With soccer embedded in the national culture and DNA of Greek people, just like AFL is in Melbourne, a sport like rugby struggles to make new grounds.

Rugby was brought to Greece by expatriates, with the first club Spartans R.F.C born in the early 80’s, planting the seed for other clubs to be founded soon after.

Since the Hellenic Rugby Federation came to light in 2004, with more than 20 clubs formed, and since the first international game was played nine years ago, rugby in Greece is still fairly new.

With the lack of funding, due to the crisis, the sport lacks professionalism. However, with more Greek rugby players going abroad and building their international careers, the Greek national rugby team is more likely to get on its professional outlook, with players bringing back and sharing their experience.

For Nick Penna, rugby player of the Box Hill Broncos in Melbourne, and of the Greek National Rugby Union Team, playing for Greece is like paying back what Greece gave him.

Without salary, and funding his every trip to Greece to meet the national team obligations, it is love – for both rugby and Greece – that keeps this 26-year-old Australian going.

In May last year, the Greek National Rugby Union team appointed Greek-South African Nicolaos Petropoulos for his second term as a head coach, after Irish national Niall Doherty.

After becoming the newest addition to the International Rugby Board (IRB) in November last year, with an IRB Full Member status on probationary basis, Greek team with Petropoulos on the helm is trying to create a more professional outlook of the team despite the financial burden.

“We have no help from the government, but we do get sponsors from companies, small amounts that help out. I can talk how difficult things are here in Greece, that we have no money, no pitches, nothing – but the simple fact is we have to start from somewhere,” head coach Nicolas Petropoulos tells Neos Kosmos.

Due to the economic crisis in Greece, only seven clubs have enough funding to take part in the national championship.
In terms of his own involvement, Nick Penna keeps his passion and enthusiasm. Starting from 30 March, he will be involved with the national team for three upcoming games – against Finland (30 March), Norway (13 April) and Luxemburg (20 April).

This time, he will travel to Greece thanks to Jacqui Preketes from Touchdown Tours, who is helping this enthusiastic national rugby player with the airfares.

With numerous Greeks playing abroad, the union is trying to introduce professional mentality to rugby in Greece, as well as to create more demand among fans in the soccer country.

At the moment, a bit of exposure is the only thing that rugby in Greece needs, Penna says.

“There is also a group of people that are planing to organise beach rugby on the Greek islands during the summer. They are inviting teams from Fiji, Tonga, England, which is likely to attract tourists as well as teams from abroad, and to create that rugby culture that people like,” Penna tells Neos Kosmos.

With Nick Penna and few other Greeks of the diaspora contributing to Greece’s national team and raising the interest for this sport in their homeland, the new coach has invited more overseas players to come and play for the national team on a voluntary basis.

“The future of Greek rugby rests in the hands of a few. They work tirelessly for the growth of Greek rugby and through time things will get bigger. If I look back in 2004 and see were we are now, I can see a huge difference. Hellas’ rugby future looks bright.”

“A significant increase of players has appeared in the last four years, with a growth rate of about 28 percent a year. Overseas players are what I am looking for always, players abroad with Greek origin,” head coach Petropoulos says.

Apart from their performance, it’s their integrity and professionalism that keeps players from abroad in the team.
Nick Penna hopes that this year will see the national team gets its promotion into the next division that was just missed last year.

Winning the next three games will get them on top of the table and will set them up.

On a personal level, a contract in Europe is what Penna is looking for.

“I want to bring my rugby to the fullest, as rugby players’ careers don’t go for that long. It’s basically just trying to leave a mark behind for other people to pick up, especially with the Greek team. That’s the main thing,” concludes Nick.
Any rugby players trying to get in contact with the Hellas Rugby Federation, are welcome to contact them on hellasrugby@hotmail.com, or contact coach Nicolas Petropoulos directly, on nic00rugby@gmail.com.