GAISF (Sport Accord) Part 2

[flyingking]

The two years since International Rugby League (IRL) was granted Observer status at GAISF (Global Association of International Sports Federations, formerly known as Sport Accord) have nearly elapsed. The two years were granted to allow IRL the opportunity to work towards Full Membership, which would open up the possibility of the sport being included in the Commonwealth Games or Mediterranean Games.

There is a slightly disturbing report from the latest GAISF meeting https://gaisf.sport/ipsc-and-irf-join-gaisf-observer-programme-as-council-meets-in-lausanne/ which is disturbing for what it does not say. It says that six federations have had their Observer status extended, but IRL is not one of the six mentioned.

This indicates one of three scenarios;

1 IRL has had its Observer status revoked

2 IRL has been upgraded to a Full member

3 The decision about IRL has been deferred to a later meeting, (IRL was granted Observer status in January 2018, so the decision does not need to be made just yet).

Does anyone know which of the three has occurred?

To become a full member requires the sport being played in 40 countries where the individual National Olympic Committee recognises the national federation as being in charge of that sport in that country. IRL currently lists 64 nations where Rugby League is played, but a number will still be lacking NOC recognition It also requires not to be in conflict with existing members. The sport is growing internationally with more matches and competitions than ever before. In the last two years, we have had successful World Cups (playing wise if not spectator wise) for the Men, Women, Wheelchair, Emerging Nations and 9s. In 2021, we will host our most diverse World Cups in history, welcoming new teams such as Jamaica, Brazil and one of Greece/Serbia. The sport is making progress, so if IRL does not yet meet the 40 nation NOC backed criteria, there is hope it will be able to do so in future.

Please could any contributions to this post refrain from discussing any other sport governing bodies, the topic is what is happening  to IRL's application to join GAISF

[Pulga]

The 2nd IRL podcast which came out last week hosted by Michael Carbone had Danny K from the RLEF/IRL speaking about the subject.

Off the top of my head they're up to mid-20's for members with government recognition with 3 or so pending.

If I were to guess it would be that nothing has happened because they have until January '20 for the two years to have elapsed.

 

https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xMDNmZmM0L3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz&episode=NzVhZmRkN2UtZmYxOS01MjQ3LTRmZGQtYjY0ZDRkNmNkY2I2

[Boomer Bang Wool]

So with full membership comes Olympic inclusion or how does it work? 

[Chamey]

41 minutes ago, Boomer Bang Wool said:

So with full membership comes Olympic inclusion or how does it work? 

If GAISF Observer status is the start mark, full member inclusion is mile 1, Olympic inclusion is about 49 miles down the road.

[Scubby]

59 minutes ago, Chamey said:

If GAISF Observer status is the start mark, full member inclusion is mile 1, Olympic inclusion is about 49 miles down the road.

But it would allow new member nations to apply for government funding as a recognised sport, which many can't at the minute.

[Futtocks]

7 minutes ago, Scubby said:

But it would allow new member nations to apply for government funding as a recognised sport, which many can't at the minute.

And could also provide a degree of protection from another sport that might wish to hold it back or stamp it out.

[flyingking]

Olympics there is minimal chance, because it would need to displace a more popular but broadly similar sport 

It is the level below the Olympics that Rugby League will have opportunities, the continental, linguistic and specialist multi sport events is what IRL needs to target. Inclusion in the Commonwealth Games, Mediterranean Games and possibly the World Combat Games are all possibilities. 

However, the difficulty will still be in displacing the existing similar sport. In my opinion, Rugby League's best chance of getting into these type of events lies with Wheelchair form of the game. There is no question of which version of the game for athletes using a wheelchair, presents the better spectacle. Especially as events like The Commonwealth Games and The World Games are increasingly integrating disability sport into their events. 

I will declare an interest here, I am the sports reporter for www.theworldgames.org and write about all 37 spectacular non Olympic sports that are eligible to take part in The World Games. As soon as IRL gains Full Membership, I will be emailing my colleague, responsible for determining the sports program for future editions, videos of Wheelchair Rugby League games and pressing the case for inclusion. 

[RigbyLuger]

This is  not a L v U discussion, but having seen Wheelchair Rugby at London 2012, and WRL, one actually looks like rugby and the other doesn't.

We really should do more to promote that, PDRL etc.

[Oxford]

2 hours ago, flyingking said:

Olympics there is minimal chance, because it would need to displace a more popular but broadly similar sport 

Like Netball and Basketball you mean?

[PrimroseAndBlue]

Let's say they get full member status...could this have an effect on the idiotic situation in Greece?

[Futtocks]

3 hours ago, RigbyLuger said:

This is  not a L v U discussion, but having seen Wheelchair Rugby at London 2012, and WRL, one actually looks like rugby and the other doesn't.

We really should do more to promote that, PDRL etc.

True but the Olympic version of Wheelchair Rugby is very popular with the USA, so we'd have to get them (and other leading nations) to switch to the RL version. I'd say it was extremely unlikely they'd want to change a well-established sport that they enjoy.

[Pulga]

2 hours ago, PrimroseAndBlue said:

Let's say they get full member status...could this have an effect on the idiotic situation in Greece?

Rumour is the guy causing all the trouble that was running RL through the Greek pentathlon has been booted for embezzlement...

[gingerjon]

16 hours ago, RigbyLuger said:

This is  not a L v U discussion, but having seen Wheelchair Rugby at London 2012, and WRL, one actually looks like rugby and the other doesn't.

We really should do more to promote that, PDRL etc.

I really like wheelchair rugby - Olympic version - but I agree, it's not remotely a wheelchair version of rugby. It is a fine sport in its own right and one I always enjoy watching when it's on. I was quite surprised when I first saw wheelchair RL by just how close to league it is.

[latchford albion]

On Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at 16:40, Oxford said:

Like Netball and Basketball you mean?

Exactly like that.  Basketball is an Olympic sport and netball is played in the Commonwealth Games.

[Oxford]

9 hours ago, latchford albion said:

Exactly like that.  Basketball is an Olympic sport and netball is played in the Commonwealth Games.

So Netball is not an Olympic sport?

That can't be right surely, the middle class like it!

[RigbyLuger]

2 hours ago, Oxford said:

So Netball is not an Olympic sport?

That can't be right surely, the middle class like it!

It's hardly played outside the Commonwealth. Look at the countries involved in the last, hyped, World Cup.

[Oxford]

2 minutes ago, RigbyLuger said:

It's hardly played outside the Commonwealth. Look at the countries involved in the last, hyped, World Cup.

I've always felt that Netball, appologies to any folllowers on here, was a game invented by people who thought women couln't handle the real thing. It just smacks of sexism by design. So I wouldn't be the person to ask any questions about who, why, when or what. Though my original point about the middle class would explain why it was hyped as you put it.

If acceptance by the GAISF  is as crucial as it appears it's hardly surprising our attempts at inclusion met with opposition.

[Oxford]

On 30/10/2019 at 11:08, flyingking said:

Please could any contributions to this post refrain from discussing any other sport governing bodies, the topic is what is happening  to IRL's application to join GAISF

I don't think that can happen but I do undestand why you asked it.

I've tried to avoid the obvious and in some ways that has helped more.