Talking Footy

Raiderdave wrote:

NSWAFL wrote:

18 countries played, so with a full interchange bench of 4 that totals at least 396 players. And don't forget that more than 18 countries play the game!

18 countries embarrased themselves when they bumbled .. fumbled ... & missed even worse then AFL players do for a few weeks
watched by no body .....

we have 14 nations who will play in our next world cup in 2013
6 of them will contain professional players who earn a living playing our game ...
they will play before tens of thousands at grounds .. & millions on TV

do not compare your codes shits n gigglefest .. with our world cup
they are on different planets

K

NSWAFL wrote:

AFL France is in the early stages of development. Rugby league has been there a lot longer.

It's a bit rich comparing a toddler to a fully grown adult.

But we will grow! At least we're there, which is more than I can say for some other countries I could name where rugby league is nowhere to be seen and AFL is being played!

NSWAFL wrote:

Here's a point! Perth have a Super 15 team. So where's the RL team at? :D

ParraEelsNRL wrote:

NSWAFL wrote:

AFL France is in the early stages of development. Rugby league has been there a lot longer.

It's a bit rich comparing a toddler to a fully grown adult.

But we will grow! At least we're there, which is more than I can say for some other countries I could name where rugby league is nowhere to be seen and AFL is being played!

And where would these countries be?

And no, the moon is not another country.

So prove you allegations as all us RL posters have to do each time.

NSWAFL wrote:

ParraEelsNRL wrote:

NSWAFL wrote:

AFL France is in the early stages of development. Rugby league has been there a lot longer.

It's a bit rich comparing a toddler to a fully grown adult.

But we will grow! At least we're there, which is more than I can say for some other countries I could name where rugby league is nowhere to be seen and AFL is being played!

And where would these countries be?

And no, the moon is not another country.

So prove you allegations as all us RL posters have to do each time.

The following countries in Europe play AFL, and have no visible presence of Rugby League.

Andorra
Austria
Croatia
Finland
Iceland
The Netherlands
Spain
Switzerland

I took a full list from the AFL Europe website, and then removed the countries listed on Wikipedia as members of the Rugby League European Federation that matched (ie France, Great Britain and Ireland for example). That's what was left over.

And that's just Europe. If you want me to go further I'll be glad to!

RUGBY LEAGUE NATION OVERVIEW

Information on this page was updated - 19/12/2011

Foundation Year - 2006

International Team - Catalonia Rugby League

Top level domestic competition - The inaugural top level Catalan rugby league championship kicked off in 2009 involving 9 teams running from May to June.

History - Catalonia are a new rugby league playing region and continues the trend of European nations taking up the sport. Catalonia is made up of 5 provinces; Lleida, Tarragona, Girona, Barcelona (Spain) and Catalunya Nord (France). Their is hope that the recent success of the Catalans Dragons in southern France will assist with the growth of the sport in the Catalan region of Spain.

Rugby league was introduced in 2006 in the south part of Catalonia due to the efforts of the ACRL (Catalan Rugby League Association) and the Aligots de la (team from the University of Girona) who played the Tramuntana Tournament with the universities of Perpinya (North Catalonia) and Montpelier (France).

On making the Challenge Cup Final in 2007 the Catalans Dragons received unprecedented media exposure in Catalonia due to their Catalonia connections. After losing the final the Dragons were invited to Spain's powerful Football Club FC Barcelona and received a huge applause from the pre game crowd.

In early 2009 the Rugby League European Federation in conjunction with the Association Catalana Rugby League held a coaching course in Barcelona. The course was well attended with over 40 candidates participating.

On the back of the coaching course the local rugby league competition "Catalan rugby league championship" kicked off in 2009. Catalonia have around 16 teams playing in two competitionsl. Nine teams participate in the Catalan rugby league championship (GEiEG, Garrotxa R.C., Crancs de Vic, CNPN-Enginyers, BUC, INEFC Lleida, Valls R.C., Sant Cugat, Tarragona R.C.). There are also 7 teams in the universities championship (Aligots de la UdG, Universitat de Perpinya, Garrins de Vic, Centaures de la UAB, Cocos de la URL, UPC and Taurons de la UPF). The uni championship was also played again in 2010.

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

On the 27th of march, the catalan university selection went to Leeds to play a match against Leeds Trinity College going down to the more experienced team from Leeds ( Leeds 34 - Catalan Universities 10 ).

In June 2009 the Catalans Dragons played the Warrington Wolves in Barcelona in front of over 18,000 fans. The game was hailed a huge success with many of Barcelona locals taking part in the carnival atmosphere. As a warm up to the Super League game the local Catalan national side defeated the Czech Republic 52 - 10. This was another shot in the arm for rugby league as it continues to grow in Catalonia region.

