miguel de cervantes
First Grade
- Messages
- 7,474
Spain seems to be finally developing a domestic scene! Exciting times for the game in europe.
Spanish Rugby League dream becoming A reality
http://www.nospam18.com/images/nations/spain/SpainishRL2014.jpg
Date:3/9/14
The inaugural president of the Asociacion Espanol Rugby League has reflected positively on the organisation’s first year.
Salomé Sansano Zapata, who oversaw the creation of the AERL last August and its affiliation as an Observer of the RLEF in December, said: “The origin of rugby league in Spain arose from the love for this sport from a small group of passionate people who have, step by step, earned a lot of respect.
“In this short and intense season we have had some emotional moments, such as recognition as Observer by the RLEF, the impressive debut of our national team and the fight to conquer our first championships. Our dream has become reality thanks to the hard work of all.”
On the international stage, Spain beat Belgium twice under the stewardship of coach Darren Fisher while domestically, the AERL conducted a six-team national championship and cup competition, totalling 16 full games.
New clubs in Madrid and Catalonia are expected to join the AERL before the start of the 2015 season as they move towards two four-team conferences in the first division.
Their longer term objective is to cultivate regional leagues in Valencia - which is the centre of Spanish rugby league at the moment, with six clubs - Madrid, Alicante and Catalonia.
It's almost certainly nothing to do with that.Great to hear Catalonia getting involved, after the RLEF cancelled their membership following prolonged inactivity.
No, as Iowa said, any activity there is not related to the cancellation and very unlikely to be related to the old Catalonia organization at all, who were a bunch of RU guys looking for a chance to represent Catalonia at international level. TBH I thought the old Catalonia organization had had their RLEF membership revoked years ago.Their cancellation wasn't to do with their inactivity?
FIRST NATIONAL CONGRESS OF RUGBY LEAGUE IN SPAIN
18th November 2014
As part of the first, annual Spanish rugby league congress, held in Albal (Valencia), the AERL has announced that it intends to create two divisions - elite and development - for the Spanish Championship for next season.
Linked to that, they have also confirmed that there will be a requirement to submit development projects for youth sections for any clubs wishing to participate in the Spanish Championship Elite from 2016 onwards.
The congress was attended by Spanish clubs, representatives of the new Spanish referees and coaching academy and members of the Asociacion Española Rugby League Board of Directors.
Aitor Dàvila, General Manager of AERL, said: “We are very pleased with our progress and step by step we are achieving results. Two of our short-term goals are to set up an elite division and launch an U18 league. Developing new clubs is a priority for us too. We intend becoming an RLEF Affiliate Member as soon as possible”, he added.
Salome Sansano, president of AERL commented: “The congress saw the Spanish project write a new historic page, drawing up our future and showing transparency in our management. Everybody who attended leaves with a clear idea of what we are in need of doing and what we have done already. Our path is there and all the Spanish rugby league community works as one in that direction.”
UNIQUE COLLABORATION BETWEEN ITALY AND SPAIN ANNOUNCED
25th January 2015
FIRL (Federazione Italiana Rugby League) and AERL (Spanish Association of Rugby League) have agreed to collaborate on the joint development of rugby league in both countries.
The agreement, which initially covers the next two years, provides a working framework to continue to build the sport in both countries, along with international fixtures.
AERL and FIRL intend to organize conferences to share best practice and exchange programmes for coaches and referees.
Aitor Dàvila, General Secretary AERL, commented, The two nations are very close culturally and we also agree on how we look to the future. AERL and FIRL believe in the necessity of our referees and coaches to develop in parallel. I'm sure that this exchange will nourish our projects on both sides.
Tiziano Franchini, vice president of the Italian Rugby League Federation, added, These steps are needed for domestic and international development on and off the field. This is the first step in the formation of a cooperation at Mediterranean level.
In addition, Spain and Italy B will play a match in Alicante in June, at the La LLometa Stadium home of Muro de Alcoy, the first rugby league clash between two Latin teams in Europe.
I get confused with Italy. Is that the official body, or the rebel group ?