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=History= Rugby league was formally introduced into Germany in August 2004 with the formation of Rugby League Deutschland by Simon Cooper who was born in Halifax, England who´s father is German. 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 http://www.rfcbadreichenhall.de/ and Innsbruck have also played matches.
In 2005 there was the first match between a Germany XIII and a touring Scottish Students side. This was a catalyst for Germany enetering in 2006 in their first full international tournament the Central Europe Development Tri-Nations and then subsequently in the RLEF European Shield in 2007 and 2008.
In addition to the first class rugby league the game is also being played at the school boy level in a couple of schools in the Heidelberg and Heilbronn area of Germany.
=Popularity= The popularity of rugby league in Germany is rising, although rugby of any form is still very much unknown by Germans. Over 80 adult players and over 200 children were introduced to the game in 2008, with these numbers sure to rise over the 2009 season.
The Germans' participation in several tournaments against Eastern Europe opposition has generated an interest within Germany for the game of rugby league. There are also a lot of rugby league players with German descent in the NRL and Queensland Cup.
=Domestic rugby league= In 2008 the first domestic season will take place. These will be built around three established teams that have been playing. This competition format will allow new players from across central Germany to have an opportunity to play and experience rugby league in Germany.
Heidelberg Sharks are a rugby league club in the town of Heidelberg in Germany. They were founded in 2005 and are consequently one of the more established teams in Germany. They will be playing in the first German domestic league competition in 2008. Many of Germany's national team players also play for the Sharks.
Franconian Pigs are a rugby league team from Nuremberg, Germany. They were founded in 2007 and will be playing their first season of rugby league in 2008.
Rohrbach Hornets are a rugby league team from Heidelberg, Germany. They were founded in 2007 and will be playing their first season of rugby league in 2008.
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Bad Reichenhall Rugby League Football Club are a rugby league club from Bad Reichenhall, Germany. They have played a few games against German opposition and have also hosted matches concerning the German national team. They are expected to join a new German domestic league in 2008. The club's colours are dominantly red with black. Currently the club has been focusing on youth development and getting rugby league played in the local schools.
In their first friendly match they beat RC Innsbrook of Austria, 45-27.