Rugby union in Greece
Encyclopedia
Rugby union
in Greece
is a minor but growing sport.
However, it has not been well organised until recently. The Greek Diaspora emigrated to many rugby playing countries, notably England, South Africa and Australia, and some of these people have returned or informed their family about the game. A second factor is that a number of British expatriates have come to live in Greece and some have set up clubs. However, these invariably are not very inclusive of native Greeks.
Rugby started developing in Greece during the 1990s, and the setting up of the HRU in April 2005, led to the national team participating in the European Nations Cup
in 2005, and the establishment of annual league competitions from 2005 to the present.
This is partly due to pressure from rugby league in Greece
which has started aggressive recruitment in recent years, and has set up a national team composed mostly of Greek Australians, managed by Colin Mylonas, himself an Australian. Although rugby union has a much longer history in Greece, the Greek Rugby League was set up in 2003.
In 2005-6 Athens claimed the title in unsatisfactory manner when Rhodes Colossi were unable to get to the final in Athens because bad weather prevented their ferry from leaving Rhodes. Athens were thus given a walkover although in fairness they had dominated the season and were clear favourites to win.
In 2006-7, Athens and Rhodes again made it to the final which Athens won 19-0 at the Zirinio Stadium in Athens. The following year the championship was played as a straight league with no Grand Final - Athens comfortably won it with Attica Springboks finishing as runners-up.
The 2008-9 season again saw Athens emerging triumphant although only after an exciting final against Attica Springboks at the stadium in Glyka Nera which Athens won 22-18.
Seven teams took part in the 2009-10 championship. These were Athens RFC, Athens Spartans, Attica Springboks, Iraklis Thessaloniki, Macedones Evosmos, Rhodes Colossi, Thessaloniki Lions.
After a 44-match winning streak Athens were finally beaten by Rhodes on October 18, 2009.
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 Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
is a minor but growing sport.
Governing body
The governing body is the Hellenic Rugby Federation (Ελληνικής Ομοσπονδίας Ράγκμπι), which is affiliated to FIRA, but not to the IRB. It was set up in 2004, at the instigation of the then Deputy Minister of Sport, George Orfanos, with the subsequent appointment of Dr Evangelos Stamos as President, a position which he still holds.History
Rugby first appears to have been played by British sailors in Greece, probably in the early 20th century.However, it has not been well organised until recently. The Greek Diaspora emigrated to many rugby playing countries, notably England, South Africa and Australia, and some of these people have returned or informed their family about the game. A second factor is that a number of British expatriates have come to live in Greece and some have set up clubs. However, these invariably are not very inclusive of native Greeks.
Rugby started developing in Greece during the 1990s, and the setting up of the HRU in April 2005, led to the national team participating in the European Nations Cup
European Nations Cup (rugby union)
The European Nations Cup is the European Championship for tier 2 and tier 3 rugby union nations. The Championship is split into 7 divisions with 5 or 6 teams in each. The divisions play on a two-year cycle with the teams playing each other both home and away...
in 2005, and the establishment of annual league competitions from 2005 to the present.
This is partly due to pressure from rugby league in Greece
Rugby league in Greece
Rugby league is a popular team sport emerging in Greece. The Greece national rugby league team is now an affiliate member of the Rugby League International Federation.-History:...
which has started aggressive recruitment in recent years, and has set up a national team composed mostly of Greek Australians, managed by Colin Mylonas, himself an Australian. Although rugby union has a much longer history in Greece, the Greek Rugby League was set up in 2003.
Domestic Championship
The domestic championship began in 2005-2006 and has been dominated by Athens RFC who won the first four championships.In 2005-6 Athens claimed the title in unsatisfactory manner when Rhodes Colossi were unable to get to the final in Athens because bad weather prevented their ferry from leaving Rhodes. Athens were thus given a walkover although in fairness they had dominated the season and were clear favourites to win.
In 2006-7, Athens and Rhodes again made it to the final which Athens won 19-0 at the Zirinio Stadium in Athens. The following year the championship was played as a straight league with no Grand Final - Athens comfortably won it with Attica Springboks finishing as runners-up.
The 2008-9 season again saw Athens emerging triumphant although only after an exciting final against Attica Springboks at the stadium in Glyka Nera which Athens won 22-18.
Seven teams took part in the 2009-10 championship. These were Athens RFC, Athens Spartans, Attica Springboks, Iraklis Thessaloniki, Macedones Evosmos, Rhodes Colossi, Thessaloniki Lions.
After a 44-match winning streak Athens were finally beaten by Rhodes on October 18, 2009.