Nickname The Vikings Region Europe Captain Kristoffer Milligan Location Norway | Governing body Norway Rugby League Head coach Craig West RLIF ranking 26th | |
Norway had their foundation year of rugby league in 2008, Rugby League in Norway has experiences some through junior and amateur level. There is a small 6 team premier competition and several development pups. They are unrecognised by the Rugby League International Federation as having affiliate status.
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For more Norwegian stats, news, team results and more visit Norway's RLEF Page.
History
In February 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.
Current squad
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.
Rugby League clubs in Norway -
Competitions
Norway's maiden Rugby League event was the "Scandinavia Cup", which was held in Oslo, Norway between 30 and 31 May 2009 and played under 9's rules. Norway played Great Britain Pioneers in their first representative match on 5 July 2009 in Oslo which the visitors won 24 - 0. Norway played their first international on 22 August 2009, against Denmark in Copenhagen and won 28 - 26.