Rugby League Coaching Manuals

The opening matches have been played in this season’s Serbian Student Rugby League competition, the precursor to the country’s domestic campaign. Five sides, all based around Budapest University – one of the largest in Eastern Europe, with a student population of 90,000 – have taken to the field in 2009, an increase of two on the inaugural season last year.

In the opening clash, defending champions FAK (Philosophy Academic Club) beat newcomers FON (Faculty for Organization Sciences), 20-12. Centre Bozovic scored the first try of the year for FAK within a minute of the start at the University Sport Center, FON prop Vukovic replying. Full back Stanic gave FAK a 10-6 half time lead which was extended with touchdowns by Dajc and stand off Susnjara. FON had the final say with a consolation score for full back Zujic.

In the second game, a late try for Stamenic meant that PF (Faculty of Law) defeated FPN (Faculty for Political Sciences), 10-6 after the sides had been level at the break. Centre Planojevic opened the scoring for FPN, loose forward Kovacevic replying for the eventual winners.

David Bakic, director of Serbian Rugby League student competition, commented “We hope that we will improve our performance and that we will have more universities who will play rugby league in future.”

“At moment we have around 100 or more students who are registered to play. Serbia is small country and we have just seven state owned universities and four or five private institutions.”

“We wish to thank Hainault Bulldogs and Huddersfield Underbank Rangers, two clubs from the UK, who donated equipment for our sides.”

The student season lasts for five weeks and the other side involved are SF (Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering).