The newly-formed Greek Rugby League Association technical department has run the first part of a successful level 1 coaching course in Athens. It was attended by 15 candidates from Larissa, Crete, Athens, Thessaloniki, Patra and Rhodes, illustrating the growing geographical interest in the sport in the country.

 GRLA level 1 coach educator candidate Nikos Hatzinikolaou, who led the course, furthered his personal development and will now be assessed by RLEF coaching manager Martin Crick to complete his educator qualification.

 The course was overseen by Michalis Chatziioannou. “Niko was very well organized and confident which made the course very interesting,” he said. “There were some very experienced participants which helped the class discussion and led to some very interesting debates. The newer candidates grew in confidence, it was very promising and is going to be very successful in terms of active coaches.”

 The candidates will receive more intensive training in June, at a camp with Leeds Rhinos, and will now be added to the RLEF technical portal and managed through their assessed tasks.