Following their electoral assembly meeting, the Serbian Rugby League Federation has confirmed a new four year term for its president, Predrag Pantic.
The re-endorsement comes on the back of an historic 2015 when the national side won European Championship B, made the final stages of the World Cup Qualifiers – Europe and reached a highest-ever eleventh place in the World Rankings.
Pantic was elected unanimously and will be backed by a new SRLF Board comprising of Radoslav Novakovic, Blagoje Stojiljkovic, Mladen Djuric and Jovan Vujosevic; the governing body also naming Slobodan Manak as general secretary, while the Supervisory Board will be run by David Bakic, Aleksandar Milosevic and Dejan Škarić.
The assembly also approved a plan for the new season which will see them face Wales and Italy for a place in the 2017 World Cup and tour Australia in preparation. To that end, they have appointed current Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and renowned, experienced Australian coach Brian Smith as a consultant.
“Brian has been on an official visit to Belgrade,” said Pantic. “While in the country, he attended a training session of the Serbian national team on New Year’s Day, who are in the process of preparing for a tour of Australia (28th January to 8th February 2016). He also visited our offices in the capital.
“We have agreed that he will take on an advisory role during preparations for the qualifiers and for the campaign itself in October 2016.”
Smith was in Belgrade from 31st December 2015 to 2nd January 2016 with support of companies, Air Serbia, Harrison doo and KCTT.
