​
After a ten year fight for recognition as a distinct and separate sport, the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports and their General Secretariat of Sports has formally announced that rugby league has the right to be played in the country.

The Greek Rugby League Federation can now legally play matches, advertise games and are hopeful this will soon also lead to access to better fields, to be able to start youth age teams, plan to begin work in schools, and apply for some government grants and other funding. The news comes as Greece is set to play in men’s World Cup this autumn in England, in a group that will see them take on the hosts at Bramall Lane, Sheffield.

GRLF president, George Stilianos, commented: “This has been a decade long struggle and one that has seemed endless at times. So many people have played an important role in this becoming a reality and never gave up. There are too many to name but they know who they are and we will be forever grateful for their support. This will no doubt leave a great legacy for future generations that will now be free to play the game that they love, without any interference.”

Stilianos added: “This news coincides nicely with our first-ever World Cup appearance in October which is something we can then build on afterwards, both domestically and internationally. We are also excited about legally hosting our first international match in a long time, which will be on September 25 as part of the inaugural Women’s European B championship, when we take on Serbia women in Athens.”

European Rugby League chair, Dean Andrew, OBE, commented: “We are delighted for the Greek Rugby League Federation and congratulate it on their news. It has been a turbulent journey for rugby league in Greece but achieving government recognition as a federation ahead of their participation in the RLWC21 signals a new dawn and provides them with a huge opportunity to progress the sport at all levels. We look forward to continuing to support them.”

​PUBLIC NOTICE! 
Disclaimer

The Rugby League Federation Ghana (RLFG), Nigeria Rugby League Federation (NRLF) and the Kenya Rugby League Federation (KRLF) wish to alert its associates, partners, athletes and fans of a false claim of affiliation between them (RLFG, NRLF, KRLF) and a certain "rugby league roo" from Australia.

The RLFG, NRL, KRLF are the sole promoters and developers of rugby league in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya respectively and as such, we wish to state that we are in no way affiliates of this organization.

We are by this public notice disassociating ourselves as federations, our registered clubs and members from this claims. It is not true, not right and has no basis whatsoever. 

The general public, associates, partners and athletes across the globe are  hereby advised to take particular note this disclaimer and desist from dealing with them if any have.

Signed:
RLFG 
NRLF
KRLF
END

‼️SARLSA does not associate with Rugby League Roo. SARLSA has given the organisation no mandate to act or represent any action on behalf of our organisation.‼️

This Day in South African Rugby League History
28 March 1962
APPOINTMENT OF DAVE BROWN AS RUGBY LEAGUE ‘SOUTH AFRICA COACH’
​
On this day, 58 years ago, the Cape Town newspaper, the Cape Argus announced that Australian rugby legend and later Hall of Famer, David (‘Dave’) Brown was appointed as the “Coach of [Rugby League] South Africa”. This was not the case since his original mandate was the promotion of the code in South Africa. Brown represented Eastern Suburbs (‘Easts’), New South Wales, the Australian Kangaroos and Warrington in the British league during his active playing career. On his retirement in 1941, the Sydney Morning Herald referred to him as “one of the greatest centre three-quarters the rugby league code has known”. Others also referred to him as the “Bradman of League”.
Employed by the New South Wales Rugby League as a schools liaison officer, he was seconded to South Africa to assist with building and consolidating the emerging code. Based on the successes he achieved in preparing players for the actual launch of the formal rugby league competition of Rugby League South Africa, he was asked to coach the first national team. Under his coaching regime the Rugby League Springboks, scored their first international win (4-3) against New Zealand at a muddy Carlaw Park in Auckland before a crowd of 9000 spectators during their tour Down Under in 1963.

