Rugby league in Canada
Rugby league in Canada | |
---|---|
Country | Canada |
Governing body | Canada Rugby League |
National team(s) | |
First played | 1928 |
National competitions | |
Rugby league football (French: Rugby à XIII) is a participation and spectator sport in Canada.
History
Games related to
From the late 19th century Canadian unions adopted rule changes, generally similar to changes made in the United States, which created the sport known as
With the exception of
Revival
In the 1980s interest in amateur rugby league returned, and in 1986 a new competition, the Tri-Counties Rugby League, was established. Four teams competed in its first year, three from Canada, and one from the U.S., the
In 2010, a new organization,
In 2016, the 2025 Rugby League World Cup was jointly awarded to Canada and the United States, however both later withdrew.
In 2017, Toronto Wolfpack was formed as an expansion club of the British rugby league system, and competed for four seasons until the COVID-19 pandemic, entering the league system in League 1 and seeing two promotions in three years to finish in the Super League.[10][11]
Post-covid, the Wolfpack formed their own competition within North America after the failed North American Rugby League.
Club competition
There are currently three (known) provisional competitions in Canada, the
Canada attempted to launch the professional North American Rugby League along with the USA in 2021, however this never materialised. In 2023, Toronto Wolfpack, Canada's only professional club (who previously had completed in the British rugby league system) organised the Canada Cup, an international league for all of North America.[12]
See also
- Canada national rugby league team
- Canada women's national rugby league team
- North American Rugby League
References
- ^ "Canada Rugby League: Lions introduce Rugby League to Canada". Archived from the original on 2011-09-11.
- ^ a b "Canada Rugby League: Nova Scotia Rugby Union try their hands at League". www.canadarugbyleague.com. Archived from the original on 2011-09-11.
- ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-01-01. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "The World of Rugby League". rleague.com. Archived from the original on 2010-04-09. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-06-28. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Salford and Canada team up". Canadarugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
- ^ "St Helens team up with Canada Rugby League". Canadarugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
- ^ "Rugby League Review come on as major sponsor". Canadarugbyleague.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
- ^ "Setanta Sports to bring NRL to Canada". Canadarugbyleague.com. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
- ^ "Off the Record: Rugby League Transfer Gossip #25". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
- ^ "Toronto Wolfpack win rugby league promotion despite Barrow's best efforts". National Post. The Canadian Press. September 9, 2017. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
- ^ "Toronto Wolfpack launch revival plans after years in the wilderness". Yorkshire Live. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.