State of the Nation: Tokelau

Rich Cowley - 22/12/2011

Tokelau is not the biggest place on planet Earth but if locals get their way they will be back playing rugby league officially in 2012. With a population of around fourteen hundred people scattered across 3 atolls and Tokelauan community's based in Australia and New Zealand, the idea of Tokelau competing again at international level are not so farfetched.

Rugby League is actually a popular game in Tokelau no doubt influenced by the NRL on TV and Tokelauans traveling back and forth from Australia and New Zealand. In the past the local government has found it hard to formalise the local structures for the game to prosper. Recent developments would say this is about to change.

In February 2012 Tokelau will hosting a Tokelau Leaders Symposium where all the Tokelau League Heads from Tokelau, New Zealand and Australia will come together to discuss and formalise the structure for Rugby League. It's envisaged from this symposium that rugby league will be able to officially form the Tokelau Rugby League Association (TRLA). The TRLA will be the driving force behind Tokelau's rugby league development and also allow the game to receive support from the Tokelau government.

In December 2011 the Tokelau National Sports Coordinator made contact with the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) to express their ambitions to come back to the rugby league fold. After the TRLA is formalised in February/March 2012 the first goal of the body is to obtain membership of the Asia Pacific Rugby League Confederation (APRLC).

In a boost to the sport locally a 10 day rugby league development workshop will be held on Tokelau in February 2012. With all this focus on Rugby League in Tokelau it is only a matter of time before we see Tokelauans punch above their weight in the international rugby league arena.

Tokelau will be among many nations eligible for the Rugby League Planet International Rugby League Club grant, originally formed as a way for the members of the www.rugbyleagueplanet.com forum to not just talk about growing our great game, but get hands on and assist well deserving nations, it now has limitless potential. It's hoped that the club can at least double the grant for the 2011 -2012 period. The Rugby League Planet International Rugby League Club are always on the lookout for new members and have kept the price at the affordable level of $10 AUS per month or $120 a year. However, one off donations are always welcome. If you want to help grow rugby league and gain voting rights for the grant, Click here to join up. Email webmaster@rugbyleagueplanet.com or check out the specific forum.