By Hendriks Snyders

Jean Pierre (‘JP’) Nel

It is commonly accepted that the future of any nation depends on its youth. It is through them that new ideas are transported, tested and implemented. It is on their backs and through the sacrificing of their unrivalled energy that wars are won and nations are restored. They are, indeed, the flowers of our nation, and the custodians of our collective rugby league future. South African rugby league owes it’s a great debt of gratitude to both the current and past generation of youth. Sixty years ago, in 1962, it was the sacrifice of a group of young men who, with an eye to their own future, decided to break the mould of tradition and to bring rugby league to these shores. When the sport faced a serious existential crisis during the decade 2010 – 20 because of serious and near-fatal wounds, it was yet again a new generation that stepped to the fore to salvage the SA Rugby League and to become a symbol of the sport’s resilience. Within these ranks were Jean Pierre Nel, one of Tuks Rugby League, most talented players. JP as he became known among friends and rivals, played the game with unlimited enthusiasm, always in support and always leading with the shoulder to gain critical territorial advantage. “Always with a grin, always smiling…. always had your back! as a teammate recalled. 

Off the field, he played it equally hard. Another friend recalled: 
JP “always had a plan! And just know how to cheer a person up and what to say to make all troubles go away!”  With adventures of this sort, it is a predetermined fact, as recalled by another:
“We are all bound to each other for life, no matter where we are or we go, we have shared so many moments with each other that we will be connected for the rest of our lives”

JP Nel made his debut for the Rhinos en route to the Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers on 9 October 2011. The game against Canada at Fletcher’s Field at Markham was a tough one and a moment of immense pride for the players. They were tasked with restoring South African pride after an intense period of internal strife. In their hands laid the responsibility to turn despair into hope and to showcase the Rhino as a worthy opponent. JP and his teammates were full value for money and defeated the Canadian Wolverines by 36-22 after a tough battle on a hot Toronto day. This prompted a local reporter to write:
“The Rhino Moniker is one that is meant to bring awe, respect and fear from opposition. The rhino is a large and powerful animal that stands its ground and defends itself when under threat. These are all qualities that were shown by the South African Rugby League team today in Markham, Toronto”.

With the coach confirming his trust in the team, JP remained part of the matchday squad for the critical first qualifier against the USA Tomahawks, four days later, on 15 October 2011 at Campbell’s Field, Camden. Although the team could not secure a place in the final group of finalists, the new generation of Rhino’s had done a great deal of work to restore the country’s status as a rugby league nation. A continued display of good form and consistent performance saw JP included in the SA Student Rugby League World Cup Squad for the Leeds event.  In its aftermath, JP also represented his country in the series against the visiting New South Wales Country Rugby League side played at the Bosman Stadium on 18 October 2013. His international career was capped with appearances against Lebanon on 25 October 2015 and against Niue on 2 November 2016 also at the Bosman Stadium, Pretoria.

JP Nel was a dedicated servant of the sport of rugby league in South Africa. His legacy would be engraved in the annals of this exciting and worthwhile game together with those who have served under the most difficult conditions. We a SA Rugby League salute a true Rhino, one that true to our moniker has brought an equal measure of awe and fear to our rivals and earned the respect of both fans and enemies. Rest well!

By Hendrik Snyders

​Turkish Rugby League Association president Gurol Yildiz has been elected to the board of European Rugby League by the members. Yildiz, 52, takes his place with immediate effect and will carry out his duties alongside his role at the TRLA which he has held since 2018, having been involved in that organisation since 2016. 

Born in Turkey, Yildiz and his parents emigrated to Australia when he was six months old but he returned to the country aged 27. He has overseen the growth of the Turkey’s domestic competition which now includes eight men’s teams, four women’s teams and four U18s male sides, as well increasing Turkey’s presence internationally with their men’s and women’s teams ranked 19th and 10th in the world respectively. 

“I’m extremely pleased and overwhelmed with the vote of confidence I received for the position of member-elected director,” commented Yildiz. “I’m looking forward to working together with the other members to build this wonderful sport. We are at an unparalleled period in rugby league, with back-to-back World Cups on the continent over the space of three years, which gives us tremendous potential to work with.”

The position became available following European Rugby League’s governance review and the subsequent decision to increase the size of the board, ratified by the members at the AGM in November 2021. 

Alongside, ERL is currently appointing two new independent directors, one of whom will become the organisation’s chair which will eventually see the board size rise to nine, four of them being independent, three who are elected directly by the membership, plus founding members France and England appointing a director each. 

