[url=http://www.lasttackle.com/news_4500-italy-set-for-rugby-league-growth.htmlFollowing their recent victory over Wales in Wrexham and a drawn home series with Lebanon, there are signs of definitive progress within the sport in Italy.[/url

Whats the domestic set up like in Italy? (How many clubs are there, how are the leagues structured, are they semi-pro?).

[url=http://www.firl.it/Have a look here.[/url

Cheers.

From what I can make out, there's a six team semi-pro competition, split into two pools of three (North & South). All the clubs were established this year too.

Are there regional leagues belows this one then?

There's been a "split" this year in Italy. I think this explains why every team says established 2010. There's some sort of rival comp.

There are two factions seeking to gain control of RL in Italy. It didn't take them long for a split to occur. Less than half a dozen games I think before the rift happened.

"there are signs of definitive progress within the sport in Italy."

Article is talking about the wrong Federation than!

FIRL in 2010 - finished with 3 teams, no TV coverage, dozens of hidden problems

iRFLeague formed/split in June - already 4, National & local TV coverage, numerous sponsors per team, a lot more funding.

International growth using near full Heritage players - is that good domestic growth?
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The new 4 year strategic plan they mention in the article.... I wonder what happened to the 10 year plan made a few years back..
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Promises have been made many many times before... But not been made. took 15 years to get a competition going.
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iRFLeague is preparing and planning >>> development / coaching, skills, events and domestic initiatives for 2011 - can't wait!!! Promotion will be large, have the headlines in my mind already!

MY MOTTO is REAL DEVELOPMENT, MANAGEMENT and PROFESSIONALISATION FOR ITALIA RUGBY LEAGUE! REAL ACTION is finally here!


Majority of funding to fly over internationals was by Sydney-siders - still relying on Australian-Italians.

As for the positive press - was complete opposite mid-this year.

Guess which side Joel works for

New + current clubs/teams and their players for iRFL, won't be just thrown into a new sport, with very little development, only 1 clinic and a 5 min introduction to the game like in 2010's League (pre-split). Planning is being made toward this with various initiatives!

Thr best thing for Italian rugby league is for the fighting and problems to be put to one side and for everyone to pull in the same direction. If that doesn't happen then I'm sorry, but I think Italian rugby league will once again die on its .

This was a reform proposal - rejected www.irfleague.it/index.php?optio ... 3&catid=73 iRFLeague have nothing to lose in growing the game in Italy, not pretend ................. In summary, the Firl for the 2010 season, will have the following program:  12/13/14 February - RUGBY LEAGUE WEEKEND Part 1  12/13/14 March - RUGBY LEAGUE WEEKEND Part 2  April 2010 - SEVEN WOLLONGONG (AUS)  May 2010 - Stage in Southern France - 2 matches against regional committees French - France vs Italy before the match Superleague  June 2010 - ITALIAN LEAGUE qualifications  June 2010 - V ° Memorial Simone Franchini  July 2010 - ITALIAN LEAGUE Finals  July 2010 - State Of Origin  October 2010 - Columbus Cup (Italy home match and USA tour)  October 2010 - Student European Cup  October / November - European Cup 2010 Around 2 of the above happened, if you include their 'domestic comp' with 30 people at the final. That doesn't include plans in; juniors, Madagascar/Morocco friendly, Med Cup proposal, Euro Shield, etc.. Although Wales/Lebanon matches offset some of those. What happens in 2011 onward, everyone will find out. But in regard to iRFL, confidence is there.

This was a reform proposal - rejected www.irfleague.it/index.php?optio ... 3&catid=73 iRFLeague have nothing to lose in growing the game in Italy, not pretend ................. In summary, the Firl for the 2010 season, will have the following program:  12/13/14 February - RUGBY LEAGUE WEEKEND Part 1  12/13/14 March - RUGBY LEAGUE WEEKEND Part 2  April 2010 - SEVEN WOLLONGONG (AUS)  May 2010 - Stage in Southern France - 2 matches against regional committees French - France vs Italy before the match Superleague  June 2010 - ITALIAN LEAGUE qualifications  June 2010 - V ° Memorial Simone Franchini  July 2010 - ITALIAN LEAGUE Finals  July 2010 - State Of Origin  October 2010 - Columbus Cup (Italy home match and USA tour)  October 2010 - Student European Cup  October / November - European Cup 2010 Around 2 of the above happened, if you include their 'domestic comp' with 30 people at the final. That doesn't include plans in; juniors, Madagascar/Morocco friendly, Med Cup proposal, Euro Shield, etc.. Although Wales/Lebanon matches offset some of those. What happens in 2011 onward, everyone will find out. But in regard to iRFL, confidence is there.

I really hope it works out and that Italian rugby league can have an undisrupted, productive year.
I'd love to see the national team include more domestic based players too.

ps I know that Catalonia are always looking for fixtures, something the iRFL could look into.

Well both sides are focusing on own work - a boost perhaps.
Well will see what happens, iRFL can solve that common national team issue. < In the works.

Thanks for the tip, appreciated! I'll look into it / pass it on. If you talk to the right people, interest is always there, have learnt.
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Unrelated info:
2010 is technically the 60th anniversary of the first Rugby League by Italians, which has somewhat gone unnoted although being "in hibernation" for 40 years would be the reason... (touring side to UK in 1950, plus domestic teams).

1951 was the year of the first official Italian National Side... Played France in 1951

The guy from the iRFL who was interviewed in RLW a couple of issues back sounded as if there might be some common ground that might lead to a reconciliation.