Announcements

ST HELENS South and Whiston MP Marie Rimmer has backed calls for the Rugby League International Federation to be granted observer status by the General Assembly of International Sports Federations.

Ms Rimmer, who is secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group, has supported the push for the RLIF to be recognised as the sole world governing body of the the sport.

The RLIF’s application to GAISF, the umbrella organisation for all international sports federations, will be reviewed at a forthcoming GAISF Council meeting on Wednesday, January 24, and a decision will be made on whether to grant the RLIF observer status.

The parliamentary Group has again written to GAISF President, Patrick Baumann, in support of the RLIF’s application.

The letter notes that the Group recognises the RLIF as the sole world governing body of the sport, with the copyright to the rules of rugby league; the trademark on the men’s and women’s Rugby League World Cups; and 71 national federations as members.

In the letter, the Group also calls on GAISF to grant the RLIF observer status without further delay at the forthcoming GAISF Council meeting.

Group secretary Ms Rimmer said: “The success of the recent Rugby League World Cups presents a significant opportunity for rugby league, but for the sport to further develop in countries around the world it is vital that the Rugby League International Federation is admitted to the General Assembly of International Sports Federations.

“I hope that the General Assembly of International Sports Federations Council will finally grant the Rugby League International Federation observer status, and ensure that the sport is given the recognition it deserves.”