The Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia held a reception on 02/02/2016, in honor of the Serbian Rugby League Team, sponsorеd by Air Serbia.

The second gathering at the Consulate General, under the familiar slogan „Serbs in Australia – let’s stand together for the Rugby League World Cup in 2017!“, as well as the anticipated two week visit of the Serbian Rugby players in Australia, caused great interest among the diaspora and media. Rugby players were greated with the presence of His Grace The Right Reverend Irinej, Bishop of the Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand, as well as Dane Kondic, General Manager of Air Serbia who has travelled from Serbia especially for this occasion. Many distinguished members of the Serbian community, clubs and associations, media representatives, members of the Australian Rugby Union, representatives of “Etihad” and other businesses, accepted the invitation of Air Serbia and the Consulate General. Our players were joined by Australian-based Serbian Rugby players, as well some “legends’ of this sport of Serbia origin, such as Lou Zivanovic and Dragan Djurdjevic.

The Consul General Mr. Branko Radosevic, thanked the guests for their attendance, emphasizing the significance, contribution and effort invested in this project, first of all by Blagoje Stoiljkovic, representing the Serbian rugby players, as well as members of Serbian community, so that the Serbian team receives the best possible support to show their sporting skills and talent at the upcoming World Cup. He especially thanked the General Manager of “Air Serbia” Dane Kondic, for their contribution and promotion of this project.

Stevan Sipka, representing “Air Serbia” in Australia, showcased the services of the airline with a video presentation, noting that in 2015 “Air Serbia” broke all records, thanks to the hard work of the team, which enabled the opening of a direct line from Belgrade to New York, starting in June 2016.

Blagoje Stoiljkovic, thanked everyone for their hospitality and support, particularly “Air Serbia’ and Australian hosts, as well as the Consulate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Serbian community, numerous sponsors and volunteers, and introduced the members of the Serbian team. He provided interesting historical information about Rugby League in Serbia, emphasizing that no other European Rugby League selection (except UK) had come to Australia in the past 30 years or so. All the other teams such as Italy, Greece and Portugal were completely made up of Australian players.

On this occasion the sponsor’s rewards were issued and the new Serbian Team jersey was revealed, which met the approval of all present.

Serbian Rugby players two week visit in Australia received a great deal of interest from the Diaspora. Organizational and financial support was promised during every contact, because the quality of players of Serbian origin, huge support of their families and friends and all those who have Serbia in their hearts, represent one huge positive energy and great motivation for the Serbian team to quality in the upcoming Rugby League World cup in 2017 in Australia.

The media closely followed the events leading up to the arrival of the Serbian team, including preparation for the trip, accommodation, reception organized in their honor by the Consulate General of Serbia in Sydney. Media reports by the local Serbian press (“Vesti” and “Srpski Glas”) were taken up by the media in Serbia („Kurir“ http://www.kurir.rs/sport/ostali-sportovi/prijem-za-ragbiste-konzulat-u-sidneju-ugostio-reprezentaciju-srbije-clanak-2120115 „B92“).

The following links show news reports and interviews from this function, reported by Radio SBS, broadcast in the Serbian language:

http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/serbian/sr/content/prijem-za-ragbi-liga-reprezentaciju-srbije?language=sr

www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/serbian/sr/article/2016/02/05/ponosan-sam-shto-predstavljam-istu-zemlju-kao-novak-djokovitsh?language=sr

http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/serbian/sr/content/srpski-tim-je-pun-strasti-i-entuzijazma?language=sr

The following link is the video recording of the reception for the Rugby players:

http://youtu.be/hHVXgge1Vys