UKRAINE RUGBY LEAGUE NATION OVERVIEW
Information on this page was updated – 19/5/2014
Foundation Year – 2007
International Team – Ukraine Rugby League
Top level domestic competition – The Ukraine based club Legion XIII currently play in the Russian Championship. Ukraine plan to start their own championship in 2009.
History – Ukraine has been involved in rugby league in different capacities for some time. The URL plan to introduce rugby league into schools. On November 2007 Kharkiv students played the first official international rugby league match on Ukrainian soil against a Russian student team.
On the 13th of July 2008 Ukraine played their second international game against a touring GB Student Rugby League Chairman XIII team in Kharkiv. In a close battle Ukraine eventually went down 36 – 18.
The Ukraine based club Legion XIII currently play in the Russian Championship. Playing out of Krarkiv they provide the bulk of the players for the national side.
In February 2008 Ukraine were unranked in European rankings but awarded official observer status by the Rugby League European Federation (RLEF).
Ukraine were suppose to take part the European Bowl in 2008. Due to visa issues Ukraine had to forfeit all games.
In a boost for the sport in Ukraine the inaugural Ukrainian Championship is due to start in 2009. The Ukrainian Championship will involve five teams.
The recent success of the Rugby League World Cup will provide further funds to develop the sport throughout Europe. The Rugby League European Federation (RLEF) will now have more funds to invest in development officers and continue assisting rugby league’s growth. With the right support many more nations including Ukraine could possibly be involved in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup qualifiers. Ukraine’s effort in setting up a local championship will help them meet the RLIF strict criteria for teams wanting to participate in World Cup qualifying games.
In early 2009 Ukraine were ranked 28th in World seedings by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF).
Ukraine along with Estonia and Latvia took part in the European Bowl again in July/August 2009. Ukraine became 2009 European Bowl champions by defeating both Latvia and Estonia.
Dear Readers, If you have first hand knowledge of the current Rugby League situation in Ukraine we would love to hear from you. Please email us at: webmaster@rugbyleagueplanet.com or join our international rugby league Forums at http://forums.rugbyleagueplanet.com and let us all know what’s going on in your part of the world.
UKRAINE INTERNATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE RESULTS
2014 Rugby League Results
Jul 5th Italy 54 v Ukraine 12, Gemona (European Championship B)
May 24th Russia 24 v Ukraine 18, Naro-Fominsk (European Championship B)
May 17th Serbia 40 v Ukraine 14 (European Championship B)
2013 Rugby League Results
Sep 29th Czech Republic 4 v Ukraine 68 (European Bowl)
Jul 6th Ukraine 42 v Norway 14 (European Bowl)
Jun 16th Ukraine 26 v BARLA Young Lions 22
2011 Rugby League Results
Sep 30th Serbia 10 – 4 Ukraine (Milan Kosanovic Cup)
Sep 10th 4 Ukraine – Russia 36 (Milan Kosanovic Cup)
2010 Rugby League Results
Sep 18th Ukraine 112 – Latvia 0 (European Shield East)
Jun 27th Russia 52 – Ukraine 14 (European Shield East)
Jun 4th BARLA under 23’s 46 – Ukraine Students 12
2009 Rugby League Results
Jul 26th Ukraine 86 – Estonia 0 (European Bowl)
Jul 24th Ukraine 40 – Latvia 6 (European Bowl)
Jun 20th BARLA under 23’s 38 – Ukraine 20
2008 Rugby League Results
Jul 13th GB Student RL 36 – Ukraine 18
