The Catalan league has begun!
great news and here is some action from the opening round

[urlhttp://www.rugbylliga.cat/videos/campionat-universitari-2009[/url

one of my mates, who plays for Girona University, said it was a great opening round and over 150 players were involved!

Is this spanish Catalonians or French too Catalancs?

Seven of the clubs are from 'Spanish' Catalonia. The other team being the University of Perpignan.
Appparently quite a few of the players were said to have seen the light

glad to hear that.



Be nice to think that in 5-10 years we couold see our first Dragon from south of the border

fingers crossed!!
girona university are trying to sort out a uk tour. ive put them in contact with leeds met.

RUGBY XIII

The team from the University of Perpinyà (UP) is the first leader of the University Championship of Rugby League after the first games were played last Tuesday at the University of Girona (UdG) in this new and exciting contest of rugby XIII

In total there were seven teams that fought it out in Girona, bringing together over 150 players. It would have been eight but for the absence of the representatives of the University of Barcelona (UB).

The teams from the universities of Perpinyà, Girona and Ramon Llull, more experienced in rugby XIII, eventually prevailed using this advantage to beat their rivals.

The Catalan Association of Rugby League (ACRL), organiser of the championship talked of "success" and of "a very positive experience" after this landmark day.

The second and decisive day of matches will be held in Barcelona on Thursday 12th March, in the sports complex of the Mar Bella.

and here are the results:

Group1
UdG - UP 4-8
UdC - UPF 8-4
UDG - UPC 16-4
UP - UPF 16-0
UPF - UdG 0-14
UPC - UP 0-12

1st UP, 2nd UdG, 3rd UPC, 4th UPF


Group2
URL - UVic 12-8
UAB - URL 0-26
UVic - UAB 10-14

1st URL, 2nd UAB, 3rd UVic


5th, 6th and 7th place games:
UVic - UPC 12-0
UVic - UPF 18-12
(the results of the matches involving UPC and UPF in the first round didn't count due to the absence of the UB)

3rd-4th place game:

UAB - UdG 4-26


Final:
URL - UP 0-20


Table after first round:
1- 8 pts - Perpignan University (UP)
2- 7 pts - Ramon Llull University (URL)
3- 6 pts - University of Girona (UdG)
4- 5 pts - Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB)
5- 4 pts - Vic University (UVic)
6- 3 pts - Polytechnic University of Barcelona (UPC)
7- 2 pts - Pompeu Fabra University (UPF)
8- 0 pts - Barcelona University (UB)

Also noticed this in the Catalans magazine/ pogramme from the weekend

Lleida pulled out but the number of union players who have 'had their eyes opened' is encouraging.
Italt and Germany are indeed the two teams being lined up for a friendly, with Germany the preferred option according to the Catalonia players I've spoken to.

Germany are more of a development side, Italy will just bring in as many ring-ins as possible should they play

which is why they'd rather play germany. they're not too keen on playing a bunch of aussies who have a liking for pasta.

indeed!

The Universities of Catalonia are flying to Leeds to take on Leeds Trinity on Friday 27th March.
Brownberrie Lane mate, 4pm kick off
After the game the entire squad will be guests at Headingley for the game between Leeds and Catalans.

[urlhttp://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=76307172068[/url

[size=150Catalonia RL Championship, a new domestic league in Europe.[/size

[urlhttp://www.rugbylliga.cat/news/catalonia-rl-championship-a-new-domestic-league-in-europe-95[/url

encouraging.

Quote ="Catalancs"The Catalan league has begun! great news and here is some action from the opening round [urlhttp://www.rugbylliga.cat/videos/campionat-universitari-2009[/url one of my mates, who plays for Girona University, said it was a great opening round and over 150 players were involved!'" This link is for the University championship. The club championship is starting this Sunday: www.rugbylliga.cat/competicio/i- ... nada=grup1 There is no Perpignan team in this championship. I think that in the future, to develop rugby league in Catalonia they should have a Barcelona club in the French Championship whose most of the teams are in the South of France. This would be great and it would make sense geographically.

Quote ="Catalancs"The Catalan league has begun! great news and here is some action from the opening round [urlhttp://www.rugbylliga.cat/videos/campionat-universitari-2009[/url one of my mates, who plays for Girona University, said it was a great opening round and over 150 players were involved!'" This link is for the University championship. The club championship is starting this Sunday: www.rugbylliga.cat/competicio/i- ... nada=grup1 There is no Perpignan team in this championship. I think that in the future, to develop rugby league in Catalonia they should have a Barcelona club in the French Championship whose most of the teams are in the South of France. This would be great and it would make sense geographically.

I think we all agree, with the Dragons' matches in Barca and the interest from the Football club promising. Getting the players and investment for such a team is a question though. I think that the Dragons would be interested in helping out, but they won't have the money for two LER sides - Barca and Spanish Catalan bussiness will be needed.

don't read too much into the dragons making an appearance at the camp nou. the game in june is at the old olympic stadium.

Dunno, tapping into the Spanish Catalan market has been the plan from day one. Not taking part in a Spanish Catalan LER side would be conceding that plan.

Has it?



went to watch the opening round of the catalan championship today.
Girona beat Vic 62-6 but it was surprisingly entertaining given the scoreline. and it was very strange to see competed scrums

todays scores:

CR Tarragona 32 - 22 Valls
RC Garrotxa 14 - 36 CNPN Enginyers
GEIEG 62 - 6 CA Vic

The Catalan Championship made it on to national news!!
here's the footage
[urlhttp://www.rugbylliga.cat/textos/el-campionat-de-catalunya-a-televisio-de-catalunya-12[/url

forgot to mention it was on national radio too. havnt posted the link as it's in catalan.

result from today in Catalan Championship
CA Vic Crancs 20 - 28 RC Garrotxa

I hope that it can lift the crowds.

crowds are family and friends