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The Rugby League European Federation (RLEF) is the umbrella body for Rugby League playing nations in Europe and the Northern Hemisphere. It oversees and co-ordinates the development of the sport in all its member countries and those neighbouring organisations that choose to link to the RLEF. The RLEF supports the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF).
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England, France and Russia are currently the full member countries, which entitles them to a greater proportion of voting rights and to become members of the International Federation (RLIF).

The RLEF has a number of associate member countries, such as; Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Serbia and Lebanon.

The RLEF also has a number of Official Observers, such as; Germany, Estonia, Czech Republic, Morocco, Malta, Italy, Greece, Latvia, Ukraine, Portugal, Norway & Sweden.

The criteria for Associate Membership are as follows:

To become an Associate Members of the RLEF each country must fulfill the following minimum criteria:

* Implementation of a Constitution and Rules that commit the Governing Body to acting in the best interest of Rugby League throughout the whole of their country.
* Production of an annual financial report.
* Running a League with at least 4 teams.
* Implementation of a junior development programme.
* The production of a Business Development Plan outlining an organisations future aims, including aims to find part funding for staff positions.
* A communications strategy.
* An administrators, match officials and coach education strategy.

Full and Associate Membership will have to be able to maintain the above minimum criteria and a control will be made every two years to ensure."

The current RLEF Board consists of:

* Richard lewis (Chairperson)
* Nicolas Larrat ( Vice Chairperson)
* Gary Tasker
* Jean Alain Rives


The Federation was formed in January 2003 following an initiative between Richard Lewis of the Rugby Football League and Jean Paul Ferre of the French Federation.

The Rugby League European Federation approved the constitution and elected the first Board of Directors in January 2004.
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Jean Paul Ferre was elected President/Chairman, Richard Lewis Deputy Chairman and other Board members were Nigel Wood and Nicolas Larrat.

Representatives attended from Morocco, Italy, Serbia, Russia Lebanon, Ireland, Scotland, Wales.

Particular emphasis was on generating development funding within each country.

Russia quickly became full members of the RLEF and the RLIF

RLEF Site