The city of Leskovac and local rugby league club Morava Cheetahs hosted the first Serbian Rugby League U18 State of Origin on Sunday 10th July at FK Dubocica Stadium. Selections from Vojvodina (North Serbia), Belgrade and the South Serbia participated in the historic competition. In stifling, 38 degrees heat, the best young players from all over Serbia indicated a bright future for Serbian Rugby League.
Radoslav Novakovic, Serbian Rugby League board member, was delighted with the initiative, calling it a “dream“: “51 players played from seven clubs all over Serbia. This is a major step forward for the junior competition that we plan to play in September and October. What we want to do in the future is to improve basic rugby league technique and game awareness, that is essential for the future development of these young players. I am very happy because our national team coach Marko Jankovic watched all three games and he made observation of what needs to be fixed and improved for the future.“
Vojovodina, drawing players from Podbara RLFC and Radnicki RLFC, were the champions; Belgrade’s selection was drawn from Dorcol RLFC, Stari Grad RLFC and Red Star; South Serbia from Morava Cheetahs and Soko RLFC.
Jovan Vujosevic, RLEF Regional Director for Central Europe: “This is a great day for the Serbian Rugby League Federation. I admire these boys; the Vojvodina team traveled 360 km to come to Leskovac, Belgrade team traveled 280 km, but they didn't give up and they were very happy because they had the opportunity to play against boys who are at same age and the same level. This is just a start, yesterday I watched the U15 match between Smederevo city and Belgrade city in Smederevo, 70 km from Belgrade and I hope that Serbia will have more youth activities in future and would be an example and giving impetus to other nations in Central Europe, because youth development is essential for the future of any sport.“