Rugby union in Slovenia

Rugby union in Slovenia is a minor but growing sport. they are currently ranked 71st by the World Rugby governing body.

Governing body
The governing body is Rugby Zveza Slovenije (Rugby Union of Slovenia).

Yugoslav period
Rugby union was a moderately popular sport in Yugoslavia. Although rugby union in Croatia was the main centre for the sport in Yugoslavia, there was still quite a bit of rugby played in Slovenia. The Rugby Championship of Yugoslavia ran from 1957-1991.

Post independence
The breakup of Yugoslavia broke up many of the Slovenian rugby structures, which had to be started afresh.

In the early 1990s, former Italian cap, Dr Giancarlo Tizanini was a major driving force in Austrian rugby. Before his death in 1994, he tried hard to establish a Central European equivalent of the Six Nations between Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia.

Slovenia also borders Italy, which is a major rugby playing nation. In recent years, however, there have been serious attempts by rugby league to expand into the Balkans, using substantial financial incentives, and expats from Australia.

Clubs
As of 2009, the following clubs were active:


 * RAK Olimpija
 * RFC BEŽIGRAD
 * RFC Doberman
 * RFC Emoona
 * RFC Maribor
 * RFC Ribnica
 * RFC Ris
 * RK Ljubljana
 * RK Sokol Maribor(Maribor Sokol)
 * VRK Hermes (Veterans Rugby Club)