Rugby League development in Germany

Well we move into our second year following much success in our first year.Heidelberg and StuSta München having the honour of playing the firstever Domestic Rugby League Game in Germany, A German Development team losing to Scotland U19s and a narrow loss to the more experienced Dutch team in Rotterdam,

The Arc who have kindly agreed to be Major Sponsors of Rugby League in Munich-Buying the StuSta kit for Next 3 years as well as showing all the Major Rugby League internationals, NRL and Super League games from Europe and Australasia.Also all the shirts on display at The Arc are Rugby League teams-North Queensland Cowboys, Halifax RLFC, Nottingham Outlaws, Hemel Stags and of course the german national Shirt-which can be bought from one of our sponsors at www.forty-twenty.co.uk for €65 (Including P and P)

2006 will see Bad Reichenhall, Linz, Innsbruck and hopefully Karlruhe join Heidelberg Sharks and StuSta München.We have lined up a 9s Event this time in heidelberg as well as Internationals against Austria, Holland and Scotland Students lined up plus maybe the Australian Navy.We have also an invitation for the Lezignan (Southern France) 9s, Rotterdam 9s and Middlesex 9s (London)-which will see Heidelberg Sharks representing Germany in the Middlesex 9s.

We are looking for players to join the likes of myself, Olli Kempkens, Mike Brack, Lee Grice, Yalcin Ferat, Christian Leitner, Alex Werz etc.No idea what Rugby League is then it doesnt matter as we will will train you.Rugby League is very simple to understand and anybody who has played Touch rugby will find League very similar.We will train will with StuSta München Rugby Club and do a mixture of Fitness, Rugby League Training and Rugby Union training.We meet at 6 pm Tuesday and Thursday at Willi Graf Str, Grasmeierstr Studentenstadt and train til around 8pm.Its 2 minutes walk from the Studentenstadt U bahn station through the Student complex.In mid October we will go inside a hall.Give Rugby League a try!

What is Rugby League?Rugby league is a fast, pulseracing all action sport that requires endurance, pace, quick thinking as well as a few beers after the game.Rugby League is a game where players have to work as an individual but even more ´work as a team.Rugby League is a game that requires both players and individuals to be disciplined, cool headed as well as aggressive and tough.Fast players usually go out wide where the gaps are, the creators are often in the middle with the Rough Tough no nonsense forwards.A creator usually a half back or five eigth and Lock will be able to pass 20 metres and are the link often between the backs and forwards.

Rugby League is nothing like Rugby Union despite carrying a similar name-much as American football is nothing like Football (Soccer).We have 13 guys on each team with 4 subs normally interchanging 12 times in the 80 minutes.A team has 6 chances/Tackles to score a try (4 Points) and a conversion (2 Points).A penalty like if a team arent back 10 metres (Offside) or bad late tackle or head high then a penalty occurs.A penatly can be a kick to gain more ground or for Goal-(again 2 Points).A field goal (1 point)can be kicked anytime but the ball MUSt hit the ground first before kicking it.

Here is a 11 Minute clip of Rugby League at its best in the State of Origin series.It shows why Rugby League players are amongst the best athletes in the world and why Rugby League is so brilliant to watch and play

State Of Origin

We are trying to get a StuSta Rugby League club formed and have a few people on board both from Here as well as Germans.However we are still looking for other people to come on board the StuSta Rugby League Commitee board.We would meet once a month at The Arc.We aim to have not too much for people to do as then less stress.We will try and get it so people are working in pairs so that if for what ever reason somebody has no so much time or is away then the responsibility is not too much.Main thing is to have fun and have the chance to meet others from Germany and the world who like Rugby League.Even if you have no interest or dont know what Rugby League is its no problem.Interested then PM me.

We have a good number of people on board now the commitee and thanks to the guys and gals who PMed me.We will have a first committee meeting in a couple of weeks.There is always room for more volunteers/commitee members male or female so just contact me if you want to join

An Alpine 9 a side League (Normally Rugby League is 13 a side) will aim to kick off in June with the following teams so far verbally agreeing to play.

Germany
Augsburg, Bad Reichenhall, StuSta München

Austria
Linz, Innsbruck

We will also have a state of Origin styled game where the best Austrians from the Alpine League will play the Best Germans from the Alpine League.This game will be play in mid june in Bad Reichenhall

The Heidelberg 9s will be played on the 8/9 July.Heidelberg will also play a full 13s game v an Alpine Rep side likely in August.We are also looking to play Serbia and the Netherlands.

The Arc will again be the Main Shirt Sponsors for StuSta Rugby League tho we are still on the look out for other sponsors who will be well looked after by us and help us raise the Profile of Rugby League in Munich and the area as well as raising the Profile of the sponsor not just in Bavaria but worldwide as have alot of interest from people in Ireland, Australia, America, UK, France, South Africa etc of what we are doing here.

