Rugby league was formally introduced into Germany in August 2004 with the formation of Rugby League Deutschland. Prior to that it had been played informally by players from English-speaking associations such as British servicemen and students.

The first ever game didn't take place until nearly 12 months later when on the 23rd July the Heidelberg Sharks beat München RLFC 72-64 in a 9-a-side game played in Heidelberg. Since then clubs such as Bad Reichenhall and Innsbruck have also played matches.

In addition to this rugby league is being played at schoolboy level in eight schools in the Heidelberg and Heilbronn area of Germany.

Teams and Competitions

In 2008 the first North / South Domestic season will take place. These will be built around the four established teams that have been playing since 2006;

München RLFC
Heidelberg Sharks
Bad Reichenhall.
Frankfurt

There are players from across Germany that through the new format will have the opportunity to experience rugby league in Germany.

The Germans defeat of Austria 34-32 in Bad Reichenhall on 25 June 2006, has done nothing but generate an interest within Germany for the game of rugby league, couple this with the victory over Estonia (24-38pts) in Tallinn and it is hoped rugby league in Germany will continue to grow both domestically and internationally in 2007 and beyond.
International Results:

25.06.06 GERMANY 34-32 Austria (Bad Reichenhall, Germany)
22.07.06 Estonia 24-38 GERMANY (Tallinn, Estonia)

In addition to this Germany will compete in the RLEF European shield this summer with fixtures against Serbia (Heidelberg, Germany, 7th July) and Czech Republic (Prague, Czech Republic, 4th August).

They will also be entering a team in this year's London MX9s tournament, which will feature national teams from France, Serbia, Russia, Scotland, Ireland and Wales as well as representative sides from the European Federation, British Armed Forces, Great Britain Students, London and holders BARLA.