Rugby union in Slovenia
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| Rugby union in Slovenia | |
|---|---|
| Country | Slovenia |
| National team(s) | Slovenia |
| First played | 1900 |
| Registered players | 1,065 |
| Clubs | 16 |
National competitions | |
Rugby union in Slovenia is a minor but growing sport. As of August 2019[update] they are currently ranked 71st by the World Rugby governing body.[1]
Governing body[edit]
The governing body is Rugby Zveza Slovenije (Rugby Union of Slovenia).[2]
History[edit]
Yugoslav period[edit]
Rugby union was a moderately popular sport in Yugoslavia. Although rugby union in Croatia was the main centre for the sport in Yugoslavia, there was still quite a bit of rugby played in Slovenia. The Rugby Championship of Yugoslavia ran from 1957-1991.
Post independence[edit]
The breakup of Yugoslavia broke up many of the Slovenian rugby structures, which had to be started afresh.
In the early 1990s, former Italian cap, Dr Giancarlo Tizanini was a major driving force in Austrian rugby. Before his death in 1994, he tried hard to establish a Central European equivalent of the Six Nations between Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia.[3]
Slovenia also borders Italy, which is a major rugby playing nation. In recent years, however, there have been serious attempts by rugby league to expand into the Balkans, using substantial financial incentives, and expats from Australia.
Clubs[edit]
As of 2009, the following clubs were active:[4]
- RAK Olimpija
- RFC BEŽIGRAD
- RFC Doberman
- RFC Emoona
- RFC Maribor
- RFC Ribnica
- RFC Ris
- RK Ljubljana
- RK Sokol Maribor(Maribor Sokol)
- VRK Hermes (Veterans Rugby Club)
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Men's Rankings - World Rugby | worldrugby.org". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
- ^ "Home". rugby.si.
- ^ Bath, Richard (ed.) The Complete Book of Rugby (Seven Oaks Ltd, 1997 ISBN 1-86200-013-1) p63
- ^ [1][dead link]