Date: 5/8/14

The AERL – Spanish Association of Rugby League – has launched their inaugural Rugby League 9’s competition to be played in the close-season.

The winter competition will also help develop new Spanish referees and maintain active players before the National League Championship re-starts in summer 2015.

Competing teams will be Irreductibles Mislata, Edetans Moncada, Alcoià Comtat (two sides), Valencian Warriors (two sides) along with the debut of Griffons Madrid.

Aitor Davila, General Secretary of AERL said: “It is essential for our development to play for the whole year and not just during summer. Nines offers this possibility and it is an ideal discipline to develop new players and referees in preparation for the Championship and Cup campaigns that went so well this season, in our first year.”

For the Spanish head coach, Darren Fisher: “It’s a great opportunity for players new and old to experience the excitement of a 9s competition. The fast pace of it will also improve our skills and be very effective in how we wish to develop as a national team. It’s going to be great for everyone involved.”