Rugby union in Slovenia

Rugby union in Slovenia is a minor but growing sport. As of August 2019 they are currently ranked 71st by the World Rugby governing body.[1]

Rugby union in Slovenia
CountrySlovenia
National team(s)Slovenia
First played1900
Registered players1,065
Clubs16
National competitions

Governing body

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The governing body is Rugby Zveza Slovenije (Rugby Union of Slovenia).[2]

History

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Yugoslav period

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Rugby union was a moderately popular sport in Yugoslavia. Although rugby union in Croatia was the main centre for the sport in Yugoslavia, there was still quite a bit of rugby played in Slovenia. The Rugby Championship of Yugoslavia ran from 1957-1991.

Post independence

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The breakup of Yugoslavia 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. 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.[3]

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.

Clubs

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As of 2009, the following clubs were active:[4]

  • RAK Olimpija
  • RFC BEŽIGRAD
  • RFC Doberman
  • RFC Emoona
  • RFC Maribor
  • RFC Ribnica
  • RFC Ris
  • RK Ljubljana
  • RK Sokol Maribor(Maribor Sokol)
  • VRK Hermes (Veterans Rugby Club)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Men's Rankings - World Rugby | worldrugby.org". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  2. ^ "Home". rugby.si.
  3. ^ Bath, Richard (ed.) The Complete Book of Rugby (Seven Oaks Ltd, 1997 ISBN 1-86200-013-1) p63
  4. ^ [1][dead link]
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