Federation confirms European Nations Cup for 2005 (From Warrington Guardian)

Federation confirms European Nations Cup for 2005

Rugby League's European Nations Cup will be staged for the third successive year this autumn.

Delegates at the Rugby League European Federation meeting in London today (Friday) confirmed that the tournament will be played and that the final will be held on the weekend of November 5-6.

The delegates also discussed the possibility of seeking funding from the European Community to assist with coach education, training of match officials and community development programmes.

Richard Lewis, the European Federation Chairman and Executive Chairman of the Rugby Football League, said: "We have reached an exciting stage in the development of the sport within Europe.

"Today's meeting was very positive and it was pleasing to hear about the increasing number of countries throughout Europe where Rugby League has been officially recognised as a sport.

"While we were able to confirm that the successful European Nations Cup will be played again, we are still at the detailed planning stage as far as other projects are concerned.

"There are some very exciting plans in the pipeline and we expect to be in a position to make more announcements in the weeks to come.

"It was a well attended meeting and I am very encouraged at the progress our sport is making throughout Europe".

Representatives from: England, France, Georgia, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Lebanon, Morocco, Serbia, Scotland and Wales attended the meeting.