SARL and SARU had a landmark meeting where SARL was presented the opportunity to present their case for Association to SARU to the Executive Council of SARU and all the Presidents of the various provinces. This is part of the process for Association Status to SARU. SARL sits in the unique situation that clauses in the Articles of Association of SASCOC and SRSA, South Africa’s governing body for sport and it’s operational arm, prevents them from recognising SARL as a different governing body for sport. The only solution forward was for the two sporting codes to approach it from a different angle, and an Association Status is the only solution.

Both codes have been working hard at creating a memorandum of agreement for Association, and this will be presented to the SARU Executive Council at their December Annual General Meeting. Once this has been passed by majority vote, SARL will get automatic recognition as a sporting body within the structures of SASCOC and SRSA. This will enable SARL to have their players “capped” when representing South Africa, and also open the doors for development initiatives at grass roots levels.

Both parties are upbeat about the progress, and the willingness for the two sporting bodies to work together to reach a solution to ensure that players of all races, gender and age can be afford the opportunity to participate in a sport of their choosing and stand the chance to represent their country at international level.