Great news - the game has been recognised by the interior ministry over there and is now official!

Friday 07 July 2006 CZECH REPUBLIC
The Czech Republic will get its first taste of Rugby League tomorrow (7th July) when the Great Britain Student Rugby League Chairman?s XIII ? commonly known as the Pioneers ? jet in for an intensive ten day session of coaching and matches against the fledgling nation.

Their trip will be two-centred, beginning in Prague with a programme for Bohemia and concluding in the north-eastern city of Olomouc with a similar schedule for Moravia.

The Students party, which is made up of equal representation from the four home nations, also includes RFL Coach Educator Martin Flynn who will help both hosts and tourists to gain an accredited coaching qualification.

David Oxley, former Chief Executive of the RFL and long time Chairman of the SRL commented, ?We are immensely proud of the Pioneers concept and students are integral to the objectives of the tour. This is an opportunity to aid enthusiasts abroad, often in difficult situations, to help establish and grow the great game of rugby league. The players selected have special attributes. Not only are they good rugby league players but they are individuals with enthusiasm, integrity and a willingness to learn and help others to learn. Many of them are the ?doers?, the organisers of their university teams. We know they will be true ambassadors for the sport, their college and their families.?

Time has also been allocated during the visit for a joint session with players from Austrian and Germany in Bad Reichenhall, which hosted the recent Rugby League European Federation Tri-Nations Development international between the two nations.

A squad of players born and raised in the Czech Republic, with considerable rugby union experience, have been in training since the end of last winter and the new Czech Association of Rugby League (CZARL) has been officially recognized by the Czech Interior Ministry.

With the experience gained from the Pioneers? visit, a Czech Republic Development XIII will then travel to Rotterdam to play an international against the Netherlands "Tasman" XIII on August 4th.

The Czech Republic?s first full international will take place on August 12th in Prague, against Serbia.

Replicas of the Czech team?s new official jersey, featuring the country?s traditional red, white and blue colours, are now available on-line from Forty Twenty www.forty-twenty.co.uk