The UAERL is proud to announce its "Domestic" and International campaign for 2015!
In a bid to bolster the presence of Rugby League in the region, along with the rise of the Falcons on the International stage, the structures have been put in place for an epic year ahead!
The crown jewel of the UAERL, The Rugby League Cup, kicks off on April 17, 2015. The defending champions, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, will take on the Xodus Wasps, Al Ain Amblers and the newly introduced Dubai Sharks in an electric four round domestic competition.
Following the Rugby League Cup, the annual "Mike Ballard" Emirate of Origin returns for the third consecutive year, with the best from Dubai taking on the best of Abu Dhabi. Game 1 will be held in Abu Dhabi on May 15th, 2015.
The UAE Falcons are gearing up for a busy schedule, taking on ranked nations both home and away. With confirmed fixtures against Pakistan, Lebanon, Thailand and Serbia the Falcons will be preparing well for the upcoming MEA Cup in October.
The Falcons have been strengthened by the appointment of George Yiasemides as Head Coach. Yiasemides has put together a highly qualified team of motivated individuals, including a Strength/Conditioning Coach, Skills Coach and Performance Coach. His work so far has been outstanding and with his leadership, the UAERL will see the Falcons rise to new heights.
The Junior Falcons, coached by Rugby League great Apollo Perelini (also Skills Coach for the seniors), will be the breeding ground for future Falcons. The Junior Falcons will be competing in the U18's MEA Cup taking place in February next year. This will add value to the Falcons and the UAERL's aim to develop the sport locally within its youth.
"As an organisation, the UAERL Board has set itself up for a fruitful 2015 which will see unprecedented Rugby League activity in the UAE and the Gulf region. With the success of the Rugby League World Cup, the Four Nations, and the International appeal of the NRL and Super League, Rugby League is growing Internationally and we are proud to be part of it. Our aim for 2015 is to become an Affiliate Members of the Rugby League European Federation." said UAERL President, Sol Mokdad.

Sounds like an electric competition to me. But honestly, how many of the UAE players are English or Australian expats?

But why no Moroccan League? So many French players could qualify for Morocco, most notably prop Jamal Fakir, and the Avignon based Khattabi brothers, who would provide a centre and a prop. In fact once you have assembled a competent spine, the rest of the Moroccan team could be put together quite easily.

Hong Kong RL also launched this week

Union did it by invading the world on the back of the British Empire, League will do it by distributing anzac bar staff to exotic destinations
Dubai and Hong Kong are a lot of things, but 'ripe for league' ain't one of them. They are bursting with ex-pat public school types who would roll up for the opening of a Rugby Union Envelope. The 7's is king in both places.
The preoccupation with pub teams as expansion when the game is in danger of further contraction at its only 2 homes is worrying.

I started following the International game after the 2000 world cup, and at that time the game was only played in 5 countries - Aus, NZ, UK, France and PNG - and now it is genuinely played in over 30 countries, and some like USA, Lebanon, Serbia and Fiji have thriving comps.
All this with virtually zero money being spent on the game apart from a few development officers being employed.

I started following the International game after the 2000 world cup, and at that time the game was only played in 5 countries - Aus, NZ, UK, France and PNG - and now it is genuinely played in over 30 countries, and some like USA, Lebanon, Serbia and Fiji have thriving comps.
All this with virtually zero money being spent on the game apart from a few development officers being employed.

Agreed Eerlee Berd. One or two posters seem intent on bringing their warped or blinkered view to bear on every thread.

Roopy's contribution is factually correct which to me reflects an amazing development of RL around the world at grass roots level made to happen by enthusiastic hard-working and pioneerng people of many nationalities.

Nz Milk butter cheese and lamb are more expensive here
Than in the UK, I hold an Irish passport and alas, I am not yet of pensionable age. As for trolling, I believe I wasn't the first to raise the spectre of Anzac expats being behind this "expansion"........so all in all, a post up to your usual standards my pseudo French Internet buddy

As long as people are playing the game of Rugby League does it matter where?

From big oaks do mighty crashes come