GAISF extends IRL membership

The Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) has extended International Rugby League’s (IRL) observer status for a further two years in a sign of rugby league’s continuing growth within the international sporting community.

IRL Global Operations Manager, Danny Kazandjian, has welcomed the extension and commented:

“Our membership of GAISF is really important, an integral part of the organisation’s conversion into a high capacity international federation.

“During the first two-year observer period the number of government recognised members increased by one third, the IRL undertook significant governance reform, modernised the organisation’s brand, agreed the first pillars of a ten-year international calendar and began assuming core international federation competencies for the first time, such as anti-doping and technical development.

“We recognise the importance of GAISF membership for the sport of rugby league and for the wider IRL membership. It also allows other sports and agencies to interact with rugby league in a way that previously wouldn’t have happened, given the recognition of our standards that GAISF provides.

“We are working closely with GAISF and our members to achieve full membership. This involves managing the different and often complex government requirements in place in every one of our member nations, as well as in those nations aspiring to become members.

“The process requires each member nation to satisfy the criteria of their own government and whilst that is sometimes arduous for some members, it is certainly a good discipline and is strengthening both their individual governance and access to resources, including all-important facilities to play and grow rugby league.”