Rugby league is about to go through a European renaissance.
A small group of people have created a new competition focused on developing players, strengthening domestic leagues, and increasing player participation throughout Europe.
They are doing this by setting up a Europa League-styled system, with teams from different cities travelling around to see who is king.
It sounds like an expansionist dream… and it the idea gets better! There is a draft. A rugby league draft. And it will pull in players not just from Europe, but from places like the Americas, Asia, and Africa. A true thing of international rugby league beauty.
Now, something this large and different cannot come about without administrative challenges. I will leave that important investigation to smarter and better journalists than me. I am too excited about the prospect.
So instead, I will be highlighting three of the first teams that have been announced to be joining the Euro XIII, to help me find a team to support.
Dublin Blues Rugby League
The club was originally formed back in 1989, however ceased playing games in 2008. The club was resurrected with the altruistic manifesto of helping grow the game in Ireland by giving players a new pathway.
“We are expecting an exciting new competition against opposition many of us have never played,” said Conor Kelly from Dublin Blues RL.
“Our goal like all of the teams entering the tournament is to come home with silverware. We also want to develop players, which in turn we hope will strengthen Ireland’s domestic competition by giving players more playing opportunities.”
North Brussels Gorillas
This team was created on April Fool’s Day, 2014. But do not be fooled, this club means business. The Gorillas won the Belgium RL Championship in 2015. Most incredibly, their captain Jonathan Bouillon has been playing with them since their very first game.
“Playing in this Euro XIII is an opportunity to measure ourselves against the best amateur teams in Europe”, relishes the president of North Brussels Gorillas, Morachi Marco, “and to develop rugby league in Brussels and in Belgium.”
Vrchlabí Mad Squirrels
A team with an amazing mascot has an equally amazing story behind it. It was founded 12 years ago, by a group of teenagers who were bored during summer holiday. They wanted to try some different sport. The friends had no idea about rugby league, as they had found rugby union online and had just started playing. You must love their initiative and can-do attitudes!
At the same time, the future coach David Lahr was playing rugby league at Pardubice at university. He came back home to Vrchlabí for the summer holiday, found the young men looking for a sport, and were shown rugby league. It was serendipity.
Over the last six years the men focused on coaching the next generation. Due to this focus, they are the only Czech club with under-nine, under-12, under-15 and under-18 teams. Understandably this has translated into success. The Mad Squirrels under-18s have won the under-18 Czech Championship four times.
This amazing story does not end there. Vrchlabí is small village of around 13,000 people, now playing international competition.
“We can’t wait to train and with and play with draft players,” says coach Lahr, barely containing his excitement.
“We would like to make some training sessions open for all Czech clubs. I believe the draft players will give us lot of experience. We don’t want only Vrchlabí to benefit from this opportunity, we want all of the Czech RL to benefit”.
You may have guessed by now, I am a new Squirrels fan. I was not before I started this article, but their story was too heart-warming.
Go Squirrels!
J.Reynolds
Guest
Did Fitzy return the Emails you send him Taipan?
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Fieldy using another alias surprise!!!.Please provide evidence all these teams will have Northern English expats, providing us of course with team details.Waiting..........?
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Micky C . it's not taking over ,that I agree. However if there were only a few competitions in place in 2000, and now close to 40 ( yes mostly amateur )around the world, then your 124 years comment to put it mildly, is nonsense. European sports grants are made to sports that have to show growth.Rugby League has been such a recipient for a number of years.Care to provide evidence otherwise?
Fieldy
Guest
This comp played by Northern English expats will need money and everyone knows there is no money to be made in the sport
Big T
Roar Rookie
I’d watch it.
Big T
Roar Rookie
Great point.
Big T
Roar Rookie
Yeah that might be true. I think I know that how you get in each year is done in such a way that it encourages new teams to enter. Everyone’s main goal is development, even before winning. That’s the impression I’ve been given.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
learn that at private school lol?
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Trolls trying to ruin a thread
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Wow you signed up under a new name to say that. Weirdo
Micky C
Guest
Where is it taking over? Rugby League hasn't grown in 124 years and i doubt things will change in another 124 Ethan
Harry
Guest
Seems fitting given the slow slow game speed
Womblat
Guest
What possible good can come by trucking it up straight at a hulking Czech second rower wearing a "Mad Squirrel" logo? Yeah nuh.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
League is slowly taking over from union. People are realizing whoich game is better and union is dying a slow slow death
Leo
Guest
If there is no money to be made why would not should corporates touch it?
The Patman
Guest
Hi Big T (love your podcast work). I have done zero research, but I'm guessing that each of these teams are already the best, or close to the best, club in their domestic competitions. Don't you worry that this competition will just further consolidate their position? They'll have greater exposure, draft players from overseas with more league knowledge & experience and the chance to play against better quality opposition than their other domestic rivals. This could lead to these clubs having more juniors, more sponsorship and the better players defecting from their rival clubs (so they too can have the chance to play in Euro 13's). The medium to long term result could lead to these Euro 13's clubs being like St George in the 50's/60's - consistently crushing their domestic rivals.
David
Guest
Just like the Balkan Super League Cathar?
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Let's hope comps like this help break through corporate barriers which are so hard to garner outside Australia for the sport.
Big T
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the kind words Pickett, and thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
Big T
Roar Rookie
Thanks mate.