Western Cape RL Association gains formal recognition
6th May 2013South Africa’s Western Cape Rugby League Association has been formally recognised, becoming a member of the Western Cape Sports Council .
“We are excited to have WP Rugby League as part of our membership,” Elton Davids of the Western Cape Sports Council commented. “Sports Council's are duty bound to acknowledge various codes, recognize their positive role in society while contributing to making this an active and winning nation.”
The Western Cape has a rich rugby league history having hosted Russia as well as the Brisbane Broncos in the past and having a vibrant club structure that plays regular games.
“This is an important step in the path for SARL to get recognition from SASCOC, and the Western Cape Rugby League Association is proud to be the first province to get accreditation,” said Denzil Watson, Chairmen of WPRLA. “The sport has grown in leaps and bounds in the Western Cape and provides players from all walks of life to meet on the field and compete.”
Several students from the WPRLA have been selected for the national team participating in the 2013 Rugby League Student World Cup in Yorkshire in July.
Kobus Botha, President of SARL, claimed this was a “significant milestone” for the sport in the country adding, “SARL is busy working closely with all the provincial sporting associations to get recognition. Although played internationally at the highest level, and being one of the oldest professional sporting codes in the world, rugby league has been facing stiff political opposition to getting recognized by the South African Sports Commonwealth and Olympic Committee.”