RLIF

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Rugby League International Federation
Founded 1998[1]
Area served Worldwide
Headquarters Sydney, Australia
Membership 45 national associations
Key people Scott Carter (Chair)
Website rlif.org

The Rugby League International Federation[2] (RLIF[2]) is the world governing body of rugby league football.[3] It was formed in 1998 in Sydney, Australia.[1][4] Its purpose is to, "foster, develop, extend, govern and administer the game of Rugby League throughout the world".[5] Its headquarters are in Sydney, Australia, and its current chairman is Scott Carter of the New Zealand Rugby League. The RLIF's predecessors were the International Rugby League Board, established in 1948, and the Super League International Board.[1]

The RLIF is responsible for the Laws of the Game, the development, organization and governance rugby league internationally, and for the sport's major international tournaments, most notably the Rugby League World Cup and the Four Nations.[6]

There are two regional associations affiliate to the RLIF; the Rugby League European Federation (RLEF) and the Pacific Islands Rugby League Federation (PIRLF).

Contents

[edit] Formation

Due to the split in the sport caused by the Super League war, in 1995 the world governing body, the International Rugby League Board, lost control of the international game.[7] In a meeting that ended "acrimoniously", every IRLB member nation except Australia "stated their intention to withdraw their membership" and to establish the Super League International Board (SLIB) to govern Super League worldwide.[4][7]

In 1998, when the Super League dispute was concluding and the sport coming back together, the International Rugby League Board and the Super League International Board were disestablished and replaced by a new organisation, the Rugby League International Federation.[1][8][9] The replacement saw worldwide governance of rugby league handed back to the sport's national governing bodies.[8]

The meeting in Sydney at which it was agreed to form the RLIF was held at the request of the Australian and New Zealand Rugby Leagues.[4] Britain was represented by the Rugby Football League, rather than Super League (Europe), the company formed by its leading clubs.[4]

John McDonald, chair of the Australian Rugby League, became chair of the RLIF.[4][8] Maurice Lindsay, the chairman of the Super League International Board, was bypassed after he had suggested that the SLIB, with him leading it, should carry on the governance of the international game.[4] Lindsay's candidature was weak due to his role in the Super League war.[4] The cessation of Super League operations in Australasia and the notice that had been given of the SLIB's intention to cease funding the sport in the Pacific islands, meant the SLIB could be left with only Britain left as a member.[4] The French were happy to cut ties with SLIB and join the new Federation as, allegedly, "they never saw a penny of the ₤1 million they believed they had been promised to sign up with Super League".[10]

In 1998, there was regret that rugby league had been so badly damaged, Harry Edgar, a rugby league writer, warned, "there can be no place for politics or individuals seeking personal glorification" as the "international game picks up the pieces after three years of bitter fall-out".[4]

[edit] History

The RLIF's scheduling of competitions made shortly after its formation, specifically the timing of world cups, was criticised by Graham Clay, editor of Open Rugby magazine for opting for a four-yearly cycle beginning in 2002 that would mean rugby league facing strong competition from other major sporting events for corporate sponsorship.[11] During the build-up to the 2008 World Cup, which had been timed to coincide with Australia's Centenary of Rugby League celebrations, it was stated and confirmed afterwards that the following tournament in the United Kingdom would be held in 2013 to avoid the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and that subsequent World Cups would be contested on a four-year cycle.[12]

The absence of a formal schedule of international competition has been criticised as leaving the sport "weak in international development, and in finances to help the game survive and grow outside the UK and Australia".[13] Some moves have been made to correct this though, with the RFL's Richard Lewis proposing a ten-year international plan in 2007.

In 2009 the member nations agreed that the RLIF should negotiate over sponsorship, licensing and broadcast rights for international rugby league rather than the member nations.[14]

As of 2009, the RLIF imposed a levy of 10% on net gate receipts at all international matches, providing the International Federation with revenues.[5] The RLIF makes grants to member nations to help foster the game but the effectiveness of these has been questioned.[15]

The Pacific Rim nations of Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and the Cook Islands united to form the Pacific Islands Rugby League Federation (PIRLF) in December 2009.[16]

However, PIRLF was not formally recognised by the RLIF, as consideration was being given to modernising the RLIF constitution and membership structure. The Wales Rugby League were granted full membership of the RLIF in 2010 at a meeting in Melbourne, Australia.[17]

At a special general meeting held in Auckland, New Zealand in November 2010, a new constition was approved that gave New Zealand, Australia and England permanent seats on the RLIF board, with provision made for an additional seat each by May 2011 for the RLEF and a soon-to-be-formed Asia Pacific Rugby League Confederation (APRLC), once RLEF and APRLC were granted Associate Membership status by the RLIF.

