Rugby League Expansion
In recent years one subject that has created a lot of conflict is the attempts made to create new clubs. Recently a Super League chairman suggested that there should be no place for the two French clubs in ‘their’ competition. And what is the correct name of that competition. No, it’s not Super League but Super League Europe!
What is much less frequently talked about is the amazing expansion of rugby league across the globe.
When the World Cup began in 1954 there were only four viable teams that could participate: Australia, France, Great Britain and New Zealand. The World Cup continued in a similar vein until 1977 with just one exception, in 1972 but that was because instead of Great Britain taking part they were replaced by both and England and a Wales team.
Rugby League began to take root in Papua New Guinea in the 1940s and they started to play international matches in 1975. They were then included in the World Cup for the first time in 1988. That year the competition consisted of a round robin home and away fixtures that were ‘designated matches’ in a variety of test series between 1985 and 1988 with the two teams (Australia and New Zealand) who finished top of the table contesting the final. But France withdrew after they had played 5 of their 8 matches because of financial problems.
By 2000, in the qualifying stages and the finals, there were now 21 participating countries, 16 of which played in the finals tournament and those that failed to make it took part in an emerging nations competition alongside the main event. That was a real beginning to an amazing expansion.
Now, in 2022 the qualifiers and the finals have had 28 participants and that is only the tip of what has been going on in the expansion of rugby league across the world.
International Rugby League is governed by the Rugby League International Federation with two bodies which have a geographical responsibility. Rugby League Europe is bit of a misnomer because it is responsible for the northern hemisphere and the Asia-Pacific Rugby League Federation which has responsibility for the southern hemisphere. Both these bodies have three classes of membership: Full, Affiliate and Observer.
The Asia-Pacific Rugby League Federation has a total of 15 member countries:
But, believe it or not, Rugby League Europe has a total of 47 member countries.
What a far cry it is since the days when there were only four rugby league countries. It should be a reason for huge celebration and gladden the hearts of every single person who loves our sport. Rugby league is not dying. No-one can deny that there are problems that need to be sorted out but the growth across the globe is a huge success!
We end with the image of a bottle of champagne for 2 reasons. Firstly because champagne is the drink of celebration, and secondly in tribute to the French who had the foresight and determination to press for a rugby league World Cup!
Women’s Challenge Cup
What great news that the Women’s Challenge Cup is to get its due recognition with the final to be played at Wembley next year.
We felt quite uncomfortable with the final being allied to the men’s semi-finals but now it will have its rightful place. What a far cry from the fairly recent days when the final got to be played on an amateur ground.
What has been happening in women’s rugby league is another wonderful example of rugby league expansion.
1,000 points
Early on in last weekend’s match the Fev team took their points tally for the season past the 1,000 points mark. They have now scored 1,067. And while we are celebrating the French, it was Gadwin Springer’s try that brought up the 1,000. Gadwin was not actually born in France itself. He hails, originally from French Guiana, a French dependency in South America. Here is a bit of trivia. The border between French Guiana and Brazil is France’s longest land border!
Luke Cooper
What a wonderful gesture it was for Craig Hall to give Luke a chance to kick a goal during his 150th career appearance. The fact that he managed to successfully kick it means that he maintains his miraculous 100% goal-kicking record although it is only two out of two! He is one of three current Fev players who have a 100% goal-kicking record for Fev (all with two out of two). Do you know who the others are?
Of course, Luke’s 150th Fev appearance is also his 150th career appearance, having played all his first-grade matches with Rovers. He obviously likes to keep his stats arithmetically neat. Those 150 games consist of 50 starts and 100 from the subs bench.
Those sub appearances are the most by any Fev player ever!
What a joy it is to have Luke at Fev. He always gives everything on the field and we don’t think we have ever seen a prop forward who plays so far above his weight as Luke does. A Fev legend!
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