Rugby union in Slovenia
Encyclopedia
Rugby union
in Slovenia
is a minor but growing sport. They are currently ranked 43rd by the IRB
.
(a name which Serbia retained long after the disintegration of that state). Although rugby union in Croatia
was the main centre for the sport in the former Yugoslavia, there was still quite a bit of rugby played in Slovenia. The Rugby Championship of Yugoslavia
ran from 1957-1991.
In the early 1990s, former Italian cap, Dr Giancarlo Tizanini was a major driving force in Austrian rugby
. Before his death in 1994, he tried hard to establish a Central European
equivalent of the Six Nations
between Austria
, Hungary
, Croatia
,
Slovenia
and Bosnia
.
Slovenia also borders Italy
, which is a major rugby playing nation. In recent years, however, there have been serious attempts by rugby league
to expand into the Balkans, using substantial financial incentives, and expats from Australia.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
in Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
is a minor but growing sport. They are currently ranked 43rd by the IRB
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
.
Yugoslav period
Rugby union was a moderately popular sport in YugoslaviaYugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
(a name which Serbia retained long after the disintegration of that state). Although rugby union in Croatia
Rugby union in Croatia
Rugby union in Croatia is a minor sport. , they are ranked fiftieth in the International Rugby Board's world rankings,.-Governing body:The Croatian Rugby Union was founded in 1962 , became a full national body in 1992 and joined the IRB in 1994.-Yugoslav period:Rugby union in pre-independence...
was the main centre for the sport in the former Yugoslavia, there was still quite a bit of rugby played in Slovenia. The Rugby Championship of Yugoslavia
Rugby Championship of Yugoslavia
The Rugby Championship of Yugoslavia was the highest level of rugby union competition in the federation of Yugoslavia. The league lasted until 1991, when several successor leagues were formed:*Croatian Rugby Championship- Results :-Wins by club :...
ran from 1957-1991.
Post independence
The breakup of Yugoslavia, fortunately, cost few Slovenian lives. However, it broke up many of the Slovenian rugby structures, which had to be started afresh.In the early 1990s, former Italian cap, Dr Giancarlo Tizanini was a major driving force in Austrian rugby
Rugby union in Austria
Rugby union in Austria is a minor but growing sport. They are currently ranked 79th in the International Rugby Board's world rankings, which ranks only the top ninety-five countries....
. Before his death in 1994, he tried hard to establish a Central European
equivalent of the Six Nations
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
between Austria
Austria national rugby union team
Austria is a third tier rugby union playing nation. They began playing international rugby in the early 1990s. Thus far, Austria has not made an appearance at any of the World Cups.-History:...
, Hungary
Hungary national rugby union team
The Hungary national rugby union team represents Hungary at rugby union. They are governed by the Magyar Rögbi Szövetség , and have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup, although they have entered qualifiers for all the tournaments from the 1995 edition onwards...
, Croatia
Croatia national rugby union team
The Croatia national rugby union team are the national rugby union team of Croatia. They are governed by the Croatian Rugby Union. Croatia have been playing internationals rugby since 1992, they have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup.- Internationals :...
,
Slovenia
Slovenia national rugby union team
The Slovenia national rugby union team represents Slovenia at rugby union. They are governed by the Rugby Zveza Slovenije, and have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup.-Current squad:Slovenia...
and Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina national rugby union team
The Bosnia and Herzegovina national rugby union team represents Bosnia and Herzegovina in international rugby union. The nation have yet to make their debut at the Rugby World Cup...
.
Slovenia also borders Italy
Rugby union in Italy
Rugby union was introduced to Italy in the early 1900s. The Super 10 competition is the main national club competition. The two professional teams in the country are active in Pro12 and also participate in the Heineken Cup. Four italian clubs from the national championship compete in the European...
, which is a major rugby playing nation. In recent years, however, there have been serious attempts by rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
to expand into the Balkans, using substantial financial incentives, and expats from Australia.
Clubs
As of 2009, the following clubs were active:- RAK Olimpija
- RFC BEŽIGRAD
- RFC Doberman
- RFC Emoona
- RFC Maribor
- RFC Ribnica
- RFC Ris
- RK Ljubljana
- RK Sokol Maribor(Maribor School)
- VRK Hermes (Veterans Rugby Club)