Ukraine

[ali]

Taking their first steps to take up the game again.

From rlef.eu.com

UKRAINE RL

Ukranian rugby league official Artur Martyrosyan has just become the first of his countrymen to qualify to coach the sport.
He came over to London last week to attend the regional performance camp for under 13s, 14s and 15s and, having been given specialist one-to-one tuition, qualified to take the principles and laws of the sport back to his native land.
It is anticipated that the Ukranians will now develop a national association for the code and apply to formally join the Rugby League European Federation.
Development Executive for the RLEF, Kevin Rudd, commented, "Artur really enjoyed being part of the performance camp. He gained invaluable insight and experience of seeing the sport broken down into its component skills. Thanks must go the team in the capital for so readily including him."
Camp director, Caro Wild, who is the Rugby Football League's Regional Development Manager for London & The South added, "The camp is part of the RFL's performance programme which seeks to identify and develop the best young talent in what is a rapidly expanding region. The growing player base is constantly increasing standards and it was good for Artur to see what can be achieved in a development area."

 

[T to the T]

The key battleground in the Rugby War is Europe. Although Union seems dominant at the moment, it only has strong presence in the British Isles and France, where League has it's strongest albeit not so big presence however it is getting there. The rest of the continent is wide open for the taking.

The news about League reaching Latvia and Ukraine is great however should the RLEF focus on Serbia, Greece, Estonia, Austria, Czech Republic and Germany for the time being at the moment as its resources will soon become overstretched and not able to support so many national associations

 

[ali]

Well the new development officers to help out, 3 of them from memmory.

Lets face it, most of the smaller nations probably wont make it. But hopefully a few will develop comps the equal of Serbia or Russia. The more there is, the closer the proximity of a decent rival, and the quicker Rl grows.

 

[bobbis]

Good work, I think Eastern Europe holds alot of potential for the code.

T and T,
I really don't think its a rugby war in europe other than a hand full of pro nations UK, France etc for the most part neither is big enough that gaining popularity need come at the expense of the other. If both codes confine themselves to figthing each other for what amounts to scraps from the dinner table god help them.

 

[roopy]

Good work, I think Eastern Europe holds alot of potential for the code.

T and T,
I really don't think its a rugby war in europe other than a hand full of pro nations UK, France etc for the most part neither is big enough that gaining popularity need come at the expense of the other. If both codes confine themselves to figthing each other for what amounts to scraps from the dinner table god help them.

It seems stupid, but the two games must fight while soccer gets on with sweeping all before them.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

It seems stupid, but the two games must fight while soccer gets on with sweeping all before them.

still, there are many in Europe that depise soccer at it's hoodlum fans. Also, europeans just aren't into sport as much as aussies, probably cause it rains all the time.

 

[joshreading]

When I was in Ukraine a couple years ago I was told that there was some Rugby League in Ukraine as an Aussie I know there saw some guys playing on a number of times. Of course it could have just been Union players giving League ago at training as i have heard happens in a number of countries but I personally think there is alot of potential. Especially if the best Club or two in time join the Russians in their Super League. Kiev V Moscow

 

[screeny]

still, there are many in Europe that depise soccer at it's hoodlum fans. Also, europeans just aren't into sport as much as aussies, probably cause it rains all the time.

That's a silly thing to say.

Europeans are into sport every bit as much as Aussies and more. The number and dedication of supporters and the number of amateur sporting clubs is massive in Europe.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

Europeans are into sport every bit as much as Aussies and more. The number and dedication of supporters and the number of amateur sporting clubs is massive in Europe.

I see what you are saying. If by the number and dedication of supporters you mean those that consistently show up to soccer games etc. I think that is better explained by population density rather than support. The same with the number of amateur clubs.

The reason I said what I said was that when I was living in country NSW, the local town on a Saturday morning meant several cricket games, golf, bowls, basketball, netball in summer and several soccer games, league, union, hockey and golf in winter. There was/is also competitive fishing and shooting within the respective seasons. Probably 90% of the kids in the town played at least one sport on the weekends, if not several. All you ever did at school was play sport at lunch and recess.

Here in europe, many schools don't even have a grass playing area. I just don't see the same amount of participation around the traps on the weekend also. The main Saturday activity is sitting yourself down at the local cafe and watching the world pass by.

