Rugby League programs in the USSR and Russia

[Vova12]

Rugby league began to develop in the USSR in the late 80's. In August 1989 the "Union of Rugby-13 of the USSR" was created.
In December 1989 in Leeds in the office of the International Rugby League of Great Britain negotiations were held, which resulted in the invitation to train for London, coaches, judges and players of three teams:
"Tiraspol", "Lions of St. Petersburg", "Moscow Magicians."

In January 1990 the first rugby league match was held between the teams of Moscow and St. Petersburg.

And in April a delegation of 90 people flew to London for an internship.



Training ended in control matches with English teams:
"Olten" (amateur team) - "Lions of Petersburg" 20: 43
"Leeds" (reserve squad) - "Moscow Magicians" 30: 14



"Vigan" (youth squad) - "Tiraspol" 26: 26

This is a game shirt "Moscow magicians".

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And in July the USSR Rugby League Championship began.





First Champion - "Moscow magicians". League Cup - "Tiraspol" (now it is the territory of Transnistria).




One program is printed in English.

[Vova12]

[Vova12]

Saturated at the event was 1991!
In the USSR two teams from London "Raidel York" and "Fulham" flew in and held three exhibition games in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Alma-Ata.
This is a program in St. Petersburg.


And on May 23 in Moscow there was a match between the national teams of the USSR and Great Britain (Team of clubs) .

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And in December 1991 the best Soviet teams flew to the UK with a return visit.

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In the early 90s for rugby in Russia came hard times, but for Rugby League money still were and the Russian team flew to the games in France and South Africa ...

[tackler7]

[img]

This photo was on a RL page on Facebook, thought it would be off interest?[/img]

[Vova12]

tackler7 wrote:

This photo was on a RL page on Facebook, thought it would be off interest?

Yes, for me any information is interesting. No yearbooks Russian rugby Rl did not let out.

[Vova12]

In 1994 the Russian and Moldovan team again flew to England.
They were to play against England (amateur rugby league association).

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The following year in Halifax was held Emerging nations world cup with the participation of the Russian national team.



Russia lost to Scotland and the Cook Islands and defeated the United States.
Photos from the match Russia - Scotland.

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In 1996 Russia again played in Halifax at the student's world championship.

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And in 1997 the British police flew to Russia and showed our police how to play rugby.

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And in 2000 the Russian team took part in the World Cup. The first and only time.





They lost Fiji 12-38, England 4 - 74 and Australia 4 - 110.





In the early 00's the Federation Rugby League had much more money than the rugby Federation.

[paul h]

[

south Africa v russia[/img]

not quite figured out how to post a photo of south Africa v Russia programme from 1992[image][/img]

[Vova12]

paul h wrote:

[ south Africa v russia[/img] not quite figured out how to post a photo of south Africa v Russia programme from 1992[image][/img]

You click "upload a picture," then you select a file, need click the "send", then click on "insert picture and upload another one" ...

[Vova12]

A tour of British teams to Russia took place in 2002. "Bradford Bulls" and "Hull Kingston Rovers" played against "Strela" Kazan and "Lokomotiv" Moscow.

In this magazine you can read about it.



In December these teams for the first time in history participated in the Challenge Cup, but about this next time.

And in September Russia played against the US and won 54 - 10.

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So on December 15 for the first time the club from Russia for the first time played in the Energi Challenge Cup.





And on January 25 another match took place.





Brag directly say nothing .

[Steam pig]

HI, I have just found a spare copy of the team sheet/programme for the Bradford Bulls game against Kazan Arrows, if you can let me have your address I will post it on to you. It has a fold but is complete. You have a great site with some stunning programmes and memorabilia, keep up the good work.

Regards,

Gary.

[Vova12]

Steam pig wrote:

HI, I have just found a spare copy of the team sheet/programme for the Bradford Bulls game against Kazan Arrows, if you can let me have your address I will post it on to you. It has a fold but is complete. You have a great site with some stunning programmes and memorabilia, keep up the good work. Regards, Gary.

Hi Gary!
Thanks for the kind words!
I wrote you a private message with the address.
Regards Vladimir

[Vova12]

In May 2003 the Victory Cup tournament was held in Moscow. Engaged England (amateur team), France, US and Russia.

In the final France defeated Russia 29 - 12.

This is the program of the tournament.




On the cover is Cyril Kulemin. He started playing rugby leagues (World Cup 2000 participant), played in Australia in 7s (rule 13) and in New Zealand in the amateur club.
Since 2004 he played rugby in Europe. French "Agen", "Castr", "Perpignan" and English "London Welch" and "Sail Sharks".



Now she works in the Russian Rugby Federation.