FC Barcelona add rugby league section

Correspondent

Catalonian Rugby League has received a massive boost with the decision of football giants Barcelona to add a 13-a-side section to its renowned sporting club.

F.C. Barcelona are one of two new teams to take part in the 2010 Catalan Rugby League Championship which began last week and will carry on to mid-June.

With more than 200 players involved, the re-vamped Championship will become the focus for participation in the code in the region with Barca one of two new teams, the other being C.R. Cornellà.

Barcelona already have handball, roller hockey, basketball and athletics teams alongside their football operation and their participation is a major boost to the development work going on.

Reigning champions are Barcelona University Club, B.U.C., who beat C.R. Sant Cugat 36-28 in last year’s inaugural final.

Seven sides will contest the 2010 season, B.U.C, GEIEG Girona, F.C. Barcelona, C.E. INEF Lleida, C.R. Sant Cugat, C.R. Cornellà and C.R. Valls-Reus.

Information can be found on the official web site, www.rugbylliga.cat, which last year received more than 31.000 hits from 81 different countries worldwide.