Spanish Rugby League Association

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Spanish Rugby League Association
Asociación Española de Rugby League
Founded2013
RLEF affiliation
Observer: 2013–2015
Affiliate: 2015–
ResponsibilitySpain
HeadquartersValencia[1]
Key peopleSalomé Sansona[2] (President)
Websitewww.rugbyleague.es/
Spain
As of 29 August 2018

The Spanish Rugby League Association (

Rugby League European Federation since 2015, making the national team eligible to qualify for the Rugby League World Cup
.

History

The first rugby league in Spain was played in the region of

RLEF
membership and disappeared from international competition shortly afterwards.

Rugby league in Spain began once again in 2013. The governing body was formed on 28 August 2013[2] and awarded observer status of the RLEF on 27 December 2013; the announcement coming on 13 January 2014.[1][3] Affiliate membership was achieved in early 2015.[4]

National team

The national team played its first match on 25 May 2014,[5] defeating Belgium in Brussels. The first captain was Aitor Davila and the first Spanish try at international level was scored by Gonzalo Morro.[6]

2017 World Cup qualifying

Spain took part in the very first match of the qualification process for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, when they travelled to Riga to face Latvia. The Spanish side won the match 32-12 and progressed to the European C competition, which is the next phase of qualification.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b "RLEF recognises Spanish national governing body". RLEF. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  2. ^ a b "AERL - Asociación Española de Rugby League" (in Spanish). spainrugbyleague.com. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  3. ^ "LA AERL YA FORMA PARTE DE LA RLEF" (in Spanish). spainrugbyleague.com. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  4. ^ "Spain becomes twentieth RLEF member". RLEF. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  5. ^ Rigg, Nicholas (16 May 2014). "Spain set for emotional international rugby league debut". El País.
  6. ^ RLEF match report - Belgium vs Spain
  7. ^ "Spain defeat Latvia to take first step towards RLWC2017". RLIF. Retrieved 6 October 2015.

External links