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Greece Withdraws From World Sevens Qualifiers |
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Greece has pulled out of next month's World Sevens qualifiers in order to concentrate on their tour to New Caledonia in early March.
Greece was all set to feature in the qualifying tournament but will instead field a team in the Wollongong Sevens on February 21-22.
"We would love to play in the World Sevens but we need to put all our resources on our tour to New Caledonia and our tournament in Greece in 2005. Our aim is to get the game played in Greece and that is what we are focussing on" said Greek Rugby League founder Colin Mylonas.
Greece will tour New Caledonia in the first week of March and will take on the national side in Noumea in a one-off international.
The Greeks will be conducting coaching clinics on the island to help give the locals a better grasp on the game.
"New Caledonia came over to play us last August and they're doing all they can to attract international sides over to play them. We are going over there to help promote international Rugby League and also get our players prepared for when we tour Greece in 2005" said Mylonas.
Greece has also been looking to playing the U.S.A early in the new year but that has been scrapped. The Greeks are likely to play the Cooks Islands in an international in Sydney prior to leaving for New Caledonia
Greek RL Media Manager Terry Liberopoulos has returned from a visit to Greece where he held talks with prominent officials in Athens.
"There is plenty of hard work to do to set up the tournament in 2005 but Athens is the place we have decided to stage it. There are already some initial hiccups but we have some good contacts in Greece that are helping us" said Liberopoulos.
The tournament has been pencilled in for October 2005 with four nations expected to do battle. Russia, France and USA have been invited to attend the tournament but there are other alternatives should any of them fail to make the trip. They include Scotland, BARLA, Lebanon, Serbia, Italy, Morocco, Holland and Ireland.
Finance could well mean that Greece only plays one country in an international.
"All the initial work has started but there is long way to go. Our immediate aim is to get NRL matches shown on Greek Television to give locals an idea of what Rugby League is" said Liberopoulos.
With no Rugby Union being played in Greece the Greek RL will be turning to Australia, British and South African Greeks to get involved in Rugby League.
We want to stage a domestic competition and these are the players that we will be targeting to begin with" said Leberopoulos.
There is also the possibility of a local based Greek side playing a game of Rugby League against Romania.
I spoke to many Greek Romanians that have heard about Rugby League and would love to have the opportunity. There are also a few players that would travel from Romania to play" said Liberopoulos.
The Greek RL are fully aware of what is required to make this a success.
"People would be amazed at how much effort, time and money has gone into this. It will take time but we're committed. We need to careful plan out future" said Mylonas.
Article from RUGBY LEAGUE REVIEW
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