Serbian domestic competition set for expansion

The Serbian Rugby League Federation (SRLF) have confirmed that there will be more teams competing in their domestic league this season.

The first division will increase from four to six clubs with Red Star, Dorćol, Partizan, Radnički Nova Pazova, Tašmajdan Tigers and Radnički Niš participating.

The Serbian season officially begins on February 28, with the Super Cup match at BASK Arena in Belgrade between last year’s champions Red Star and the national cup holders, Dorćol.

Round one will start a week later, on March 7 and 8.

“We have presented a strategy of further development,” said SRLF president Predrag Pantić.

“The main points in the plan are to strengthen youth rugby and big plans for all national team selections.

“The crucial project for us is developing basic rugby league at primary and secondary schools in Belgrade – a project that recently commenced through a partnership with the Australian Embassy in Serbia.”

The expansion move comes at the same time as a large initiative begins to take rugby league into Serbian schools.

The SRLF are undertaking a huge project to teach the game to 11-15-year-old boys and girls, with 200 students currently playing the sport.

Over 4000 students have now experienced rugby league in total, however, and there is a new representative schools league being established.

The vast majority of the work undertaken in Serbia is done by volunteers, and there is a constant battle to find funding.

The Australian embassy have donated cash to help fund part of the project, but the rest of the money needs to be provided by donors.

If you are interested in donating to help develop Serbian rugby league then you can do so here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/promotion-of-rugby-league-in-serbian-schools