Rugby league in Norway

Rugby league is a minor team sport in Norway. The sport is administered there by Rugby League Norge, which was set up in late 2008. Rugby League Norge works according to RLEF and NIF laws.

History

Norway are new to the game. In February 2008, Norway were granted official observer status by the Rugby League European Federation. This was not the only point of development in the year, as a committee was formed, based in capital city Oslo, with the aim of developing the game all over the country.[1]

Rugby League in Norway progressed in 2009 after ex London Skolars professional player Warren Heilig took over responsibility of developing the game. The first rugby league event to take place on Norwegian soil was the 'Scandinavia Cup' 9-a-side tournament in Oslo. Following this, a national team was selected to play against the British and Irish Student Pioneers. Norway lost this match 24-0. Later in the year, Norway played their first full international match, against Denmark in Copenhagen. Norway won the match 28-26.

In 2010 the first league season started in June, with in a Grand Final won by Oslo RK, defeating Lillestrøm Lions. Meanwhile, the Norwegian national team competed in their first official tournament, the 2010 European Bowl competition against Malta.

2011 hoped to see the domestic competition expand to see the existence of 5 teams: Aker Seagulls (Oslo), Flisbyen Broncos (formerly Lillestrøm Lions), Fredrikstad Falcons, Oslo Capitals, Tromsø Polar Bears. The 2011 Norwegian Grand Final is scheduled for September 10.

On 26 October 2011, Rugby League Norge was granted Affiliate status within the RLEF [2]

Domestic competition

Norway runs a senior men competition with 6 teams participating in the national 13's championship.

There are also emerging clubs in the southern half of Norway looking to establish themselves through tournaments and friendlies.

Domestic competition champions

Media

In February 2011 Rugby League Norway announced a deal with TV 2 Sport that will see one game of the Engage Super League screened each week.[3] In addition, a timeslot was allocated to promote the fledgling domestic competition each week. The first Super League game ever screened live in Norway was the clash between St Helens and Wigan Warriors. That game was held on Saturday February 12 20:00 CET at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff as part of Millennium Magic.

In 2012 the Norwegian Grand Final was broadcast live on the Internet through NRK (Norsk Riks Kringkasting). This was a huge step towards showing people the game in Norway. In 2015 NRK again broadcast the Grand Final.

National team

Norway's national team is nicknamed "Vikingene". They first competed in 2009.

References

  1. ↑ "Norway Rugby League Planet". Rugby League Planet. 2009-06-19. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  2. ↑ "Rugby League European Federation Admits Four New Members". RLEF. 2011-10-26. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  3. ↑ "Engage Super League arrives in Norway".
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