The APRLC was incorporated in April 2011 with member nations New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and the Cook Islands.

Scotland and Ireland were each granted full membership of the RLIF, and the RLEF and APRLC Associate Membership, at the annual general meeting held in Auckland, New Zealand in May 2011. A new Chairman, Scott Carter was also elected, becoming the first Kiwi to hold the role. This prompted a walkout by the Rugby Football Leagues's Richard Lewis who believed he should have succeeded Australia's Colin Love.

[edit] Structure

The Rugby League International Federation is run and overseen by an executive consisting of five members.[5] The New Zealand Rugby League, Rugby Football League and Australian Rugby League hold three of the seats while the other two are elected by the Asia-Pacific Rugby League Federation and Rugby League European Federation.

The Rugby League International Federation executive meet at least twice annually and up to four times each year.[18]

[edit] Current Board

Member Position Nationality
Scott Carter Chairman New Zealand
Richard Lewis Deputy Chairman Great Britain
David Gallop Member of the Executive Australia
John Numapo Member of the Executive Asia Pacific
Nicolas Larrat Member of the Executive Europe
Andrew Hill Secretary Australia

Template:Anchor

[edit] Laws of the Game

Main article: Laws of rugby league

The laws of rugby league have been the responsibility of the RLIF since its formation in 1998.[6] Before that the Rugby Football League and IRLB, after its inception in 1948, were the bodies that maintained the Laws.

The International Federation in conjunction with the nations governing bodies (mainly the Australian Rugby League, Fédération Française de Rugby à XIII, New Zealand Rugby League and the Rugby Football League) often meet on a semi-regular basis of up to four times per year to make changes or decide new rules; although all test playing nations have a say in the altering of the rules and laws of rugby league.

[edit] International eligibility

The RLIF reiterated in 2008 that a player may represent a country if it is the country of their, their parents or any of their grandparents' birth or if that country has been the player's "principle country of residence" for three years up until the date of the player's selection.[2] A player may also be selected for country that they have represented in international rugby league in any age level before the 1998 introduction of the RLIF's constitution, or a country which the player has represented in a senior international competition in any other sport.[2]

In 2009, international qualification regulations were modified in response to dissatisfaction about players representing different nations too easily.[19] Players who have represented one country in World Cup qualifiers would now "not be permitted" to play for a different one in the World Cup tournament.[19] The rule change did not apply to players who had played for a country in a Test series or non-World Cup related tournament.[19] Applications must still be made to the RLIF for those changes still permitted.[19]

[edit] Competitions

For further information, see List of rugby league competitions.

The RLIF oversees the international game of rugby league, including the Rugby League World Cup, first held in 1954 in France and the first competition to be officially known as the "Rugby World Cup".[20] Since then the World Cup has been held a total of thirteen times, with the most recent Cup being held in Australia during 2008 which was eventually won by New Zealand. The next event is due to be held in 2013. The RLIF has also sanctioned and overseen the Women's Rugby League World Cup since its inception in 2000. The tournament is now held in conjunction with the men's tournament every time that it is held.

Other international competitions and fixtures that the RLIF oversees include the European Cup, Mediterranean Cup, Pacific Cup, Rugby League Four Nations, Rugby League Tri-Nations, Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament under-age international cups and tournaments including the Student Nations Cup which was last held at the beginning of 2007. The World Club Challenge which features the northern hemispheres Super League champions taking on the Pacific's National Rugby League champions is not currently operated by the RLIF but by Britain's Rugby Football League.[21]

Several domestic competitions are also aided and fall under the body of the RLIF including the Pacific's National Rugby League, Europe's Super League and Rugby League Challenge Cup as well as the American National Rugby League and the Russian Championship.

The game in Europe is only partially overseen by the Rugby League International Federation with the Rugby League European Federation also having a large say in the running and expansion of the game throughout Europe.

[edit] Recognitions and awards

For further information, see RLIF Awards.

The RLIF makes several international awards annually, beginning in 2004, including International Newcomer of the Year, Developing Nations Player of the Year, International Coach of the Year, International Back of the Year, International Forward of the Year and International Referee of the Year.[6]

[edit] International Rankings

For further information, see RLIF World Rankings.

