The Regional League: A Growing Success Story Against the Odds

Next month, the Regional League will mark its second anniversary, and despite its relatively short existence, it has already proven to be a resounding success. Initially established as a response to Tel Aviv Heat’s exclusion from a South African tournament due to BDS pressures, the league has become a competitive and sought-after platform, attracting many players eager to take on the challenge.

The upcoming season will feature four teams: two from Israel—The Golden Jackals and The Northern Stars, AI MATAI from Fiji, and the newest addition from Romania, CSA Steaua București. What started as a defiant stand against sporting boycotts has transformed into an exciting international rugby competition.

In 2023, Tel Aviv Heat, Israel’s only professional rugby team, was set to compete in the prestigious Mzansi Challenge in South Africa. However, just two weeks before the tournament, the team’s participation was suddenly revoked following pressure from the BDS movement. Reflecting on the incident, Adi Raz, Chairman of Tel Aviv Heat, recalls: “It frustrated enough good people who said, ‘If they won’t let us compete, we’ll create our own tournament.’ That’s how the Regional League was born—with the support of individuals who recognized that we must rely on ourselves.”

Despite the tense security situation in Israel—with war on multiple fronts and missile threats from the east—the league pressed forward. In fact, last season, RC Armazi Tbilisi from Georgia became the first foreign sports team to play in Israel since October 7, thanks to the strong ties between the rugby unions of both nations.

“The first season wasn’t easy,” recalls Amir Beutler, manager of the Northern Stars, which includes players from Yizreel, Haifa, and the Menashe Mammoths. “But we managed to build a strong team and even won the championship, securing victory in the final match against the Golden Jackals. It was a great experience for the players and an opportunity to compete at a higher level. We hope last season inspired players to train harder and elevate their game.”

Omer Halfi, head coach of the Golden Jackals (comprising players from Ashkelon, Tel Aviv, Ra’anana, and Hadarim), echoes this sentiment: “This league offers many players the chance to train and compete at a higher level, especially in a season affected by war. The goal is to develop players while enjoying the game. The squad is eager for the challenge, and I know there’s strong interest in taking part.”

The Fijians have been a major presence in Israeli rugby since the 1990s, integrating into local teams while serving in UN peacekeeping missions in the region. Their coach, Napolioni Naulia, is also head coach of Israel’s national sevens team, bringing a wealth of rugby culture to the competition. This season, the addition of a Romanian team adds another layer of competitiveness to the league.

The league’s success, despite ongoing security threats, is largely credited to Kevin Musikanth, who has been instrumental in its operations. Musikanth reinforces the value of the competition: “This is a higher level of rugby and a great opportunity for local players to test their skills in a semi-professional setting. The league provides a full competitive season and exposure to international-level competition.”

The upcoming season will see intense matchups, with games set to take place in Jezreel, Tel Aviv, and Wingate. The full fixture list is as follows:

Musikanth notes that interest among players is at an all-time high, particularly for those with aspirations to play for the Israeli national team or gain experience against international opposition. “This league is an opportunity for players to prove themselves, play against strong teams, and raise their game. The hunger is there, and we’re ready for another exciting season,” he concludes.