I could well be wrong, however as this opinion is only derived from what I have seen in France, both rural and urban. I can tell you though that I have met several people who have a deep disdain of soccer mainly because of its fans.

 

[T to the T]

T and T,
I really don't think its a rugby war in europe other than a hand full of pro nations UK, France etc for the most part neither is big enough that gaining popularity need come at the expense of the other. If both codes confine themselves to figthing each other for what amounts to scraps from the dinner table god help them.

Inevitably various codes of football will need to consolidate for ultimate survival. Australia is a microcosm for what the World will be at large in 20-30 years time. RL and RU attract the same type of fan, if you like watching RU, I wouldn't bet against it you don't mind watching RL or even gridiron. So they cannot really avoid eachother and have to battle each other. Fortunately these physical football codes are not that big in South America, Asia or large parts of Africa and Europe therefore there is still a massive amount of pie yet to be conquered however one day RL will be battling against Union and to a smaller extent Gridiron for whats there.

That said, league does seem a hybrid of gridiron and union as it is so is probably best placed to prosper in the future of the physical football codes.*





*If managed properly and the finances/warchest isn't wasted in internal wars within the code IE: Superleague

First step to dominance needs to be League asserting a dominances in Australasia. Hopefully with a 20 team SL in 2017 consisting of the CC Bears (With some games at NS Oval), WA Reds, Southern Orcas and SQ Crushers, the AFL and Sanzar will be left in the dust, and with League's own backyard in order, then we can pursue global expansion aggressively. However only when Oceania is League's can this happen.

 

[ali]

My biggest question is where is RL's next professional comp going to emerge? With both the NRL and Super League basically being over 2 nations, that means we are a long way off another fully pro comp. At this stage the only likely candidates appear to be the AMNRL and the Russian comp, but both are a long way off.

If a decent team or 2 could pop up in the Ukraine, this would go along way towards helping things in Russia (I think, not quite sure on political tensions here, that may ruin our hopes). With Estonia and Latvia also playing, at least logistically the teams that are playing now don't have to travel as far to get a game. This can only be a positive for long term development.

 

[bobbis]

Inevitably various codes of football will need to consolidate for ultimate survival. Australia is a microcosm for what the World will be at large in 20-30 years time. RL and RU attract the same type of fan, if you like watching RU, I wouldn't bet against it you don't mind watching RL or even gridiron. So they cannot really avoid eachother and have to battle each other. Fortunately these physical football codes are not that big in South America, Asia or large parts of Africa and Europe therefore there is still a massive amount of pie yet to be conquered however one day RL will be battling against Union and to a smaller extent Gridiron for whats there.

That said, league does seem a hybrid of gridiron and union as it is so is probably best placed to prosper in the future of the physical football codes.*





*If managed properly and the finances/warchest isn't wasted in internal wars within the code IE: Superleague

First step to dominance needs to be League asserting a dominances in Australasia. Hopefully with a 20 team SL in 2017 consisting of the CC Bears (With some games at NS Oval), WA Reds, Southern Orcas and SQ Crushers, the AFL and Sanzar will be left in the dust, and with League's own backyard in order, then we can pursue global expansion aggressively. However only when Oceania is League's can this happen.

I see Australia as the exception rather than a rule, the only country with 4 professional codes. Most countries have one clear dominant football code, thats not quite the case in Australia. I'd agree that RU and American football fans are more likely to be attracted to RL than the average person, so its an obvious target if you're establishing RL. However I don't really think its that advantagous for RL to try to take on RU, it is the smaller sport, and when ur talking about say the Ukraine 99.9% of the population wouldn't give a sh*t about RU, theres a massive untapped market there and almost every country in the world such that while the 2 codes are probably fighting for the same type of fan if they limit themselves to squabbling over scraps theyll both be selling themselves short.

I also think you're being wildly optomistic if you think the AFL and Sanzar will simply be left in the dust.

 

[In-goal]

First step to dominance needs to be League asserting a dominances in Australasia. Hopefully with a 20 team SL in 2017 consisting of the CC Bears (With some games at NS Oval), WA Reds, Southern Orcas and SQ Crushers, the AFL and Sanzar will be left in the dust, and with League's own backyard in order, then we can pursue global expansion aggressively. However only when Oceania is League's can this happen.

