Youth Flag Rugby Launched in Ivano-Frankivsk

Following the successful model of five-a-side non-contact flag rugby competitions in Odessa schools that has been going for a few years now, a similar programme was recently launched in the western Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankivsk.
The Ukrainian Rugby Federation leaders have stated on a number of occasions that youth rugby is a high priority for them. Lowering the age of entry into the sport and growing public awareness of rugby will help build a foundation for a successful national team. Non-contact Rugby-5 competitions have been successful in introducing schoolchildren in Odessa to rugby, and the long-term goal is to launch youth rugby in all the regional centers of Ukraine.

Thanks to the support from Ivano-Frankivsk city authorities and the generosity of sponsors, this dream is becoming a reality. More than 100 children aged 10-12 participated in the first "Saint Nicholas Cup" in December. The team representing School No. 19 beat School No. 2 in the final to become the first ever champions of Ivano-Frankivsk flag rugby league. The organizers plan to host another tournament shortly after New Year.

Source:  http://if.rugby5.com.ua/

Ukraine U-20 loses to Lithuania in overtime

The final matches of the European U-20 rugby championship were played on 18 November. Having lost to Moldova in the semifinal, Ukraine faced Lithuania for third place. The first half ended with minimal advantage to the Lithuanians, 3-0, after flyhalf Mantautas Vilimavicius kicked a penalty. In the second half, Ukraine's Ruslan Bezuglyi evened out the score. After more grinding forward play for most of the match, the Lithuanians finally scored a converted try in the 72nd minute. But Ukraine quickly responded with a try of its own by Vitalii Krasnodemskyi, converted by Bezuglyi. The game went into overtime, and Lithuanians broke through the Ukrainian defense in the 92nd minute for an unconverted try. Ukraine was unable to stage a comeback unfortunately. Final score 10-15 to Lithuania. In the first-place match, Poland destroyed Moldova 68-5.

Source: Ukrainian Rugby Federation
Photo by FIRA-AER

Oleg Kosarev - top scorer in Ukrainian rugby in 2011

Playing on the wing for the Kharkiv-based Olimp rugby club, Oleg Kosarev became the leading scorer of Ukraine's Top League in 2011. The 23-year-old Kosarev had accumulated 194 points in 8 matches, including 17 tries, 53 conversions and 1 penalty kick. His closest rival is Mykola Deliyergiyev from Odessa's Kredo-63 club, but he trails by more than 100 points after the same number of matches played - Deliyergiyev had 78 points from 4 tries, 26 conversions and 2 penalty kicks. In third place is Olimp's captain Serhiy Tserkovny. Kharkiv's flyhalf scored 65 points from 7 tries, 12 conversions and 2 drop-goals.


Source: iSport.ua

Ukraine U-20 to play Lithuania for 3rd place in European Championship

Having lost to Moldova 3-11 in the semifinal, Ukraine will face Lithuania for third place in the Under-20 European rugby competition. Lithuania was beaten by Poland 48-3. The tournament is being held in Warsaw, with the third place and final matches to be played 18 November.

Source: Ukrainian Rugby Federation