Federazione Italian Rugby League – Australia
(FIRLA)
ITALIAN HERITAGE & ELIGIBILITY
To play representative rugby league at a junior and/or senior level is a great accomplishment for any rugby league player. For a player to participate against other representative teams and international teams is what a rugby league player dreams about and st
Federazione Italian Rugby League – Australia
(FIRLA)
ITALIAN HERITAGE & ELIGIBILITY
To play representative rugby league at a junior and/or senior level is a great accomplishment for any rugby league player. For a player to participate against other representative teams and international teams is what a rugby league player dreams about and strives to achieve. Federazione Italian Rugby League – Australia (FIRLA) has been established in order to provide junior & senior players born in Australia with Italian heritage opportunities and a pathway to participate in representative and international fixtures and tournaments.
Italian Rugby League History:
Rugby League in Italy was played during the 1950's & 60's and during this period there were over 30 established rugby league clubs located in Italy. Unfortunately and due to unforeseen circumstances and pressure from the rugby union fraternity and limited support from government officials during that period, saw rugby league struggle to continue and its existence ceased. Without no financial support and the threat of no insurance coverage for participants, players were forced to make a choice.
The sporting code of Rugby League is now once again being played in Italy and since 1994 when it was revived by two Italo-Australians living in Sydney, Italy have developed to a level which enabled them to qualify and participate in its first ever Rugby League World Cup, which took place in England during October 2013. Federazione Italiana Rugby League (FIRL) are the official governing body of Rugby League in Italy.
Due to a large immigration of Italians into Australia dating back from the 1920's, has now seen a number of 1st, 2nd,3rd& 4th generation Italo-Australians playing the code of rugby league. Italian is the fifth most identified ancestry in Australia behind Australian, English, Irish and Scottish (sourced: italianlegacy.com).
Italian Heritage Players
Players with Italian background have successfully adopted to rugby league and over the many years have seen a number of players with Italian heritage reach the highest selection level of 1st grade ARL & NRL, Super League, NSW & Queensland Origin, Prime-minister’s XIII and the Australian Kangaroo’s.
Italian heritage players such as: Greg Florimo, Dean Schiffiliti, David Riolo, Niel Piccinelli,
Chris St.Clair, Craig Salvatori, Paul Dezolt, Terry Campese, Darren Capovilla, Jason Bulgarelli, Mark Corvo, Luke Davico, Ben Sorbello, Simon Bonetti, Shannon Donato, David Penna,
Paul Franz'e, Frank Napoli, Anthony & Mark Minichiello, Cameron Ciraldo, Joel Riethmuller, Josh Mantellato, Paul Vaughan, Aidan Guerra, James Tedesco, Brendan Santi and Daniel Alvaro have all represented Italian Rugby League in line with their Italian heritage.
Some of the achievements have been: Anthony Minichiello first representing Italy as a 19 year old in the 1999 World Cup Qualifiers in Europe and later Captaining Italy (FIRL) in 2011 Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers & 2013 Rugby League World Cup; James Tedesco playing for FIRLA in the U/16 Harmony Cup, then being selected in the Italian team (FIRL) that participated in the 2013 and 2017 Rugby League World Cup; Cameron Ciraldo representing Italian rugby League in the 2009 Mediterranean Shield, 2011 Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers & 2013 Rugby League World Cup and now appointed as Head coach of FIRL for the 2016 Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers and 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
Former 1st grade and Italian heritage rugby league players such as Fred Pagano, Leo Epifania, Ciriaco Mescia andTas Baitieri, continue to support the Italian Rugby League and promote its existence and development.
Eligibility:
The current rules of eligibility in International Rugby League allow for a person to represent a country if:
• they are born there;
• either parent or grandparent was born; or
• the player has completed three years of residence in that country up to date of selection.
FIRLA recognises that some players family heritage extends beyond a grandparent and it is in this situation that FIRLA acknowledges and considers opportunities for representation.
If a player can identify with their heritage and does not fall within the current rules of eligibility in International Rugby League, this in itself does not necessarily end any opportunity of player representing Italy (FIRLA) or even FIRL.
Remembering with a domestic rugby league competition being played in Italy once again, a player that falls outside these rules, can still qualify for eligibility if they complete three years of residency, either as studying, working or playing sport in that country.
Therefore, FIRLA will always consider the players heritage and will support and provide every available opportunity for participation in representative rugby league under the FIRLA emblem.
FIRLA now provides junior & senior players with Italian heritage opportunities to play representative rugby league and also a pathway to allow players with potential and ability to progress into established competitions such as National Youth Cup, NSW Cup, Queensland Cup, Super League and NRL. FIRLA have access to elite rugby league coach's such as Cameron Ciraldo, Leo Epifania and Mick Mantelli that provide astute coaching and development of rugby league players.
Players that have either Grand-Parent/s or Parent/s that were born in Italy, have an opportunity to represent FIRLA and also if they comply with International criteria, can be considered for selection to represent the national Italian team via Federazione Italiana Rugby League (FIRL).
Players are encouraged to research what part of Italy that their Grand-Parent/s or Parent/s originate from. It is extremely important to have an understanding where a players heritage originates from in order to appreciate the Italian cultural background and family heritage. Players are encouraged to discuss with their Parent/s or Grand-parent/s in which specific region and town within Italy that the family connection commenced.
Facts such as location and what importance the region and town is best known for, is crucial for a FIRLA representative player to be aware of. FIRLA encourages each of its representative players
and officials to be aware of their family origin and to appreciate the importance of representing FIRLA and what significance it means to represent a family's heritage.