I think at the moment the AFL has left all other competitions in it's dust, this is where the NRL need to stand and deliver new policy and tactics to garner more fans for RL nation wide; Rather than just going about in it's current staggnated form.

Official crowds haven't risen for a few season surley alarm bells must be ringing at foxstudios.

 

[Mr_Ugly]

Ukrainian Federation of Rugby League website: http://www.rugbyleague.org.ua/

Looks okay at first glance. Has an English language section as well.

 

[Mr_Ugly]

A bunch of stories of the Ukraine website. It looks like they've been reasonably active.

Professionals - newcomers. (05 08 2007)

In the first days of August, the historic homeland rugby league a seminar on the European level, in the course of which experienced coaches to share knowledge with those who are just beginning to form their own team. Among the "disciples" were representatives of the Federation and Ukraine.

According to A. Martirosyan, the first coach of the Ukrainian team "Legion - XIII" (Kharkiv): "The seminar was very interesting and useful for countries just starting to develop one of the most demanding and dynamic sports games."

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Certified Trainer (26 08 2007)

Arthur Martirosyan - Vice-President of the Federation rugby league in Ukraine and coach the team "Legion XIII" - received a coaching qualification of the European Federation Rugby League.

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Winning Trust A. Martirosian (05 10 2007)

The next friendly match between the teams in Kharkov rugby league was held today at the stadium "Arsenal".

At 14.00 on the playing field Kharkov stadium Arsenal met Legion "XIII" (Trainer - A. Martirosyan) and "HNAU" (Trainer - O. Podolyaka). Thanks raffling several good combinations wards A. Martirosyan won with a score 52:24. As a result of the match was deemed the best scorer Artem Lubensky - team player "XIII" Legion.

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52:12 in favour of the "Legion H III" (17 10 2007)

"Legion" starts and wins. It is these words could become a kind of leitmotif of the next friendly match between major teams in Kharkov rugby league.

Today, at the stadium of Arsenal team A. Martirosyan won over Podolyaki O. Trust. From the first seconds of the fight the players' Legion XIII "took the initiative in their own hands. A strong attack on "zachetku" HNAU and vehement defence of his "city" had "legionnaires' 52 points. All attempts to equal the score HNAU ended 12 points. Total games: 52:12. The best scorer Alexander became Skorbach (Legion "XIII")

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34:10 - "Legion XIII" - "HNAU" (19 10 2007)

Despite all the tricks and ploys that are forced to move coaches of both teams, the current Friday marked another victory for the team "Legion XIII".

Friday, two hours of the day, "Arsenal" stadium, friendly match between the teams in Kharkov rugby league. All normally. But players… S composition team that it was clearly not the case. "Trenersky the Federation sometimes allows himself to conduct reshuffles fury, as if one team players mixing with the other - tells A. Martirosyan, the chief coach of the team" XIII "Legion, vice-president of the Federation rugby league Ukraine. -- Thanks to them, we have to meet the challenge of training in the subtleties of playing the game itself. Thus, the more experienced players like train beginners. Likewise, friendly matches - an integral part of a full-fledged training process. According to O. Podolyaki, HNAU team head coach: "The main reason for the stable won legionnaires - youth and inexperience team HNAU. Many of the players came to the team in early September this year. And, despite all their diligence and perseverance, it is understandable that learn to play professionally for one month - it is impossible ".

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The first official game "XIII Legion" (12 11 2007)

From 9 to 11 November 2007 in Russia in the town of Naro-Fominsk hosted an international tournament in rugby league "Narofominskaya Autumn", which was attended by the Kharkov young team "Legion XIII."

The first official game in the history of his club team Kharkov "XIII" Legion held November 9, 2007 in g.Naro-Fominsk (Russia). Rival team was the silver prize Superleague Championship Russia 2007 - Vereya "club".

Game Account Summit 62:12 in favor of the Verei. So part of the Kharkov teams - two "successful" attempts. According to the coach firm A. Martirosyan: "The outcome of Russians have a formidable number of points was inevitable. "Vereya" - a strong club, which has extensive experience in Championship Russia and the international high-level meetings. Thus, the forces that were originally unequal rivals. But nonetheless, this game was very interesting and useful for Kharkov debutants. The next day - November 10 - "Legion XIII" used to train and work out some "last" game.

