Inaugural Scandinavian 9's

[Druzik]

POOL A
Oslo University (Norway)
Alpenstoff Deutchland (Germany)
Nordic Barbarians (Sweden/Denmark)

POOLB
Oslo Rugby Klubb (Norway)
Wild Geese (Norway)
London Anzacs (Australia/NZ)

Schedule:
10:00 HRS
Oslo University VS Alpenstoff Deutchland
10:30 HRS
Oslo Rugby Klubb VS Wild Geese
11:00 HRS
Nordic Barbarians VS Oslo University
11:30 HRS
London Anzacs VS Wild Geese
12:00 HRS
Alpenstoff Deutchland VS Nordic Barbarians
12:30 HRS
Oslo Rugby Klubb VS London Anzacs

LUNCH BREAK

13:30 HRS
Pool A (3) VS Pool B (3)
14:00 HRS
Pool A (2) VS Pool B (2)

[glow=green,2,300]Announcement of Norwegian National Rugby League Team[/glow]

GRAND FINAL
15:00 HRS
Pool A (1) VS Pool B (1)

15:30 hrs

[glow=red,2,300]TROPHY PRESENTATION[/glow]

[Druzik]

Well this is tough... I have no idea on the scandinavian teams, the german team is basically the A team and the ANZACS are ex pro players apparently.

So judging on that youd go with the Antipodeans... but not me! I think it will ge german and Oslo Rugby Klubb.

Give it to the home side I say.

[sportsmad]

All go in Norway
27 May 2009 | James Gordon

Rugby League Norway hosts its first ever tournament this weekend as more people try to spread the greatest game.

The Scandinavia Cup will take place at Ekeberg in Oslo on Saturday and Sunday in the Rugby League Nines format featuring Team Alpenstoff (Germany), Nordic Barbarians (Sweden and Denmark), London Anzacs as well as three local rugby union teams who are eager to play the new code.

The tournament has been built up as a festival of rugby league, and Rugby League Norway president Warren Heilig hopes it will be a success.

He said: "We really hope to mostly gain some fans out of this and to showcase the sport as a great thing to be a part of. Also we want to shake off some of the old untruths and myths about our game by letting guys try it for themselves."

Heilig, 30, was born in Auckland to a Maori mother and Australian father, and grew up in Brisbane. He started his playing career at Wynnum Manly, starting as a junior at the age of five, before moving to the USA for a few years to do coaching and development work.

He took a few years out after a knee reconstruction while playing for the US national team, and then moved to London Skolars in 2007.

His connection to Norway comes through his Norweigan wife, and before their move to Scandinavia, Heilig got in touch with RLEF boss Kevin Rudd to see if he could help with the development of the game.

The ball had already started rolling thanks to Jostein Ryan, who first introduced rugby league to school children in Norway in 2006.

Heilig believes this has laid a solid foundation for the growth of the sport. He said: "It was great in helping show the kids a new sport over here.

"Jostein is now in charge of helping develop the game around the Fredrikstad/Glommen area of the country which could prove great value in the coming years."

Ryan, 27, moved to the Gold Coast at the age of six, and fell in love with rugby league, while growing up Down Under with his Australian father and Norwegian mother.

When he moved back to Norway his passion for Rugby League continued, and the new Rugby League Norway development officer said: "I'm really excited about Rugby League growing in Norway and I can't wait to work with the kids and teach them all about the greatest game of all."

The long term goal of Rugby League Norway is to attract more locals to take up the sport and eventually start up a competitive competition.

Heilig added: "We have about a group of 40 guys who really enjoy watching it, and after the tournament hopefully we have converted more.We have two clubs and 1 Swedish club from Gothenburg who are all interested in playing some games of rugby league throughout the year.
"Hopefully this tournament will spark the interest of many more and we can build up a few more clubs in the next year or so."

But how much of a threat to their development is rugby union?

"It's here but it's not very big. There are only five major clubs here,so guys dont really get many games over here. Hopefully thats where we can come in and offer them more matches.

"Even though its rugby league I dont think the guys will care too much, as most are unaware of the history between the two codes."

And Heilig believes that the two codes can work together to help each other in Norway.

"Definitely. We are already doing that. They are happy to work with me, and I am happy to work in with them because it's really a case of scratch my back and I will scratch yours.

"In truth this tournament will raise the profile of both codes and give Norwegian kids the option now to play which ever code they think best suits them."

We will be bringing you coverage of the first ever Rugby League Norway tournament next week. To learn more about the game in Norway, visit www.norskrl.com.

Do you know Warren Heilig or Jostein Ryan Druzik?
i noticed the quote about norway not knowing the history between league and union and that they can work together. this is great to see. i read about it happening in other countries like malta.

