London: Having shown its fight and grit on the battlefield, Ukraine is now turning its attention to the sports field. And it has called on Australia for reinforcements.

Several Australian footballers of Ukrainian heritage will for the first time team up with Ukraine-based players, including serving soldiers, for the nation’s team at next month’s European qualifiers for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

The first Ukrainian league club, Legion XIII, was formed by students in 2007 and played in the Russian championship, before a four-team Ukrainian championship was founded in 2009. The next year, that number increased to six clubs.

Before Moscow’s invasion in February 2022, there were 10 clubs, 29 teams and 500 players, including seniors and juniors, playing rugby league across the country.

More than 60 players – including some in the national team – are thought to have contributed to the war effort, either as a member of the army or Territorial Defence Force. Despite this, the team – courtesy of several overseas players of Ukrainian heritage – jumped from 28th to 20th in the IRL World rankings last year having defeated Greece twice in Athens.

Coached by Brit Dan Beardshaw and managed by Australian Matt Girvan, the team’s six Australian members were selected after an extensive trial process, including a series of matches against other heritage teams.

“When the war started, as a longtime rugby league volunteer married to a Ukrainian, I thought to myself: ‘What can I do to contribute to standing with Ukraine?’ That’s when we started identifying players with Ukrainian heritage and organising the heritage team together with the Ukrainian Rugby League Federation,” Girvan said.

“We were amazed by the turnout, enthusiasm and commitment. Over 40 players from NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia have participated, and we’ve ultimately landed on six from Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney and Newcastle to go to Europe and team up with the Ukrainian-based players,” Girvan said.