Rugby League in Victoria

Rugby League In Victoria

Rugby league football has been played and watched by people in the Australian state of Victoria since the early 20th century. While for most of its history there the game's popularity has been marginal due to Australian rules football's dominance in southern state, rugby league's popularity has increased in recent years, due mainly to the introduction of a professional Melbourne-based team in the national competition.

Professional clubs visited Victoria from New South Wales, but it was not until 1998 that the first professional club formed in Victoria, the Melbourne Storm, an expansion club to join the National Rugby League premiership.

The Australian Rugby League reports that over $23 million has been invested by the Melbourne Storm and its partners in promoting and developing rugby league in Victoria since 2005 and the club has visited more than 550 schools across the state. Participation has grown significantly since 2006, with 13 amateur clubs now playing in the state, according to the Victorian Rugby League and more expected for the 2009 competition.