Below are the 20 Regions located in Italy.
(Reference source: Comuni-Italiani.it)
Each player will be required to complete a 'Heritage Player International Registration form' and provide the relevant supporting documentation such as a Grand-parent/s or Parent/s birth certificate. This information is required in order to comply with requirements of the International and European Rugby League Federations and for future reference and verification of eligibility to represent both FIRLA and FIRL as required.
If you have any questions in relation to your eligibility or require more information, please contact us via email or post via details listed on this website (FIRLA.com.au).
By Domenic Pezzano
Amateur International Tournament
Good Friday 16 April 1954 v FRANCE amateurs – Lost 6-20 at Fartown, Huddersfield – 2,950. Ref: Ernie Clay (England).
Easter Monday 19 April 1954 v ENGLAND amateurs – Lost 11-18 at Thrum Hall, Halifax – 2,000. Ref: M Bizot (France).
England: H Brown (Cumberland), G Dougherty (Lancashire), A Co
Amateur International Tournament
Good Friday 16 April 1954 v FRANCE amateurs – Lost 6-20 at Fartown, Huddersfield – 2,950. Ref: Ernie Clay (England).
Easter Monday 19 April 1954 v ENGLAND amateurs – Lost 11-18 at Thrum Hall, Halifax – 2,000. Ref: M Bizot (France).
England: H Brown (Cumberland), G Dougherty (Lancashire), A Colburn (Yorkshire), G Maloney (Lancs ©), D Lindop (Yorks), R Davies (Yorks), J Roper (Cumb), J Logan (Cumb), J Crewdson (Cumb), A Hartley (Lancs), G Lloyd (Lancs), G Sharp (Yorks), J Briggs (Yorks). Res: E Birch (Lancs),
J Brown (Yorks).
Distington’s John ‘Sol’ Roper was just 17 years old, the youngest ever amateur international, making a try-scoring debut against France the week before. Twelve months later, Roper was playing for Workington Town in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. Full-back Henry Brown of Kells never turned professional and emigrated to Canada.
Ten of the XIII in the Amateur International Tournament were from Torino with odd men out being hooker Colli from Milano, and forward Masetti brothers from a French club. Signor F Rama from Italy refereed England v France on the Easter Saturday.
Italy wore white jerseys with red, white and green V so England wore change strip of red against Italy.
In programme, RFL secretary Bill Fallowfield noted: “It will be remembered that when, on 3 January 1954. a ‘United Nations’ team played France at Lyon… the outstanding forward on the field was the Italian Giovanni Vigna”.
Italy squad:
1 G Aleati (Torino)
2 A De Giacomi (Torino)
3 O Tescari (Torino)
4 B Beretta (Torino)
5 G Franco (Torino)
6 G Tamagno (Torino)
7 S Aleati (Torino)
8 G Bonino (Torino)
9 A Colli (Milano)
10 O Masetti (French club???)
11 C Campi (Torino)
12 G Vigna (Torino)
13 A Masetti (French club?)
Also touring;
F Andreoletti, P F Antonioli, A Arrigoni, V Cardini, L Fogliati, P Liguoro, G Frova, F Barzaghi, S Cuscito, A Guerrini, G Orecchia, U Baldassin, V Rassaval.
Seven match Tour of Yorkshire (plus Leigh) in 1954:
7 April 1954 v Bradford Northern – 7,000
10 April 1954 v York – lost 17-54 – 4,000
14 April 1954 v Hunslet – lost 23-40 – 3,300
16 April 1954 v France at Huddersfield - lost 6-20 – 2,950
Just two days after playing three games in a week!
19 April 1954 v England at Halifax – lost 11-18 – 2,000
20 April v Keighley – lost 27-57 – 3,500
Day after international – how many of same players? How big was squad?
21 April v Leigh – lost 7-35 – 5,000
Incredible not to lose by more in third game in three days, sixth in 12! Fighting spirit?
Former Australian international Rex Mossop played for Italy on loan from Leigh.
Played 7 Lost 7 For 109 Against 291.
Contact was made with Dual Australian International Rex Mossop and he responded to Mick Pezzano on 26 August 1993 and described in a hand written letter , his involvement playing against the national Italian team in Padua and Treviso and with an Italian touring team in 1952 (Lacanshire) in front of a crowd f 15,000.
FIRLA are proud to have had a number of Italian heritage players that have commenced their careers representing Italy at International level. Players such as Anthony Minichiello, James Tedesco, Daniel Alvaro, Nathan Brown, Joseph Tramontana, have all worn the famous Azzurri jersey.
Over the years, a number of Italian Heritage players have
FIRLA are proud to have had a number of Italian heritage players that have commenced their careers representing Italy at International level. Players such as Anthony Minichiello, James Tedesco, Daniel Alvaro, Nathan Brown, Joseph Tramontana, have all worn the famous Azzurri jersey.
Over the years, a number of Italian Heritage players have been selected to represent Italy in a number of international tournaments, such as;
World Sevens - Sydney, World Nines - Fiji, World Cup Qualifiers in Italy, Russia, Serbia, France, Emerging Nations World Cup - England, Rugby League World Cups in England and Australia.
When an opportunity presents itself, a player must be willing and ready to take it. A number of Italian heritage players have gone on to play 1st grade in both NRL and Super League competitions. To be given an opportunity to play representative rugby league at a junior level against other rugby league nations is an experience that will be never forgotten.
Enjoy some of the action photographs of our junior and senior heritage players over the years.