In episode twenty-two of ‘Talking European Rugby League’ Graeme Thompson meets Roman Ovchinnokov. Roman lives in Moscow and started playing Rugby League aged eight for his father's team - Lokomotiv Moscow. Roman describes the secret to the success of Lokomotiv winning 10 Russian Championships, in his time playing for them. He recalls his internatio…

In episode twenty-one of ‘Talking European Rugby League’ Graeme Thompson meets, again, Danny Kazandjian. This second discussion with Danny, focuses on his time as General Manager of the European Rugby League Federation from 2010 to 2018. He gives an insight into the intricacies of putting together an international calendar for both mature and fledg…

It’s episode 20 of Talking European Rugby League and Graeme Thompson meets long-term RLEF Match Official Manager Tom Mather. Here, Tom recounts his own career as an official and his journey towards becoming an officials educator. He highlights how significant it is for match officials, like players, to achieve international debuts. In 2014 Tom foun…

Christophe Jouffret is Graeme Thompson’s guest on episode 19 of ‘Talking European Rugby League’. Christophe has had long involvement with Rugby League and been part of the leadership at the two most important organisations in France: the French Federation and Catalan Dragons. Christophe offers a unique insight gained from working with the RFL to br…

In episode 18 of ‘Talking European Rugby League’, Graeme Thompson meets George Stilanos - a central figure in Greek Rugby League for over a decade. Born and bred in Brisbane, George moved to his ancestral homeland, specifically Athens, in 2008. Here George recalls how he set up new players and domestic clubs, including overseeing the journey of pla…

In episode seventeen of ‘Talking European Rugby League’ Graeme Thompson meets Martin Crick . Martin has led coach education for the last decade for the Rugby League European Federation. He describes his long history with the game and how Danny Kazandjian got him initially involved with RLEF. He recalls several trips and highlights the need to be ad…

In episode sixteen of ‘Talking European Rugby League’ Graeme Thompson meets Dean Hardman. Dean presently works at the RLWC2021 and previously was in the operations dept of the RFL. He has been involved with European events since 2008, since being asked to assist by Kevin Rudd. He talks about the range of roles he has played at matches across variou…

In this latest episode of ‘Talking European Rugby League’ Graeme Thompson meets John Risman, who has coached Rugby League in 20 countries across Europe. John discusses his earliest memory of Rugby League - watching his father play in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley in 1952 - right through to his recent trip to Serbia. He reflects on the influenc…

In episode fourteen Graeme Thompson meets Remond Safi, a central figure in the development of Rugby League in Lebanon, the Middle East and Africa. Remond describes his "surprise" call up to military service in Lebanon, and how it was significant in creating the opportunity to get involved with Danny Kazandjian and others engaged in developing the s…

In episode 13 of ‘Talking European Rugby League’ Graeme Thompson meets Jovan Vujosevic. Jovan has been a central figure in European Rugby League development. The discussions focus on his introduction to the game in Serbia - and he explains why Tina Turner played a significant role in it! He recounts the key figures and steps as rugby league returne…

In episode twelve of ‘Talking European Rugby League’ Graeme Thompson meets Romeo Montieth. Romeo has been an instrumental figure in the development of the game in Jamaica from over 15 years ago. He recounts the instigation to Rugby League in Jamaica in 2004, which has similarities to the 1895 rebellious birth of Rugby League. He acknowledges key ea…

In episode eleven of ‘Talking European Rugby League’ Graeme Thompson meets Gerard Keenan and Keith Sandhu. Gerard and Keith have been key figures in the Great Britain Student Pioneers. The Student Pioneers have been touring in Europe, Asia and Africa for 15 years, seeking to help the development of the sport in countries relatively new to it and pr…

In episode 10 of ‘Talking European Rugby League’ Graeme Thompson meets Ben Araud, who tells the tale about his trip into the unknown as he followed his dream to play Rugby League. Ben later moved into sports management with the RLEF and gives insights into Anglo-French relationships during the first decade of the 21st century. He was at the centre …

In our ninth episode of ‘Talking European Rugby League’ Graeme Thompson meets Tiziano Franchini, a founding figure of the game in Italy whose involvement stretches back more than 20 years. Tiziano describes his Italian team debut in the 1995 World Sevens in Australia, and how he took further opportunities to develop himself as a player and as a per…

It's episode eight of the first series of ‘Talking European Rugby League’ and Graeme Thompson meets Danny Kazandjian. Danny has had, and continues to have, significant roles in the development of the sport, and this podcast focus on his time in Lebanon. Tracing his steps back to 2002, Danny describes how he went there as a volunteer alongside his c…

In episode seven of ‘Talking European Rugby League’ Graeme Thompson meets Steve McCormack, who was Head Coach of Scotland from 2004 to 2017. Steve provides some critical coaching insights on how to prepare international teams, often within challenging timeframes. He reveals what his and the players' mindsets were when they took on the big three of …

In episode six of ‘Talking European Rugby League’ we meet Ian Thompson, the original and central figure in the development of Rugby League in the Netherlands. Originally from Cumbria, Ian recalls how a legendary figure of the sport (somebody who is part of the Rugby League statue at Wembley) initially got him into the game. He charts the ups and do…

In this latest episode of ‘Talking European Rugby League’, your host Graeme Thompson meets Julia Bennison, a pivotal RLEF figure in supporting the development of Rugby League in eastern Europe. Russia-born Julia offers insight into some of the cultural understandings she provided, both to the RLEF and individual nations, to bring about progress for…

In episode four of ‘Talking European Rugby League’ Graeme Thompson meets Tyrone McCarthy, a current Ireland international player who made his debut in 2009. Tyrone talks about his deep and committed Irish roots, primarily through his grandad, and what it meant for him to make his debut for Ireland. He compares scoring his try at Wembley in the Chal…

In episode three of ‘Talking European Rugby League’, Graeme Thompson meets one of the founders of Rugby League in the Czech Republic: Milan Mrtynek. Milan recalls how the 'birth' of the sport came via an ante natal class! He provides an insight into the development of the sport from earlier this century, recalling the national side's first ever gam…

In episode two of Talking European Rugby League Graeme Thompson meets one of the founders of the game in Germany, Simon Cooper, who recalls how the national side came about and the contributions of those such as Anthony Seibold and Jimmy Keinhorst who went on to make names for themselves in the sport, as well as the numerous unsung heroes along the…

The first in a series of fortnightly podcasts from the Rugby League European Federation with host Graeme Thompson. This week Graeme is in conversation with Kevin Rudd, the first ever General Manager of the European Federation.