International Rugby League Annual Report shows progress despite COVID-19

International Rugby League (IRL) has published is 2020 Annual Report and despite an almost entire loss of the playing programme, the international federation has maintained its progress.

The main agenda through 2020 was to work with members to support them through the global pandemic with help and advice and by retaining members annual grants. With a massive reduction of income for the IF, this required some financial re-adjustments across the organisation.

The report highlights several areas of progress including the continued roll out of the new digital platform, the establishment of a series of expert sub-committees that have increased the IF’s capacity and leadership in a number of key areas, the recognition by WADA of the IRL’s new anti-doping framework and bespoke education system and the establishment of an international match official pathway.

The Middle East Africa region continued its growth with the addition of two affiliate members for the very first time, Ghana and Nigeria. Currently, the MEA region has eleven members across the three categories, two full members, four affiliates following Cameroon and Morocco’s elevation early in 2021 and five observers.

Speaking about the achievements, IRL secretary general Danny Kazandjian said: “Clearly we have all been affected by and focussed upon the impact of COVID-19 and the welfare of our players, officials and supporters have been uppermost in our minds. However, it is really pleasing to note the progress made in areas of the organisation as we strive to raise our standards across all areas.

“The establishment of the expert advisory groups has ensured that the Board has the best available information to assist its decision making. These groups are making a real difference and I would like to thank the various members – many of whom are volunteers dedicating many hours - for their work.

“Our digital transformation project continues and is increasingly supporting members across all areas of their administration, in addition to modernising some of our core functions.

“In many ways, the outstanding highlight in 2020 was the manner in which our members met the significant challenges imposed by the pandemic head on; at first dealing with the shock but then wasting no time in educating themselves, reorganising, and in many cases recommencing local championships. They were able to achieve this by their diligent and detailed work and we commend them and thank them for this.”

The International Rugby League Annual Report 2020 can be read in full here: https://www.intrl.sport/annual-report/