Four new clubs to join Czech RL's new Second Division

Tony Munro - 2/2/2012

The Czech Rugby League Association recently held its AGM. RLEF Development Officer, Andy Mulhall, has all the news

The senior Czech Rugby League teams will be divided into 2 divisions in 2012. This decision was made at the CZRLA's 2012 AGM, where formal proposals were accepted from 4 new clubs - Hradec Kralove, Mikulov, Usti Nad Labem and Havliekuv Brod - for Associate Membership of the sport's Czech governing body, while the Prague Vikings, who have competed in all three years of the Czech Rugby League Championship and also satisfied minimum requirements for the position, were granted Full Membership Club status.

With 10 senior clubs now operating in the Czech Republic, but with a vast gulf in experience between those teams who have progressively played in the Czech Championship since it was inaugurated in 2009 and those five debuting in full 13-a-side competition in 2012, it was felt that two divisions was a positive move for Czech rugby league domestic development.

The 2012 CZRLA season will kick-off in March with a domestic Nines tournament involving all clubs, followed by the second annual CZRLA International Nines tournament to be held over the Easter long weekend in Pardubice, before the two division Czech Championship is launched in April. The First Division will be made up of the same 4 clubs - Pardubice Jets, Lokomotiva Beroun, Vrchlabi Mad Squirrels and Prague Vikings - who competed in the 2011 Czech Championship, while the Second Division will consist of five clubs playing their debut seasons - Chrudim (who played 1 match, a post-season friendly against Vrchlabi, in 2011), Hradec Kralove, Mikulov, Usti Nad Labem and Havliekuv Brod.

In 2012, the Czech Republic will look to defend the Euro Bowl it won in 2011 with a decisive win against Hungary, while an under 18s Czech national team will compete in a European tournament in Serbia and will also take on the might of the touring BARLA under I8s team in 2 matches at home in June.

The CZRLA is open to hosting touring sides from abroad and is also keen to round out the CZRLA International 9s Tournament over the Easter long weekend with one more participant, be it a club or representative team.

Anyone interested in cooperating in either should contact the Czech Rugby League Development Manager on the following email: andy.mulhall@rlef.eu.com