 Ukraine were unranked in European rankings but awarded official observer status by the Rugby League European Federation (RLEF).

Ukraine were suppose to take part the European Bowl in 2008. Due to visa issues Ukraine had to forfeit all games.

In a boost for the sport in Ukraine the inaugural Ukrainian Championship is due to start in 2009. The Ukrainian Championship will involve five teams.

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 Ukraine could possibly be involved in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup qualifiers. Ukraine's effort in setting up a local championship will help them meet the RLIF strict criteria for teams wanting to participate in World Cup qualifying games.

In early 2009 Ukraine were ranked 28th in World seedings by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF).

Ukraine along with Estonia and Latvia took part in the European Bowl again in July/August 2009. Ukraine became 2009 European Bowl champions by defeating both Latvia and Estonia.

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