The long term goal of Rugby League Norway is to attract more locals to take up the sport and eventually start up a competitive competition.

i wonder how long this will take. perhaps a chance for the 2017 WC....

[Druzik]

May 28, 2009 17:13:27 GMT 10 sportsmad said:

Do you know Warren Heilig or Jostein Ryan Druzik?
i noticed the quote about norway not knowing the history between league and union and that they can work together. this is great to see. i read about it happening in other countries like malta.

I do know Warren I will be staying with him on the weekend. Yes some of the newer nations like Latvia, and estonia where Union is alsoa relatively new sport, both rugby codes are played under the same federation, so Union is the winter code and League the summer code. Thus there is no probelms between the codes. Some of the more established nations in Union, like germany have had some bif preoblems with interference from Union.

i wonder how long this will take. perhaps a chance for the 2017 WC....

Most of the developing countries are aiming for the 2017 WC to be in there competeing, maybe a couple new ones like Jamaica will have a run at 2013... The usual stalwarts of serbia, Russia and lebanon will be there ofcourse.

Actually in europe the only other three nations I could see possibly playing in the 2013 qualifiers would bet Germany, Italy and Czech Rep.

[Druzik]

Hi all,

Well I am in Oslo, what a great city! The women here are absolutely stunning! I want a norwegian girl! WOW

Anyway, I will do an update on how things went later tonight. I met the ANZAC team... they were already wasted off their tits... lol.

Anyway I have to run... talk to all later.

[England 3 Lions]

If the Norwegian Rugby League aligns its with Tristania, then it might appeal to the country's youth.

[sportsmad]

you must take photos with these girls

[Druzik]

POOL A
Alpenstoff Deutchland (Germany)
Nordic Barbarians (Sweden/Denmark)
Oslo University (Norway)

POOLB
London Anzacs (Australia/NZ)
Oslo Rugby Klubb (Norway)
Wild Geese (Norway)

Oslo University 4:12 Alpenstoff Deutchland
Oslo Rugby Klubb 16:4 Wild Geese
Nordic Barbarians 26:6 Oslo University
London Anzacs 24:14 Wild Geese
Alpenstoff Deutchland 16:4 Nordic Barbarians
Oslo Rugby Klubb 6:26 London Anzacs

5/6 Play off
Oslo University 4:10 Wild Geese

3/4 Play off
Nordic Barbarians 10:16 Oslo Rugby Klubb

Grand Final
Alpenstoff Deutschland 14:36 London ANZACS

It was a fantastic tournament. Friggin hot too... but every one had fun. Crowd was about 150 so not too bad for the first time, and from what i saw very little problems... it started about 30 mins late but made the time up.

So yeah... when I have more time I will post some more.

[Druzik]

So the Nowegian soujurn is over...wow what a great city, beautiful women and scenery and just good fun.

The Party last night was a real killer was out with everyone till 4 am... so tired sightseeing today... but went to the beach and had a good swim too.

So, next year if you have the chance cometo this tournament.

[sportsmad]

i think i tipped london ANZACS to take it out. nice to see they were blind early in the day. true ANZAC spirit there. Alpenstoff Deutschland were pretty competetive which is also good to see

[Druzik]

Jun 1, 2009 10:39:18 GMT 10 sportsmad said:

i think i tipped london ANZACS to take it out. nice to see they were blind early in the day. true ANZAC spirit there. Alpenstoff Deutschland were pretty competetive which is also good to see

The scary thing about the germans was that aside from Simon cooper, they were all 16 and 17 y olds.

They now have national teams at u16, u18, u21 German A and full german team... its friggin amazing.

Thie domestic comp is also dubbing as the state of origin... might head down there as well to see.

Also some indose info... next years euro nations cup etc... looks like its 2 groups of 3 with, but the Euro shield is also being expanded to a 6 team tourney with 2 groups of 3 with tiop teams in final, and if enough teams the bowl also, so effectively there are 20 teams playing throughy 4 levels of competition in europe with a clear path of moving up the ranks now!

amazing what a bit of organisation can do.

[sportsmad]

nice article in rugby league review this month druzik. if thats true about the european comps then thats fantastic news!

[Druzik]

Jun 3, 2009 15:18:33 GMT 10 sportsmad said:

nice article in rugby league review this month druzik. if thats true about the european comps then thats fantastic news!

Thanks, did my Italy article also get published?

[sportsmad]

i dont think it did , i cant see it. post it in the article section here so it can read it?
just got home from origin at the pub, great game. nsw were in it till the last moment. something like 52,000 people there in melbourne. all the pubs i walked past were full. it has real pulling power all over australia. could take the comp anywhere in aus or nz and almost guaranteed a sellout