Rugby League’s success as a growing international sport has been recognised by the Commonwealth Games Federation at their meeting in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.
The Federation has given its unanimous support to an application for Rugby League to become a Category Three sport, an important step which will enable the sport to continue to expand and develop across the globe.
The application was presented to the Sports Review Committee of the Commonwealth Games Federation by a delegation from the Rugby League International Federation led by David Gent, Chairman of the RLIF’s Commonwealth Commission.
“This is an exciting day for Rugby League and I would like to place on record my thanks to the Commonwealth Games Federation for their support of our application,” said Gent.
“Rugby League has a long tradition of being played in Commonwealth countries and so this recognition by the CGF will ensure that the game continues to prosper in regions such as Europe and Oceania.
“Recognition by the Commonwealth Games Federation will also enable Commonwealth countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Caribbean to develop the game and help the RLIF strengthen competition at a Commonwealth and world level.”
Rugby League’s successful inclusion followed an eight-month application process steered by the RLIF’s Commonwealth Commission, representing all six regions of the Commonwealth Games.
Richard Lewis, the Deputy Chairman of the RLIF and Chairman of the RFL, said recognition by the Commonwealth Games Federation has deep significance for Rugby League.
The officers of the Commonwealth Commission, which will now draft a Commonwealth development strategy, comprises Eric Perez (Canada Rugby League and Americas), Sue Morris (Jamaican Rugby League Association and Caribbean), Anthony Micallef (Malta Rugby League and Europe), Louis Fourie (South Africa Rugby League and Africa), Asia (no representative) and Colin Love (Australian Rugby League and Oceania); Richard Lewis (RLIF), Nadene Conlon (New Zealand Rugby League and ‘athlete representative’) and Danny Kazandjian (co-ordinator).