Norway national rugby league team

Norway

Nickname	The Vikings
Governing body	Rugby League Norway (NORSKRL)
Region	Scandinavia
Head coach	Warren Heilig
Captain	Fredrik Skovly
First game
Norway 0-24 GB Pioneers (Oslo, Norway; 4th July 2009)
Biggest win
Norway 32-28 Germany  (Bislett Stadion, Oslo; 9th July 2011)
Biggest defeat
Malta 64-24 Norway  (Gianni Bencini Ground, Pembroke, Malta; 2nd September 2011)

Despite only experiencing their foundation year of rugby league in 2008, Rugby League in Norway has dramatically escalated through junior, amateur and semi-professional level. They are recognised by the Rugby League International Federation as having affiliate status.

History

Continuing the pattern set by such European nations as Czech Republic, Germany and Lebanon, Norway are new to the game. In February of 2008, Norway were granted official observer status by the Rugby League European Federation despite being unranked at this point. This was not the only major 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]

Current squad

• Vince Cabestro
• Peter Engeland
• Cameron Leslie finished his set
• Anders Linnesta
• Glenn Pattersen
• Fredrik Skovly [c]
• Kristian Ytterdahl Elgheim
• Tommy Kjoniksen
• Magne Kleven
• Eric Peter Mellor
• Bjorn Mikkelsen
• Isaac Schmidt
• Kristoffer Milligan
• Kristoffer Borsheim
• Joshua William Skidmore Hornby
• Tony Ivanisevic
• Thomas Hilton
• Erlend Granly Meldalen
• Jørgen Lund Schmidt
• Erlend Roysum
• Trym Vindal

Coach: Warren Heilig ^[2]

Rugby League Norway

In 2009, Rugby League Norway was formed as an opportunity for a national competition was seen. Warren Heilig saw and organised this opportunity as the standard of Rugby Union in the nation was limited to one tier of competition. So, less experienced players could only have limited game time. Heilig had the idea that these less experienced players from big union clubs should try second-tier rugby league. This ensured that league had an advantage over union in that there was a much wider range of age and standard of play. It was also easier to learn - so Rugby League Norway no longer needed to rely on ex-union players and could attract more local junior, youth and amateur players to the game.^[1]

All-time Results Record

Team	First Played	Played	Win	Draw	Loss	Points For	Points Against	Last Meeting
Denmark	2009	2	1	0	1	36	54	2011
Malta	2010	2	0	0	2	44	94	2011
Sweden	2010	1	0	1	0	20	20	2010
Germany	2011	1	1	0	0	32	28	2011

Competitions

Norway's maiden Rugby League event was the "Scandinavia Cup", which was held in Oslo, Norway between 30 and 31 May 2009 ^[3] and played under 9's rules.^[4] Norway played Great Britain Pioneers in their first representative match on July 5, 2009 in Oslo which the visitors won 24 - 0.^[5][6] Norway played their first international on August 22, 2009, against Denmark in Copenhagen and won 28 - 26.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Norway Rugby League Planet". Rugby League Planet. 2009-06-19. http://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/RLP/Nations/Norway.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-19. 
2. ^ http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=36521
3. ^ "All Go In Norway". Last Tackle. 2009-06-19. http://www.lasttackle.com/feature_1599-all-go-in-norway.html. Retrieved 2009-06-19. 
4. ^ "RLEF". RLEF. 2009-06-19. http://www.rlef.eu.com/news.php?id=1071. Retrieved 2009-06-19. 
5. ^ "Pioneers Triumph but Norway Emerge With Credit". RLEF. 2009-06-19. http://www.rlef.eu.com/news.php?id=1086. Retrieved 2009-06-19. 
6. ^ "Norway Match a Great Successt". lastackle.com. 2009-07-05. http://www.lasttackle.com/news_2272-norway-match-a-great-success.html. Retrieved 2009-07-19. 

External links

• Rugby League Planet
• RLEF
• NORSKRL Official Website