Norway national rugby league team

Norway
Nickname The Vikings
Governing body Rugby League Norway (NORSKRL)
Region Scandinavia
Head coach Warren Heilig
Captain Fredrik Skovly
First game
 Norway 0-24 GB Pioneers
(Oslo, Norway; 4th July 2009)
Biggest win
 Norway 32-28 Germany 
(Bislett Stadion, Oslo; 9th July 2011)
Biggest defeat
 Malta 64-24 Norway 
(Gianni Bencini Ground, Pembroke, Malta; 2nd September 2011)

Despite only experiencing their foundation year of rugby league in 2008, Rugby League in Norway has dramatically escalated through junior, amateur and semi-professional level. They are recognised by the Rugby League International Federation as having affiliate status.

Contents

History

Continuing the pattern set by such European nations as Czech Republic, Germany and Lebanon, Norway are new to the game. In February 2008, Norway were granted official observer status by the Rugby League European Federation despite being unranked at this point. This was not the only major point of development in the year, as a committee was formed, based in capital city Oslo, with the aim of developing the game all over the country.[1]

Current squad

Coach: Warren Heilig [2]

Rugby League Norway

In 2009, Rugby League Norway was formed as an opportunity for a national competition was seen. Warren Heilig saw and organised this opportunity as the standard of Rugby Union in the nation was limited to one tier of competition. So, less experienced players could only have limited game time. Heilig had the idea that these less experienced players from big union clubs should try second-tier rugby league. This ensured that league had an advantage over union in that there was a much wider range of age and standard of play. It was also easier to learn - so Rugby League Norway no longer needed to rely on ex-union players and could attract more local junior, youth and amateur players to the game.[1]

All-time Results Record

Team First Played Played Win Draw Loss Points For Points Against Last Meeting
 Denmark 2009 2 1 0 1 36 54 2011
 Malta 2010 2 0 0 2 44 94 2011
 Sweden 2010 1 0 1 0 20 20 2010
 Germany 2011 1 1 0 0 32 28 2011

Competitions

Norway's maiden Rugby League event was the "Scandinavia Cup", which was held in Oslo, Norway between 30 and 31 May 2009 [3] and played under 9's rules.[4] Norway played Great Britain Pioneers in their first representative match on July 5, 2009 in Oslo which the visitors won 24 - 0.[5][6] Norway played their first international on August 22, 2009, against Denmark in Copenhagen and won 28 - 26.[1]

References

External links