Belgium Rugby League Association Explained

The Belgian Rugby League Association is the governing body for rugby league in Belgium.^[1] It was formed in early 2009 as Belgium Rugby League and given Observer status by the RLIF.^{[2] [3]} The first Belgian club was established in Wavre and on 11 July 2009 they faced Hammersmith Hills Hoists in the first match to be played in Belgium.^[2] Two weeks later, the Belgium XIII representative side defeated a Catalonia XIII in the Euro Med Challenge.^{[2] [4]} In 2010, Belgium were scheduled to compete in the European Bowl, but withdrew from the tournament and development of the sport in Belgium was suspended.^{[2] [5] [6]}

In May 2013, the governing body was re-established as the Belgian Rugby League Association and joined the RLEF later that month as Observers.^{[1] [7]} On 29 June, in a match against the Netherlands, Belgium fielded their first national team conforming to international regulations.^[8] In 2015, Belgian and Dutch clubs took part in a joint competition, the BNRL Championship, and the association announced plans for the first Belgian Super League to commence in November 2015.^{[1] [9]} However, in 2019 it was reported that a national club competition had yet to be developed.^[3]

In March 2024, Belgium were expelled from the IRL due to inactivity.^[10]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Belgian Rugby League Association . European Rugby League . 20 March 2024.
2. Web site: Rugby League Planet – Belgium snapshot and rugby league results . Rugby League Planet . 4 June 2012 . 20 March 2024.
3. Web site: Tribute paid to Belgium rugby league stalwart . Rugby League Planet . 26 August 2019 . 20 March 2024.
4. Web site: Catalonia 22 28 Belgium . European Rugby League . 20 March 2024.
5. Web site: War has been declared . Rugby League International scores . 19 May 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110301014551/http://www.rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com/index.php/2010/05/war-has-been-declared/ . 1 March 2011.
6. Web site: Annual Report 2010 . Rugby League European Federation . 18 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120528223822/http://www.rlef.eu.com/_uploads/RLEF%202010%20Annual%20Report.pdf . 28 May 2012.
7. Web site: Belgium . Rugby League European Federation . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160101142318/http://www.rlef.eu.com/belgium/introduction . 1 January 2016.
8. Web site: Netherlands 6 22 Belgium . European Rugby League . 20 March 2024.
9. Web site: Belgium inaugural rugby league championship set for kick-off . Rugby League Planet . 13 November 2015 . 20 March 2024.
10. Web site: International Rugby League Membership: Ireland, Italy, Lebanon, Scotland reclassified . 2024-03-15 . International Rugby League . https://web.archive.org/web/20240316054849/https://www.intrl.sport/news/irl-membership-ireland-italy-lebanon-scotland-reclassified/ . 16 March 2024.