The RLIF publishes and maintains the World Rankings of the men's national rugby league teams. The concept was first launched in January 2007 following in the footsteps of the European Rankings published by the Rugby League European Federation.

The RLIF World Rankings are calculated based on an average of points accumulated by each Nation over a three year cycle. Under the structure, matches deemed of higher importance such as World Cup games, Tri-Nations and other major tournament finals draw more points than mid-season Tests and other ‘Internationals’. For each match that a nation participates they are given a base level of points. This base level is affected upon the type of match and the status of the opponent.

Bonus points are given for teams that reach certain milestones deemed of significant international importance including reaching a tournament final or qualifying for an event such as a World Cup.

From the total number of points that a nation will receive these points are then averaged to help give a more accurate view of the performance of a nation over the three year cycle.

Nations which have played less than a certain number of matches deemed acceptable over a three year cycle will be penalised under the current point structure.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Clay, Graham, ed. (1998), Open Rugby (Brighouse, UK: League Publications) (210): 14 (published 1998-09), ISSN 0958-5427 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "World Cup rules spelled out". Sky Sports. 2008-07-31. Archived from the original on 2012-01-04. http://www.webcitation.org/64S3mVKv0. Retrieved 6 December 2009. 
  3. ↑ Hickey, Julia (2006). Understanding Rugby League. UK: Coachwise. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-905540-10-5. http://books.google.com/books?id=GU3ezfInjVwC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false. Retrieved 20 February 2011. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Edgar, Harry (1998), "Can League conquer the world?", Open Rugby (Brighouse, UK: League Publications) (210): 14–17, 1998-09, ISSN 0958-5427 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 SPARC, 2009: 25
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 SPARC, 2009: 24
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Hadfield, Dave (1995-04-24). "France and PNG to join exodus". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2012-01-02. http://www.webcitation.org/64P01rkse. Retrieved 29 November 2009. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Hadfield, Dave (1998-08-20). "Lindsay suffers body blow". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2012-01-02. http://www.webcitation.org/64P0Bi8hl. Retrieved 29 November 2009. 
  9. ↑ Coffey, John; Wood, Bernie (2008). 100 Years: Maori Rugby League, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. pp. 300. ISBN 1869693310, 9781869693312. http://books.google.com/books?id=nklWo8vw-iIC. Retrieved 30 November 2009. 
  10. ↑ Edgar, Harry (1998), "France look for outside help", Open Rugby (Brighouse, UK: League Publications) (210): 16, 1998-09, ISSN 0958-5427 
  11. ↑ Clay, Graham (1998), "League's lost opportunities", Open Rugby (Brighouse, UK: League Publications) (210): 6, 1998-09, ISSN 0958-5427 
  12. ↑ Hampson, Andy (2009-08-01). "2013 World Cup set for 12-team format in UK game's heartlands". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2012-01-04. http://www.webcitation.org/64S3bwKjY. Retrieved 6 December 2009. 
  13. ↑ SPARC, 2009: 27
  14. ↑ Mascord, Steve (5 August 2009). "Discord #17: International RL to get centralised deals, Soward's kick & much more". rleague.com. Archived from the original on 2012-01-04. http://www.webcitation.org/64S3WtkIJ. Retrieved 13 December 2009. 
  15. ↑ SPARC, 2009: 26
  16. ↑ "Pacific Islands rugby league body formed". Solomon Star. 2009-12-08. Archived from the original on 2012-01-04. http://www.webcitation.org/64S3PEwPC. Retrieved 5 January 2010. 
  17. ↑ "Wales given 2013 World Cup spot". BBC Sport. 2010-05-07. Archived from the original on 2012-01-04. http://www.webcitation.org/64S3JHE3X. Retrieved 7 May 2010. 
  18. ↑ Kilgallon, Steve (1 August 2010). "NZ prepares bid to co-host 2017 World Cup". The Sunday Star-Times. Archived from the original on 2012-01-04. http://www.webcitation.org/64S3DhitR. Retrieved 6 November 2011. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 Mascord, Steve (2009-11-04). "Eligibility rules tightened for league". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2012-01-04. http://www.webcitation.org/64S33WBh3. Retrieved 6 December 2009. 
  20. ↑ SPARC, 2009: 28
  21. ↑ Sky Sports (2009-03-02). "RFL cool on bigger Challenge". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 2012-01-04. http://www.webcitation.org/64S2vGqGi. Retrieved 2009-05-16. 
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