NARL latest addition to US rugby matrix

Article posted by Coliseum, April 12^th, 2021

Image: NARugbyLeague

The new North American professional rugby league competition was launched on March 31^st, 2021 called the North American Rugby League (NARL). It will be a 14-team competition that will play its first round of games on the weekend of June 19^th in Brooklyn (New York, US) and on June 20th in Las Vegas (Nevada, US).

The ‘North American Rugby League’ stated that teams from across the United States and Canada will compete in three conferences – the East Coast Conference comprising Atlanta Rhinos, Boston Thirteens, Brooklyn Kings, Cleveland Rugby League, New York Rugby League, and Washington Cavalry. The West Coast Conference made up of Austin Armadillos, Las Vegas Blackjacks, Phoenix Venom, Portland Loggers, San Diego Swell, and San Francisco Rush.

The North American Rugby League (NARL) – instituted in 2021 – is the only professional rugby league club competition in North America. The league currently has 14 teams: 12 from the United States and two from Canada.

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Due to COVID-19 regulations in place, a Canada Cup will be played between Toronto Wolfpack and Ottawa Aces before both teams enter the East Coast Conference in 2022.

The ‘North American Rugby League’ further stated that all games will be broadcast on NARL’s exclusive online streaming partner, SportsFlick. In 2021, due to COVID-19 protocols in promulgation as the world still continues to bleed due to the virus variant, all games will be played in a ‘single venue or festival style’ that will see all teams in their respective Conference play in one facility on one day with no fans in attendance to ensure that everybody is safe.

NARL’s Head of Operations, Robert Curtis, exulted, “I’m delighted to introduce the North America Rugby League to rugby league fans around the world in what we firmly believe is the next big evolutionary step for Rugby League.”

Added Curtis, “The NARL is the culmination of years of research and market testing and has been designed to bring you the hardest hitting, fastest and most exciting sport on the planet. Matches begin this summer. It’s time to get excited about a new class of contact sport.”

He concluded by stating, “We see NARL as an addition to the existing rugby league structures in the United States and certainly do not see ourselves as a ‘rival’ or ‘rebel’ league. Our sole aim is to grow the fantastic sport of rugby league in North America and create a legacy for generations to come.”

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