Albanian Rugby League
Club information
Full nameAlbanian Rugby League
Nickname(s)The Eagles
Short nameARL
ColoursRed and Black
Founded2017
Websitehttps://albaniarl.wordpress.com/
Current details
CoachPeter Grayburn
ManagerAlan Vernon
CaptainShaban Penxho

Albanian Rugby League (ARL) represents Albania in international rugby league tournaments, as well as organizes domestic competitions, and undertakes development projects. Rugby league is a new sport in Albania, which has been officially registered since 2017. The popularity of rugby league is struggling for attention in the national media. However, since the creation of the ARL national team and the introduction of Tirana Rugby Club (founded in 2013) in the Greek championship, coverage has increased with articles appearing in different rugby league official forums and newspapers.[1]

History

Although not formal at the time, the first steps of this non-profit organization were made back in 2010. Initially, a rugby union team (Tirana RC) was founded by two pupils of a central high-school in the city of Tirana. Facing difficulties in recruiting new players, due to the high number of players required in a rugby union game, a switch from rugby union to rugby league ensued in 2017. In 2018 as part of the festival of rugby league surrounding the U19 European Championships in Belgrade, the Albania National Team also participated in the 9s tournament.[2] In 2018 Albanian Rugby League was also granted the observer status, becoming the 39th member nation of RLEF.[3] In 2019 the ARL played against GB Pioneers, a team consisting of students from top universities across Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Rugby League Clubs in Albania

  • Tirana Rugby Club (Tirana Regbi Klub)[4]
  • Illyrians Rugby Club (Iliret Regbi Klub)[5]

Governing Body

Albanian Rugby League is the governing body in rugby league in Albania, managing development and participation at all levels in the sport.

Competitions

Since the creation of the ARL, the team has taken part in a few competitions in the Balkans.

2018 Belgrade (9s)

[6]

2019 Tirana - Albania

[7]

The National Team

Coaching Team

Management
Name Position
James Finch Assistant coach
Kein Tridiu Doctor
Dejv Dashi Physio

Results

Date Home Score Away Competition Venue
11 Aug 2018 Turkey 28-4 Albanian Eagles Balkan 9s Serbia-Belgrade
11 Aug 2018 Albanian Eagles 4-8 Bulgaria Balkan 9s Serbia-Belgrade
11 Aug 2018 Bosnia and Herzegovina 10-22 Albania Eagles Balkan 9s Serbia-Belgrade
14 Sep 2019 Albanian Eagles 0-48 GB Pioneers Friendly Tirana (Kamza Stadium), Albania
04.07.2021 Albanian Eagles 12-22 Serbia U21 Friendly Shkodër (Kompleksi Smijani)
17.07.2022 Team Colostomy 6-20 Albanian Eagles Friendly 9s Chiswick Rugby Club (Londong-UK)
17.07.2022 Norway Vikings 4-14 Albanian Eagles Friendly 9s Chiswick Rugby Club (Londong-UK)
17.07.2022 Bangor Buffaloes 20-0 Albanian Eagles Friendly 9s Chiswick Rugby Club (Londong-UK)

References

  1. ↑ "'Hullbania' and Hull Dockers help rugby league in Albania". BBC News. 2021-01-18. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  2. ↑ "TURKEY CLAIM INAUGURAL BALKAN 9s". www.rlef.eu.com. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  3. ↑ "ALBANIA GRANTED OBSERVER STATUS". www.rlef.eu.com. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  4. ↑ Halla, Ditmar. "Tirana Rugby Club". Tirana Rugby Club. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  5. ↑ Joana, Karapataqi (2016-05-09). "OSCE Presence in Albania launches sports-based youth development programme". osce.org. Retrieved 2020-12-30.
  6. ↑ "Rugby League European Federation". www.rlef.eu.com. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
  7. ↑ Bull, Josh (Jan 2020). "Elmbridge Eagles Rugby League Club". elmbridgerl.com. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
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