In July 2009 the Catalonia national team played Morocco in the first match of the Euro-Med Challenge. Catalonia put in a gutsy performance against a Morrocian team full of professional players from the French Elite competitions. After being down 22 - 0 at half time Catalonia crossed the line in the 2nd half with the final score being 29 - 6. In their second match Catalonia narrowly loss to Belgium 28 - 22

The last international Catalonia played was in July 2010. Catalonia defeat Czech Republic 66-16. In 2011 Catalonia dropped off the RLEF rankings. Do date no reason has been given by the RLEF as to why this happened.

ParraEelsNRL wrote:

So is Zman going to warn cuzzy Sara because he keeps stating things without backing them up with facts?

While you're at it, give that sook AFLNSW (no, we R not NVS of you) a warning as well, he's just as bad or worse.

So start posting those facts or leave, we want proper debate, not your usual hearsay

In 2006 Austria were involved in a development Tri-Nations series against Germany and Estonia. Austria narrowly went down to Germany 34 -32 in their first international rugby league game.

Austria's second Tri-Nations game created history by being the first international rugby league game played on Austrian soil. Played at Partenion, Austria won the game beating Estonia 56 -32. Austria finished 2nd in the series but were unlucky not to finish 1st after loosing to Germany by 2 points.

On the back of their 2006 performance Austria were ranked 13th in the 2006 RLEF European rankings. The Rugby League European Federation released the rankings for January 2008. Austria were unable to regain a place among the 16 listed nations

Information on this page was updated - 23/12/2011

Foundation Year - 2003

International Team - Netherlands Rugby League

Highest finish in World Cup - One win, World Cup Qualifying game (2008 RLWC)

Top level domestic competition - Summer season involving 4 rounds plus finals.

History - The Dutch are relatively new pioneers for rugby league within Northwestern Europe. Rugby league has regularly being played since 2003 under the NNRLB and has seen small domestic growth along the way. The first rugby league club match was played between Te Werve Bustards (Den Haag) and touring Essex Eels. After rugby league ceased in 2008 a new board the Nederlandse Rugby League Bond (NRLB) was entrusted to administer and grow the game in the Netherlands in 2009.

The Dutch participated in 1989 Student Rugby League World Cup in England, against Australia, England, France, New Zealand, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. The first rugby league match in Netherlands was a preparation match for the tournament against the French Army side at the Royal Military Academy in Breda. While in the late 1980's they faced Toulouse to earn a 20 all draw. Having played their first international against Scotland A in Sassenheim only narrowly losing 18 to 22, introducing the Rotterdam Cup in 2004 with a 24-14 loss to Scotland Students and debut 24 to 14 win against Serbia.

2005 saw the Netherlands build on the previous season with the national team playing four internationals. The Netherlands were defeated by Georgia 34 - 14 in April. They then went on to win their other three internationals against Serbia, Scotland and Germany.

In 2006 Netherlands took part in World Cup qualifiers for the first time. Being grouped with Russia, Georgia and Serbia made the task of getting past the first round of European qualifiers all the more harder. The Netherlands suffered heavy defeats to Russia 40 - 14 and Georgia 57 - 16. As a consolation the Netherlands managed to defeat the other European newcomers Serbia 38 - 26. Netherlands finished 3rd in the Pool and failed to qualify for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. The Netherlands capped off 2006 with a win against the Czech Republic 34 -28.

Rotterdam hosted the Nederlandse International Rugby League Nines Festival for visiting European teams between 2004 and 2007.

At present the NRLB are a nonprofit sports association for rugby league with their main goal to get the game exposure and attract more people to the sport. The NRLB have a short summer season (4 rounds + Finals) with the Netherlands 3V Sports Grand Prix 9's competition for clubs Capelle Spartans, Delft Rugby League, Nootdorp Musketiers and Te Werve Bustards, while they host teams for 13-aside matches including the annual clash with Oxford University Old Boys (in the Kermis Challenge) and varying teams from the UK. Netherlands as national and developmental squads have participated in away tours in tournaments such as the Heidelberg 9's in Germany and UK based events.

In recent seasons the Dutch have also participated in a Cross Border Challenge with select German clubs, National Selection matches (Select GPN vs Residents) and promotional games (combined squad vs Capelle Spartans). At youth level this year, the Dutch staged a BARLA U17 tour against a Netherlands Tasman U17 select in July at Nootdorp and Delft.

Like most developing rugby league nations there are restrictions that the Dutch board face within early stages of development like funding, sponsorship, support and promotion.

The Dutch ten year plan is to have a fully self-supportive domestic competition running for at least 6 months of the year and to have multiple self-standing Rugby League clubs all over the country. The national squad back on the international stage competing with the best. The NRLB are also working to meet the critera to gain RLEF membership.

ParraEelsNRL wrote:

Derp!, ever heard of affiliate members?

Catalonia.

NSWAFL wrote:

Until you find it, the country stays on the list as not playing RL but is playing AFL.