The AERL - Spanish Association of rugby league - has announced the addition of three new teams for the 2015-16 season in Valencia, bringing the total in the region to 10.

Búfals l'Horta, Olimpic Alaquàs and Paterna Dragons will join the seven existing clubs: Valencian Warriors (2013), Alcoià Comtat (2013), Irreductibles Mislata (2013), Ciencias XIII Valencia (2013), Edetans Montcada (2014), Almogàvers XIII (2014) and Tigers Torrent (2014), in a third year of expansion.

Marc Jabaloyas, vice-president of AERL, said: “This is not only great news for Valencian Rugby League but also for the entire country. We hope to announce further progress in Andalusia where we are working very well with Miguel Mudarra, maybe with one club more there.”

The new Valencian teams will be developed after the success of coaching courses in the region that have seen a number of level one coaches qualified locally.

Bufals l'Horta will be developed by Cristian Bucciarelli, the former training director of Valencian Warriors; Luis Cucarella an ex-player and cup winner with the Warriors will oversee Olympic Alaquàs and Paterna Dragons will come under Matt Dulley, the general manager of Spanish national team.

Aitor Dávila, general manager of AERL noted: “Spain is reaping the benefits of the assistance provided by the RLEF coaching courses in 2013 and 2014 under Martin Crick. With this new extension we hope to form a competitive and attractive Development League in 2015-16 including a new Catalan club alongside Gossos Barcelona.”