ERL interim chair, Graeme Thompson, said: “The ERL board gives a warm welcome to Gurol. He has been a key driver for the development of the sport in Turkey for which he is much respected. Member-elected directors bring great practical knowledge, insight and inspiration about developing rugby league and Gurol is keen to provide his experience for the greater good of our organization and members. We all look forward to his first board meeting with us."

The Wolverines sets the tone for the penultimate half of the 2021/22 season by grabbing a hard-fought victory from the Silverback in their first outing of the year. This brought them level with the Tomahawks on the log. They, however, are fortunate to have one game in hand. Facing a determined Silverbacks side who were eager to restore lost pride, the wolf pack were pushed until the final whistle. Hunting as a unit and weathering the relentless onslaught of the Mighty Silver Ones, victory was always in the balance. But six tries ensure them a 26-20 victory in which T.K. Kopelo was particularly prominent as the scorer of a double-header of tries. Their victory brought them within six points of the log leaders, the Loskop Leopards. For the Silverbacks, the season continue to be one of struggle and discontent. With only 3 points on the log they still have a mountain to climb. Those in front of them, however, need to stay alert for the Silver Ones will surely help to determine the final outcome of this season. Interesting days await!
Protea Cup
Wolverines 26 vs Silverbacks 20
Wolverines Tries
T.K. Kopelo 2, R. Labuschagne, S. Fuchs, G. Gibson, F. Cloete

Conversions
G Gibson
***********************
*Hat-trick Hero of the Week:  None

* Double – Header of the Week: T. Kopelo

* Golden Boot – Sharpshooter of the Week: G. Gibson

In a positive turn of events, the TuksRL Reds signalled in no uncertain terms that they are back and meaning business when they smashed the Spartans by 42-16 the past weekend. This brought them within reach of both Spartans and Pretoria. The key factor, however, is the fact that the Students have two games in hand. Whether this would be enough to catch log-leaders, the St. Helens Vultures, is debatable. The Vultures are sitting pretty at 25 points after 5 outings. Even with bonus points a possibility, the Reds may still fall short. Any unplanned defeat may also further derailed any well-laid plans devised during the festive break. Given the current standings, it is also highly unlikely that their Blue counterparts will make a dramatic return and upset the apple-cart. The TuksRL Blues however, can still play a spoiler role during the remainder of the season and aid their red peers to make a solid charge for the champions. Although the Grizzlies currently occupy the second place on the log, they face a real threat from Pretoria. The Pretoria men were in devastating form and ran the Brits Bulldogs ragged. With one game in hand and 16 points in hand, the Capitols are well placed to make an impactful surge to the title. Only problem is that the Tukkies Collective may have other plans. Similarly, the Grizzlies with their nose ahead of the men from the capitol, may also devised a number of ambushes. Home and away, and favours from friends, will seemingly play a determining role closer to the season’s end. If the pattern remain and the chips continue to fall in the right or same places, the Vultures may continue to soar and snatch the crown before anybody else. The dented pride of the Bulldogs and the need to restore the prestige of the Blues maybe just be the x-factors in this year’s competition. Only time will tell!!! 
Results of Kobus Botha Rhino cub 15-01-2022
TuksRL Reds 42 vs Spartans 16
Points scorers TuksRL Reds
Tries
 Esjee Esterhuyse 2 
 Louis Naude 2 
 CJ Meyer 2 
 Damain Diedericks
 Welcome Mphaka

Conversions
 Jean Coetzer 5
Point Scorers Spartans
Tries
 K Thabana
 M Jacobs
 M Shioma

Conversions
 Pieter Beukes 2

********************
Pretoria RLC 60 vs Brits Bulldogs 36
 Point scorers
Pretoria RLC Tries
 Marcell Human x3
 S Mxoli x2 
 E Taaibosch x2 
 Duane Bloem 
 Celvin Maduna 
 A Swartbooi 
 T Du Preez
Conversions
 Duane Bloem 6 
 T du Preez 
 T Tambodala
Brits Bulldogs Tries
A Olivier, M Baartman 2, S Anderson, J Dicks. B Theys, F Trollip

