Albanian team joins Greek Rugby League domestic competition as part of ‘exciting’ expansion

·

This years season may have been cut short, yet the Greek Rugby League Association (GRLA) has been working to expand their 2020/21 domestic championship to a record eight teams.

Starting from September this year, the Greek domestic championship will feature eight teams with the recent inclusion of Albanian capital team Tirana RLC.

The expansion follows over two years of talks between the GRLA and Tirana about the possibility of playing in the Greek League. GRLA reports that last season was deemed premature by both parties, however several Albanian players made the journey to play matches with Greek teams.

GRLA President George Stilianos. Photo: Treize Mercato

GRLA President George Stilianos stated that he was excited at the prospect of having the Albanian club in the competition.

“Having been to Tirana in 2018 with the Attica Rhinos team, I saw first hand how much passion and potential they have up there. If it wasn’t for money and logistics, we would have brought them in straight away,” President Stilianos stated.

Stilianos explained that they association is still finalising the proper arrangements of the competition, yet says there will still be an East and a West conference.

“It is a long and grueling trip, however we feel an obligation to help Albania with their development. All too often, we’ve seen in European countries, where they have just one team, over time, with no regular matches and no certainty of their futures, these teams disappear. 

“We feel we cannot sit back and allow the same to happen in Albania. Hopefully giving them regular, meaningful fixtures will spark greater interest in the sport up there and help them start a second team and grow, making them self-sufficient.”

The GRLA president thanked the competing Greek teams for “seeing the bigger picture” and being willing to accomodate the foreign side.

Tirana RLC captain Shaban Penxho states he is happy with the new relationships formed in Greece. Photo: Greek Rugby League Association

“We are very happy with the relationships we have created with our friends in Greece and we are looking forward to taking things to the next level. Growing and developing rugby league in our communities should continue to be the main focus for both countries,” Tirana RLC captain, Shaban Penxho commented on the expansion.

The GRLA notes that they are continuing to seek formal talks with the Ministry of Sport and also the Hellenic Federation of Modern Pentathlon, in order to find a solution that will allow matches to be played without any interference.

2020/21 domestic championship teams:

  • Aris Eagles
  • Attica Rhinos
  • Rhodes Knights
  • AEK
  • Athens City Raiders
  • Patra
  • Larisa
  • Tirana RLC

greek film festival melbourne

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Back to Greece: Four journeys, one shared return

As the Back to Greece series closes, what remains is more than a collection of travel diaries - it’s a mosaic of memory and identity.

Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney to hold memorial marking 113 years since Lesvos’ liberation

The Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney will honour the 113th anniversary of the Liberation of Lesvos with a series of commemorative events.

Film Review: ‘Athens Midnight Radio’ is Haralambidis’ nocturnal love letter to Athens

The 30th Greek Film Festival opened last week and featured a screening of Renos Haralambidis’ Athens Midnight Radio (2024).

Elena Pappas honoured with the 2025 Stephen Myall Award

At the Law Institute of Victoria’s annual awards ceremony in October 2025, Elena Pappas was recognised with the Stephen Myall Award.

‘Fertility and Filoxenia’: Empowering conversations on fertility and IVF options

The Hellenic Medical Society of Australia and Greek Community of Melbourne invite everyone to attend a free educational event on fertility.

You May Also Like

‘Poor Things’ film sweeps four awards at 2024 Oscars

The winners have officially been revealed for the 2024 Oscars, with Yorgos Lanthimos’ film sweeping several major award titles.

South Melbourne remain on top after victory over Hume City

South Melbourne FC remain on top of the National Premier Leagues Victoria scoreboard after securing a 1 - 0 victory over Hume City FC.

‘Glocal’ Engineers: Humanitarian engineering as a vehicle for sustainable community development

How can humanitarian engineering knowledge be applied to disaster relief or long-term community development? Spyros Schismenos explains.