We are also looking for a Sponsor for the Alpine League Competition so if your company would like to get alot of publicity and not just on here or in Germany but worldwide as the reports of games will be going into Papers in the UK and Australia etc.There is by the way a German Newspaper in Australia who have a fairly large cicrulation also interested in what we are doing.Sponsors will get their moneys worth back no fear.Any potential sponsors either for StuSta or the Alpine 9s can contact me on simoncooper@t-online.de

I'll be up for a bit of league 9s. Having played union against a couple of eastern european sides I can see the Serbia game being a tough one.

I am trying to get it to be as muchof a German side as poss but if we need the odd foreigner then you could be in.The aim is to get the german Development side into a full German side by 2008.We will use players like myself who have German Parentag and if pushed German Grandparentage but wont use if at all poss the 3 year residency rule.

There will be still plenty of games for you to be involved in Keith so no worries!

StuSta München Rugby League Club has just had its first meeting today.StuSta Rugby League Club is the first separate Rugby League Club in Germany while the others clubs are part of other Sports Clubs.We have a Commitee of 9 already with a mixture of German, British and Australians on the Commitee giving us a good platform to work on.StuSta-München is nothing to do with Stusta Rugby Union Club although we share the same facilities and will look to work together where we can.If anybody would like to try playing Rugby League or would like to join as a member for a year whether you want to play or not then simply send me a PM

The Fee for 1 Years Membership is only €20.Send me a PM on how to pay.The Fee will help pay for Insurance, Travel Costs, Equipment etc.We will also look to organize a number of Social Events and possibly run a Trip to London or France to watch a live game depending on costs etc.We will play in an Alpine League 9s League with Bad Reichenhall and Augsburg as well as a Couple of Austrian Leagues.The offer is open to everybody whether you are British, German, American or whatever.

forty-twenty.co.uk who are the Main Stockists of Germany Rugby League Shirts, have reported to have sold out already of their first batch less than a month after being on sale! More Rugby League Deutschland Merchandise is planned to go on sale in 2006.This includes Baseball Caps, Beanies, T-Shirts and Polo Shirts

Germany Development play in Eastern Europe in 2006!
Germany will play Estonia in Talinn with the likely date Sunday July 16th.This will be a total new experience for the Germans who will be likely bolstered by Anthony Seibold (Former Brisbane Bronco, London Broncos, Hull KR), Danny Stocks (Hemel Hempstead Stags) Marcus and Kristian Keinhorst (Leeds Akkies) as well as the German players from Heidelberg Sharks, StuSta München RLC, Bad Reichenhall.

Also planned is the first ever international 9s to be played in Talinn with hopefully 3 German Clubs to be added to the planned Estonian, Russian, Georgian, Lithuanian etc teams.Rugby League is one of the fastest growing sports in Europe and this further underlines that point.

Germany are also playing Austria in Bad Reichenhall in the end of June as well as hopefully competing against our great rivals the Dutch.If you would like to join us as either a fan or a player then PM me and will give you all the details!

Germany will play Austria in Bad Reichenhall on Sunday 25th June Kick Off 1400Hrs. More details to follow
Germany will travel to Tallinn to play Estonia on Saturday 22nd July with the Tallinn Rugby League 9s being played on the Sunday 23rd July which will feature a number of players from StuSta München Rugby League club
On the weekend of 8/9 July Heidelberg Sharks will host a 9s Event.

More Rugby League Deutschland merchandise is available to order now at www.forty-twenty.co.uk
Now ready to order is a Rugby League Deutschland T Shirt and also a Polo Shirt

Rugby League Deutschland have a board of 8 for 2006

President------------------ Simon Cooper
Secretary------------------ Mike Brack
Treasurer-------------------Olli Kempkens
Media------------------------Leo Berngruber
Assistant---------------------Christine Sappel
National Coach--------------Uwe Jansen
Direcor of Rugby League---Anthony Seibold
Lotto/Fund Raising----------Dan Stocks

Hans Grüninger Gymnasium, Markgröningen are currently in the near of Marseille,France and learning about Rugby League and playing the game with the twin school there.They are likely to include some aspects of Rugby League in the Sports programme.

Heidelberg Sharks U12s are currently organizing for a U12s team from the Hull region in England to make a visit in the Summer

New Rugby League Deutschland Polo Shirts and T-Shirts are now available from www.forty-twenty.co.uk

Rugby League Deutschland is currently fighting to get official recognition from the DSB and the NOK. Alot of work is going on which may take a couple of years to come to any results.

Alpenstoff Bier will be the Sponsor of the Germany v Austria game in Bad Reichenhall on 25th June where its hoped a crowd of 250-300 will be present

Estonia v Germany Rugby League European Development Tri Nations Series 2006

Germany head the table after defeating Austria narrowly 34-32 in Bad Reichenhall but now face the task of going to Tallinn to play Estonia on Saturday 22nd July. With a couple of injurys and unavailabilities, has meant the side having to bring in a few new faces including young 16 year old winger Nikolaus Keinhorst. The team will see the debut of former Brisbane Bronco and Canberra Raiders Star Anthony Seibold who has family still in the near of Nürnberg although he is currently Conditioner at Welsh side Celtic Crusaders at Bridgend. With his added experience along side the likes of Danny Stocks, Kristian Keinhorst, Marcus Keinhorst, Simon Cooper, Leo Berngruber and Paul Berngruber should see the Germans win although it is expected to be a tough game. The players have all payed their own way to get to Tallinn.The German Rugby League has been boosted by the news that 7 Schools are now doing Rugby League as part of their Sports Programme. The Heidelberg Sharks are also planning a tour to England for their U11s and U13s team in 2007

The Estonian Rugby League have been helped in their preperation to the game with Luton University, in England where a number of Estonians study providing them with a fitness programme to follow.Australian-Estonian Kalev Kalame is the dangerman for the Estonians and will be looking to create many problems alongside Glyn Perco. Its still not clear how strong the Estonians will be but they will be expected to give 100% just like the Austrians did recently and who very nearly caused an upset so the Germans will be careful not to give the Estonians any chance to score if possible.

The game has received much interest in Estonia, especially with the Television Company and main Newspaper in Tallinn doing articles on the game. Estonia has big problems with drugs amongst its youth population and the Estonian Rugby League is hoping that with the interest in the game they will make some money so that the sport can look to work with Estonian teenagers and keep them away from drugs by playing the game instead.

Germany Played 1 Won 1 Lost 0 For 34 Against 32 2 PTS +2
Estonia...Played 0 Won 0 Lost 0 For 00 Against 00 0 PTS 0
Austria...Played 1 Won 0 Lost 1 For 32 Against 34 0 PTS -2

25 June Germany 34-32 Estonia (Bad Reichenhall)
22 July Estonia v Germany (Tallinn)
02 September Austria v Estonia (Innsbruck)

Estonia 24 Germany 38

Germany have won the European Rugby League Development Series after beating a very strong physical Estonian side in Tallinn at the weekend. Germany were always in front in this game, tho having no Subs and losing Goal Kicking prop Brunnauer to a knee injury midway through the first half as well as Back rower Grime breaking his hand but staying on until the end made things awkward. Star for the Germans was former Brisbane Bronco and Canberra Raiders star Anthony Seibold who scored three tries and caused problems all day for the Estonians.
The Germans raced into a 14-0 lead but then with the injuries and not sticking to the game plan allowed the Estonians back in to the game. At half time things were set up nicely as the Estonians went in the sheds 4 Points down with the score being 14-18.

The second stanza again saw the Germans score the first Points when strong running and quick play the balls from Danny Stocks, Simon Cooper and Leo Berngruber saw both Khristian Keinhorst and Anthony Seibold complete 3 tries a piece but having lost Brunnauer didnt have a goal kicker to add further points. Fullback Paul Berngruber was causing problems with his pace and his stepping and young winger Nikolaus Keinhorst also proving difficult to put down. However the Estonians never gave in and came back yet again but further tries from Uwe Jansen and Markus Keinhorst calmed things for Germany but still the Estonians kept coming and grabbed a late consolation try.Having no goalkicker could of cost the Germans the game as they only converted 1 out of 8 tries but thankfully goalkicking wasnt too important this time. The score finishing 24-38 and the noisy crowd which was treated to a tough game want more. The German Embassy came out and supported the German team and created much noise to help them win and was presented with a replica Shirt after the game that will go on display in the Germanm Embassy in Tallinn

The German players have learnt alot this weekend having Australian born Seibold around whos family are from Vilseck near Nürnberg and he is currently working as a conditioner for the Welsh Club Celtic Crusaders in NL2, who are likely to be in the European Super League in 2009. Danny Stocks whos family are from North Germany although Danny is English born and plays for NL3 side Hemel Stags and the experience and training from Anthony and Danny was invaluable to the German guys who dont have to much experience.

To show the commitment shown, 4 German players drove the 2000 Km from Bad Reichenhall to Tallinn via Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia and then back again and all the players payed their own way. With 8 Schools now involved in the game things are looking good for the future.

cool

did you score a try, dallym?

No I didnt score-am not really a try scorer more a Tackler which is why I play in the forwards. Much more fun tackling!

Anthony Seibold (3), Marcus Keinhorst (3) Uwe Jansen and Khristian Keinhorst was the tryscorers and Andy Brunnauer (1) and Marcus Keinhorst was the goalkickers.

The whole of the German Embassy came to the game and loved every minute of it and made plenty of noise and waved their flags etc. After the game the Embassy was presented with a German Replica Shirt.

Its a shame you and a couple of others didnt come Dee as we had a great weekend and one player brought his family over along with his parents . Some great restaurants up there and the old town is very interesting and even has a Museum on medieval Torture! Tallinn is an old Hansa League town and is more Nordic than Russian influenced in the Old Town. Recommend the place to anybody-very interesting place and the women are beautiful!

For pictures from the game go to www.danae.ee/rugby/

would have loved to come, but i reckoned as the only girlie on a trip of rugby blokes i would have cramped your style a bit

Dannys wife and Mum was there as was Mick the Physios Girlfriend as well. Nevermind!

Germany will likely be playing 4 games next year and we could have a couple of more teams on board thus increasing our player base which will be better. The strongest team will be Heidelberg Sharks and will look to help them increase the Youth Development work they are doing.