Las Vegas, NV – An 18-year-old rugby talent from Atlanta, Eleni Zis, is set to represent Greece in an upcoming historic rugby league showdown against the USA. The highly anticipated match will take place on Friday night (US Pacific Time) at Silverbowl Park, as part of a double-header featuring both the men’s and women’s teams. The men’s standalone Test match is scheduled for Wednesday. Rugby enthusiasts can watch the live action on NRL.com.
A Passion Ignited by Family
Zis’s journey into rugby began at an early age, inspired by her American-born mother, Joanne, who played rugby union in college. A childhood gift—an oval-shaped rugby ball—sparked a lifelong passion.
“In Greece, [women’s] rugby league is still quite new, so I didn’t grow up with it,” Zis shared. “My mom and her college friend would share stories about playing rugby union, which sparked something in me. I got my first rugby ball when I was young, and it’s been with me ever since.”
Currently playing rugby union with the Atlanta Valkyries, Zis has also been training with the Atlanta Rhinos, an experience that has connected her with members of the USA Hawks men’s and women’s teams.
From the US to Greece: A Dream Takes Shape
After moving to the US, Zis began playing with a co-ed team before transitioning to an all-female squad. Yet, her dream of representing Greece on an international level remained strong.
“During a trip to Greece last summer, I saw some league games and thought, ‘I want to be on that field,’” she recalled.
Determined to make that dream a reality, she reached out to the Greek Rugby League Federation. Her training with the Atlanta Rhinos played a key role in preparing her for the international stage.
The Future of Rugby League in the US
While rugby is growing in popularity in the US, rugby union currently dominates. Zis hopes to see rugby league gain a stronger foothold in American high schools and universities.
“I’ve been doing my best to train for the league with my resources here,” Zis said. “Rugby isn’t huge in the US; when it is, it’s mostly union. I’d love to start a college club to give rugby league more exposure and maybe even see it become an NCAA sport.”
With women’s rugby league gaining more recognition globally, Zis believes the upcoming match in Las Vegas will showcase the sport’s physicality and appeal to American audiences.
“They’ll be blown away,” she said. “Many women here are drawn to the physicality of American football, but rugby league offers that same aggression with a more accessible style of play. Once they see it, I think they’ll fall in love.”
Representing Greece on the International Stage
Zis is the only US-based player on the Greek team and has yet to meet her teammates in person. However, she has received unwavering support from her family in Greece and friends back home in Atlanta.
“When I got the email from Coach Terry inviting me to join the team, I screamed so loud the whole neighborhood probably heard,” she said. “It’s been my dream since I discovered rugby. My family in Greece is over the moon—the whole village knows and will be tuning in.”
Excited for the challenge ahead, Zis is eager to test her skills against a strong US team and continue developing her rugby league career.
“I’ve been training with the Atlanta Rhinos, and there are a few players from the USA teams, so it’s going to be an incredible matchup,” she said. “I’m excited to learn more about the game and, hopefully, keep representing Greece.”
Greek Rugby League Squad for Las Vegas Showdown
- Angelina Ballas (North Sydney)
- Marilena Girlemi (Aris Eagles)
- Sam Glumac (Mounties)
- Stephanie Glumac (Mounties)
- Sofia Kitsaneli (Aris Eagles)
- Georgina Kalomenopoulou (Aris Eagles)
- Klaudia Koule (Athens Raiders)
- Rania Koutsikou (Cardiff Demons)
- Asimina Mastoraki (Aris Eagles)
- Nicola Munday (Brisbane Norths Rugby Union)
- Lisa Paloukis (West Belconnen)
- Ella Panagiotopoulos (Belconnen Sharks)
- Hayley Papa (Toukley)
- Effie Skouroliakou (Aris Eagles)
- Sotiria Skouroliakou (Aris Eagles)
- Maggie Stavrianou (Athens Raiders)
- Lavinia Taukamo (Redfern All Blacks)
- Meleanna Waters (Mascot)
- Eleni Zis (Atlanta Rhinos)
As the sport continues to grow in Greece and beyond, Zis’s journey serves as an inspiration for young athletes looking to break new ground in rugby league.
For more updates on Eleni Zis and the latest rugby league news, visit News Xpress Online.