Conversions
F Trollip
*****************
Friendly Game
St Helens Vultures 40 vs Grizzlies 22
*********************
*Hat-trick Hero of the Week: 
 Marcell Human (Pretoria) x3
* Golden Boot – Sharpshooter of the Week: 
 Duane Bloem (Pretoria) 6 
* Double – Headers of the Week: 
 M Baartman 2 (Brits Bulldogs) 
 Marcell Human (Pretoria) x3
 S Mxoli (Pretoria) x2 
 E Taaibosch (Pretoria)  x2 
 Esjee Esterhuyse (TuksReds) 2 
 Louis Naude (TuksReds) 2 
 CJ Meyer 2 (TuksReds)

​Prime Minister Mr Jean Castex announced on Tuesday 11 January 2022, that France will be the host country of the Rugby League World Cup, which will take place in 2025, in the presence of Ms Roxana Maracineanu, Minister delegate for Sport. This announcement follows the signing between Hon. Troy Grant, President of the International Rugby League (IRL) and Michel Wiener, Managing Director of France 2025, of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) attribute the organisation of this World Cup to France.

France 2025 will simultaneously bring together four competitions: women, men, wheelchair and youth. Inclusion is a value upheld by rugby league, which is why the format of this 17th edition of the World Cup will be completely new.

The competition will take place in 40 cities across France, in particular in the medium-sized cities which make up the wealth of our regions: France 2025 will be the World Cup of the regions. Owing to facility capacity, major cities will be selected to hold the semi-finals and finals. Designed as an ecologically and economically responsible project, France 2025 will act as an accelerator for the economy, tourism, employment and vocational training, thanks to the direct and indirect benefits generated by the organisation of the competition and the 2,000+ professional training opportunities which will be created by France 2025 between 2023 and 2025.

These are the challenges and requirements of the country as well as its host regions for the World Cup, which were presented during an opening round table by Ms Caroline Cayeux, President of the Cities of France, Mr Kamel Chibli, Vice-President of the Regions of France, Mr Luc Lacoste, President of the French Rugby League Federation, Mr Claude Revel, President of GIE France Sport Expertise and Mr Thierry Teboul, Managing Director of AFDAS training agency.

This event will be a great public celebration that will showcase the diversity of our country's regions. The delegations will arrive in October 2025 and the competition will run for five weeks until mid-November 2025. Starting at the end of 2023, nearly one million tickets will go on sale for the stadiums and arenas (where the wheelchair competitions will take place). 100,000 supporters from all over the world are expected to follow France 2025.

France 2025 will be the people's competition. The average price of a ticket will be less than 30 Euro, enabling all audiences to take part in this celebration.

Organisation by France of this 2025 World Cup reflects the new direction that the French Rugby League has taken since the December 2020 election of Luc Lacoste as President of the French Federation. This election marks the desire of international bodies (IRL at a global level and ERL at a European level) to make France a new stronghold in the development strategy of rugby league worldwide.

"France is a land of major sporting events, which represent a tremendous asset for economic appeal and social cohesion in our regions. Hosting of the Rugby Union World Cup in 2023 and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024 are spearheads of this policy, carried out jointly by the state and communities. The Rugby League World Cup, which will be organised in 2025 by France, is a great opportunity for the many regions and cities that wish to engage in this dynamic and I support it wholeheartedly." Jean Castex, Prime Minister

“The rebirth of the international rugby league in France has been a strategic goal of our sport for many decades and I am delighted that it will now become a reality through this award of the 2025 world cup to France. As the sport’s international federation, International Rugby League is so pleased to be able to bring the world cup home, to where it all began with the first world cup in 1954, and in keeping with that historic theme, for the very first time there will be four competitions - Men, Women, Wheelchair and Youth - truly a Rugby League World Cup for everyone, and all of society.

“We are very grateful to the French government and all the regions, cities and towns for the strong support they have given to our outstanding French bid team and we can’t wait to welcome visitors from across the globe to this wonderful country, not only to share our exciting & accessible sport but also to enjoy world-class tourism, rich cultural experiences and the unique atmosphere of France and its people.

