Wales Rugby League Comes of Age

The perennial argument over the lack a rugby league Great Britain team is usually answered by potential, what wills and maybes. The Rugby Football League's perspective is the need to see non-English rugby league develop in both playing terms and governance of the game. Already the Rugby League European Federation is showing significant signs of developing into a genuine governing body, putting the Rugby League International Federation, supposedly the global governing body, to shame.

Now the Welsh Rugby League, secure in it's new Caerphilly base, has made a significant step forward and seriously put a dent in the Great Britain cause, at least for home games. Qualifying for the Four Nations has taken care of the playing side but the impact in other matters may more than match that achievement.

The WRL reports the securing of "a number of lucrative long term sponsorships over the next three years which has substantially increased the amount of revenue coming into the governing body. These sponsors will be announced over the coming months in the run up to the Four Nations." When factored in with the joint hosting of the Rugby League World Cup 2013 it is clear the development and growth of rugby league in non-heartland areas is entering somewhat of a golden age.