And these efforts have not been in vain. November 11, Kharkov met with the team, "Avtomobilist" from Ryazan and won with a score 54:0.

As a result of these games "XIII" Legion took 2 - first place in his first official tournament. "Legion XIII" acted as follows: Forwards: Sergei Kozachenko, Vladimir Loban, Igor Shevtsov, Sergei Kravchenko, Valery Fedchuk, Michael Troyan, Bogdan Dubovik, Vladimir Mashkin. Midfielders and defenders: Andrei Bashevsky, Arthur Martirosyan, Alexander Kozak, Oleg Morhay, Alexander Skorbach, Yuri Smoly, Sergei Fesenko, Nikolai Terenyak, Artem Lyubensky. Team coach Artur Martirosyan.

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First in Ukraine! (14 12 2007)

On November, 25 the Kharkov students have played the first official international match on Rugby League in the city of Kharkov.

Their contender were the Russian sportsmen, students from the city of Rostov-on-Don. This game has been devoted to Day of the student.

The score of a match is 80:6 for the advantage of the Kharkov students.

 

[Mr_Ugly]

Some more stories - including a media report:

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"XIII" Legion - Appearances annual tournament in Moscow (21 02 2008)



On February 20 in Moscow has been the traditional tournament All-Russian Fatherland Defender's Day to celebrate 85 - Jubilee Anniversary and the Society "Dinamo"



The tournament was held in a celebratory scheme (played 2 whistle on 10 minutes, the final whistle 2 fight for 20 minutes). 6 teams have been split into two groups.



The original teams:

Group I

1. Lokomotiv Moscow ""

2. Dynamo Moscow ""

3. Youth team Russia



Группа II Group II

1. "Cosmos" Krasnoznamensk

2. "XIII" Legion Kharkov (Ukraine)

3. "Frigate" Moscow



Shortly before the tournament started a new draw was conducted, and as a result, "team Dynamo Moscow" and "XIII" Legion Kharkov swapped.



Results of the matches:

Group I

Youth Team Russia - Lokomotiv 0-26

Youth Team Russia - Legion XIII 8 -14

Lokomotiv - Legion XIII 20-0



Group II

Dynamo - Cosmos 0-4

Cosmos - Frigate 14-0

Dynamo - Frigate 8-0



Match for 5 - E-6-places:

Frigate - Youth Team Russia 4-28



Match for - 3 rd, 4 th place:

Legion XIII - Dynamo 16-0



FINAL:

LOCOMOTIVE - Cosmos 38-0



As a result, the team took the following locations

1. Lokomotiv Moscow ""

2."Cosmos" Krasnoznamensk

3. "XIII" LEGION Kyiv (Ukraine)

4. Dynamo Moscow ""

5. Youth Team Russia

6. "Frigate" Moscow



In officiate the tournament, in addition to Russian and Ukrainian judges involved: Ivchenko Marienko and Victor Alexander.



The tournament was held at the highest level. The presence of the leadership power structures supported the spirit of the relevant Fatherland Defender's Day holiday.



Following the tournament, can be seen that the group-I have the strongest team.



Once again trophy mastered Lokomotiv Moscow.



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"The newspaper Sovetsky Sport" on the Jubilee tournament in Moscow (23 02 2008)



February 22, 2008, № 27 (17460)



Rugby League. "Locomotive" won the first tournament season

Igor Zetilov





RUGBY LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT



In dinamovskom Manezh has been the traditional football tournament on the Day of Defender of the Fatherland. This time he was held to celebrate 85 - anniversary of society Dynamo. The visit to Moscow teams from Kharkov Legion H III, "gave the tenth consecutive international competition status. In nine previous tournaments won five times "Locomotive", and four - Kazan Strela.



GUESTS ARE IN KHARKOV

In the preliminary phase two teams played whistle to ten minutes - especially not razbezhishsya. "Loco" fierce attacks from the very first seconds. There is a try and four points! Champion of the country in order to save time, even refusing to attempt the conversion. Again, a wave of attacks that has been Railwaymen cover players molodezhki "with the head. Q Finalists whistle "Loco" manage to recruit 34 points and far outweigh the coaching job.



