A host of delegates begin arriving in St Helens and Leeds today in preparation for six days of seminars and practical work on match officiating and coaching. In all, 21 nations will be represented as part of the Rugby League European Federation training and education portal, the courses supporting a new EU initiative, the ‘European Week of Sport.’ The intention is to launch the RLEF level 2 qualifications ahead of next year’s educator courses which will be held in six mentor nations; Wales, Ukraine, France, Czech Republic, Italy and Serbia.

The match officials course will be hosted by Super League club St Helens in partnership with the local referees society and Cowley International College.

“The work being done can only bode well for the future of the game and is a true reflection of the commitment of the European Federation,” noted St Helens and Merseyside Rugby League Development Manager, Steve Leonard. “During their stay here the delegates will be using our state of the art training facilities at Cowley International College and I’m sure they will enjoy their time within an institution steeped in rugby league history. I was lucky enough to work with the RLEF in the Czech Republic and saw how much these kind of workshops and training camps engage and enthuse new participants, especially.”

The MO delegates, who will take in Super League games at Saints and Warrington, will study modules including; team work and decision making, game management, applied laws and player management.

Leeds Rhinos Foundation is set to welcome 34 coaches from across Europe whose work will include; advanced core skills, team organisation and strategies, game sense skills and winning the ruck in attack and defence.

LRF Rugby League Development Manager Leon Crick commented: “We take great pride in our coach development programme that gives coaches from our ambassador clubs support and access to the latest training techniques and methods and are delighted to be able to extend this across Europe. It is part of an ongoing partnership with the RLEF which will allow us to share best practice, offer support and welcome coaches from the continent on a regular basis.” 

Crick added: “We are very fortunate to have the full support of Brian McDermott and his coaching team who will be delivering sessions to the delegates throughout their stay at the Kirkstall Academy, home of the Leeds Rhinos. There is great potential for rugby league in Europe and we are determined to play our part in its growth.”

The visitors will also be watching the Super 8s Qualifiers game between Leeds and Batley Bulldogs at Headingley Carnegie stadium on Friday as part of the visit, with tickets provided by the foundation, as well as observing a full Rhinos training session.

The RLEF training and education portal is supported by the EU’s Erasmus+ programme, which is providing €466.000 funding, with the RLIF providing a further €158.000.

Pictured: coach delegates convene in London for the launch of the RLEF Technical Strategy, May 2011