“This 2025 world cup journey will allow us to build on the already strong bond that exists between rugby league and France, but also to deepen rugby league’s presence in and throughout the country. As a sport, we are proud to complete a trifecta of major world sporting events in this magnificent French decade of sport and help celebrate a wonderful, proud and dynamic nation through an unforgettable celebration of rugby league”. Troy Grant, Chair of International Rugby League.

"With this announcement of the return of the Rugby League World Cup to its homeland of France, it is wonderful news that is shaping up today for our sport, the French Rugby League Federation, and especially for the clubs, managers, members and volunteers. We are extremely proud for them to see this magnificent event being launched today. First and foremost, it belongs to them. 
“What a journey we have taken in less than a year. It was a commitment to the world of the French rugby league; it is now becoming a reality. 
“The very design of the project opens up great prospects for the development of this sport in multiple regions and with a large and diverse audience. 
“I would like to thank all the teams who participated in the development of this project and, first and foremost, its Executive Director, Michel Wiener. I would also like to thank the IRL Steering Committee, represented by its President, Troy Grant, for its confidence in our project. Finally, we would like to thank the French Government for its support as well as the regions of France and the local authorities who have already come forward to organise this wonderful event alongside France 2025. Together, we will make France 2025 a huge success. The story starts today." Luc Lacoste, President of the French Rugby League Federation

​FROM: ERL MEDIA DEPARTMENT
DATE: 17 January 2022

𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃𝐔𝐋𝐄

Rugby League Norge has announced their domestic schedule for the men’s running game. The season is due to kick off on April 30, culminating with a Grand Final scheduled for Saturday 17 September.

Five clubs will contest the Championship, which will see Haugesund Sea Eagles host Lillestrøm Lions in the opening game. They will be joined by Oslo Capitals, Sandnes Raiders and Trondheim, with the sides meeting each other once throughout the season.

RLN president, Anne Haigh, commented: “After delaying the season in 2021 because of the pandemic, we are delighted to be back on schedule, in our usual slot, and all of the teams are preparing for what is set to be another hard-fought championship.

“Sadly 2021 champions Stavanger will not return to defend their crown but plan to play some friendlies and enter any 9s activity, but the competition will be boosted by an increase in domestic refereeing talent following the visit of European Rugby League match officials tutor Paul Causby, who delivered a course in late 2021 in preparation for the new season.”

Haigh added: “The effort of the clubs and players is amazing as rugby league in Norway sees some of the longest distances travelled by community clubs in the world – it is almost a 600km drive between Oslo and Trondheim, for example. We are also planning some international fixtures for later in the year as part of the return to action.”

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐 𝐑𝐮𝐠𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐱𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭:

Haugesund Sea Eagles v Lillestrøm Lions – 30th April
Oslo Capitals v Trondheim Rugby Klubb – 7th May

Oslo Capitals v Sandnes Raiders – 21st May
Trondheim Rugby Klubb v Haugesund Sea Eagles – 21st May

Haugesund Sea Eagles v Oslo Capitals – 11th June
Sandes Raiders v Lillestrøm Lions – 11th June

Sandnes Raiders v Haugesund Sea Eagles – 27th August
Lillestrøm Lions v Trondheim Rugby Klubb – 27th August

Trondheim Rugby Klubb v Sandnes Raiders – 10th September
Lillestrøm Lions – Oslo Capitals – 10th September

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 – 𝟏𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫

​Preparations to have KwaZulu-Natal as Province registered with League Rugby and to enroll a
few rugby clubs in the province to join Rugby League, is fast becoming a reality. The Natal Rugby
Union gave their full support by submitting the names and particulars of all registered clubs in the
province for League to negotiate directly to play Rugby League as a Summer sport. This would
help to develop rugby in general. To add to this good news, a new initiative, the South African
Centre for Sport and Community Development  was established recently near Port Shepstone in
Natal to accommodate Union and Rugby League, an affiliated member of SARU, under one roof.