Match "Locomotive" and "The Legion of H III" can be described as historic, because the two countries meet champions.Kharkiv team that an entire night Riding on the bus to Moscow, like many at the tournament. But now "Lokomotiv" much stronger than that and reflects expense - 20:0. Incidentally, it is possible that Kharkov will participate in the championship of our country. Then it will be called the Open Russia.



In Group 'B' desperate struggle for first place and the right to play in the finals with a "locomotive" lead "Dinamo", and "Cosmos". In the match watched by two General: 1 - First Deputy head of the National anti-terrorism komitera Russia Yevgeny Ilyin and 1 - first deputy commander of the space forces of Russia Vladimir Derkach. Only in the second half Cosmos, representing just space troops based in Moscow and Krasnoznamenske, captures credit ball in the box and the opponent wins 4:0.



300-th MATCH NECHAEVA

I finale players "Cosmos" very aggressive beginning. Five Minutes "Lokomotiv" can not even go to the center of the field. When this was in Russian tournaments?

-- As we never awaken? -- ask each other fans' Loco. "

However, everything becomes a bit later to their seats. Andrei Zdobnikov, Roman Ovchinnikov, Nikolai Zagoskin beautiful passage gaining glasses and calm their fans.Railway win and make wonderful gift to one of its leaders Viktor Nechayeva, which became final 300 - m match in the "Locomotive".



-- Despite a major victory, the team has not yet won the best form - Evgeny Klebanov after the final whistle pleased with the victory and "Locomotive", and the atmosphere of competition. -- I want to say thanks to the organizers of the tournament. This is primarily society representatives Dynamo Vladimir Subbotin, Alexei Andreev, and Victor Kraev.



The most productive player Andrei Zdobnikov became a "locomotive", the prize went to the best defender Dmitry dinamovtsu Bratko, and was recognized as the best forwards Alexei flawless Troyan. Special prizes awarded Russia Federation rugby league teams "Cosmos", "Dinamo", and "Legion H III."



"Locomotive" to celebrate the victory once. Already on 25 February at the team flies away to a training camp in Cyprus (before meeting the Celtic Crusaders in the Challenge Cup). There, the team will prepare for the match purposefully third round of Champions Cup (analog Football League game. - Prime. Ed.), Which champion and the Cup of Russia will play in England 8 or 9 March.



For 5 th - Russia - Frigate - 26:4

For - 3 rd place Legion H III - Dynamo - 16:0

Over 1 - first place Lokomotiv - Kosmos - 46:0



http://www.sovsport.ru/gazeta/default.asp?id=283382



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Attention (10 03 2008)



Rugby Leagueg Federation announced a new set of boys team



We invite everyone to try their hand at one of the most exciting and dynamic sports - rugby league. This game - a fundamentally new for Ukraine - has a lot of admirers and fans around the world. Criteria for the selection of players to the team:

age - from 16 to 20 years;

weight - of 75 kg;

growth - from 180 cm (note: seems a bit big)

Training held on the basis of DYUSSH № 7 (Kharkov).Coach: Arthur Martirosyan. Phone: 8-097-785-47-47



PS - Please leave your contact

 

[Mr_Ugly]

<Double post>

 

[ali]

Haha, is anyone noticing the tailored advertising coming up in this thread?

Anyway, great find Mr Ugly. There is some very encouraging news in there. I especially like this bit.

Incidentally, it is possible that Kharkov will participate in the championship of our country. Then it will be called the Open Russia.

This is exactly what I was looking for when I posted earlier in this thread. Having a team from the Ukraine could breathe much needed new life in the championship of Russia. From looking at the map they will surely have to fly to places like St Petersburg, but can probably get to Moscow and Kazan by train or bus. Going by the scores I expect they could provide better opposition than a couple of the current teams.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kharkov

I will be backpacking from Budapest to Kiev in early July, but hadn't planned to go as far east as Kharkov. If there is a match on I may just have to change my plans.

There is a couple of other new teams mentioned above. I'm not sure who Frigate are, maybe a Navy team?

Avtomobilist from Ryazan appear to be a corporate team.

http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_qtkqdt

All in all sounds positive.