League Bids For Games Inclusion

[DIEHARD]

League Bids For Games Inclusion

Rugby League could debut at the Commonwealth Games if it wins its bid for inclusion.

The Rugby League International Federation has confirmed it would make its case for inclusion before the Commonwealth Games Federation's sport committee, with the aim of being included in the 2018 competition if the Gold Coast wins its bid to host the event.

The Gold Coast and its only rival, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, will present their bid books to the CGF in Malaysia next week, with the host city decision to be taken on November 11 in St Kitts and Nevis.

The British-based Rugby Football League is taking the lead in the sport's bid and the RLF's director of participation, David Gent, will present the proposal. Gent was previously involved in a successful bid by the International Canoe Federation to be added to the list of optional sports for the Commonwealth Games.

Australia captain Darren Lockyer and New Zealand counterpart Benji Marshall have made video messages to be presented as part of rugby league's pitch.

RLIF international development manager Tas Baitieri was optimistic.

"We have been working on it for the last six months and we have 16 countries lined up to participate," Baitieri said. ?Let's hope it goes our way -- we think we have a good showing."

The proposal is for either a sevens or nines competition to be added to the 11-day Games program, but the RLIF favours the nines version.

http://www.wearerugby.com/news/artic...ames-inclusion

[DIEHARD]

I back this 100% it would be amazing for our sport.

And I would support it and look forward to it.

It would do development of our sport a great deal of good around the world.

And we should certainly push for a Nines game and establish that as the Rugby League short version.

[Blazertaser]

How long will the games go for though? I doubt they will be 80 minute games