Rugby League European Federation

Rugby League European Federation
Rugby League European Federation logo
Founded 2003[1]
RLIF affiliation 2004
Responsibility Europe and Northern Hemisphere[1]
Headquarters Red Hall, Red Hall Lane, Leeds, UK[2]
Membership 7 full members[1]
7 affiliate members[1]
6 official observers[1]
Key people Maurice Watkins[1] (Chair)
Website rlef.eu.com
Europe
As of 30 June 2009

The Rugby League European Federation (RLEF) is the umbrella body for nations playing the sport of rugby league football across Europe and the Northern Hemisphere.[1] It supports the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF).[1] The RLEF "oversees and co-ordinates the development of the sport in all its member countries and those neighbouring organisations that choose to link to the RLEF".[1] The RLEF operates several competitions, most notably the European Cup.

History

The federation was founded January 2003 following an initiative between Richard Lewis, Executive Chairman of Britain's Rugby Football League (RFL) and his French counterpart Jean Paul Ferre.[1] The RLEF's first constitution was approved in January 2004 and the federation's first Board of Directors was elected.[1] This first Board of Directors consisted of Jean Paul Ferre as President/Chairman and Richard Lewis as Deputy Chairman with Nigel Wood and Nicolas Larrat being the other Board members.[1] Representatives for Morocco, Italy, Serbia, Russia, Lebanon, Ireland, Scotland and Wales attended.[1] Russia became a full member of the RLEF, joining Britain and France, and the RLIF soon after.[1]

At the time of its foundation, the RLEF placed a "particular emphasis on generating development funding within each country".[1] Historically, much of the development work conducted in Europe had been funded by the RFL.[3] Following the profitable 2008 World Cup, the RFL and RLEF prepared to bid for funds to enhance their activities.[3]

In December 2009, Kevin Rudd, a former Scotland rugby league international, stepped down as Executive Officer of the RLEF after more than five years in the post.[4] RLEF Chairman Richard Lewis stated that Rudd "has done an outstanding job and created a platform, structure and competitions framework that can take us into the future".[4] Rudd was succeeded by Danny Kazandjian.[5] Kazandjian had previously been a key figure in the establishment of rugby league in Lebanon and had led the RLEF's development drive in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions as Director of Development for the Euro-Med region.[5]

RLEF board

Membership

Currently seven nations are full members of the federation; there are also seven associate members and six official observers. Full members are entitled to a greater proportion of voting rights and to become members of the Rugby League International Federation.

In order to become an associate member, a nation must meet the following criteria:

The RLEF stipulates that continued associate and full membership of the federation is subject to a check every two years to ensure that the minimum criteria are still being met.[1]

Full members

Associate members

Official observers

Official RLEF Seedings

Rank Movement Team
1 Steady  England
2  France
3 Increase 1  Ireland
4  Scotland
5 Decrease 2  Wales
6 Steady  Italy
7 Increase 2  Serbia
8 Steady  Canada
9 Decrease 2  Russia
10 Steady  Germany
11  Norway
12  Ukraine
13 Increase 1  Belgium
14 Increase 4  Greece
15 Decrease 2  Lebanon
16 Decrease 1  Malta
17 Steady  Netherlands
18 Increase 1  Denmark
19 Decrease 3  Jamaica
20 Steady  Spain
21 Increase 1  Czech Republic
22 Increase 2  Sweden
23 Decrease 2  South Africa
24 Increase 1  Hungary
25 Decrease 2  Latvia
26 Steady  Morocco
27 NEW  Ghana
28  Trinidad and Tobago
29  United Arab Emirates

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 RLEF. "Overview". Rugby League European Federation. Archived from the original on 2010-08-06. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
  2. ↑ RLEF. "Rugby League European Federation Constitution". RLEF. Archived from the original on 2010-08-06. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Michael Fisher (2009-01-02). "RFL chief executive Nigel Wood backs Super League to flourish". Telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2010-08-06. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 rugbyleague.com (2009-12-18). "Euro development boss to step down". rugbyleague.com. Archived from the original on 2010-08-06. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 rugbyleague.com (2010-05-21). "RLEF appoint new development exec". rugbyleague.com. Archived from the original on 2010-08-06. Retrieved 2010-08-06.