RL in Panama and Cuba?

[kingboy]

I was just checking the "latest" RLIF rankings according to Wikipedia and in the sub-category of unranked nations noticed that Panama and Cuba were listed.

Here's the link - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RLIF_World_Rankings#Unranked_with_.27Official_Observer_Status.27

Nothing on there about the progress of RL in either nation, does anyone on here know anything about what's going on?

[sportsmad]

yeah its because theyre brand new member nations to the rugby league community

Foundation Year - 2009
International Team - Cuba Rugby League

Top level domestic competition - None

History - Cuba are a new Rugby League playing nation and continues the trend of nations taking up the sport.

In early 2009 Cuba were unranked in world rankings but were awarded official observer status by the Rugby League International Federation for the first time.

At present very little information is available on Rugby League developments in Cuba. It is assumed that if Rugby League does start up it will be via expats living in Cuba or with the assistance of the Rugby League International Federation. Jamaica Rugby League would be the most likely to assist with any rugby league development in Cuba due Jamaica's proximity to Cuba.

The recent success of the Rugby League World Cup will provide further funds to develop the sport throughout the West Indies. The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) will now have more funds to invest in development officers and continue assisting rugby league's growth. With the right support many more nations including Cuba could possibly be involved in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup qualifiers.

Foundation Year - 2009
International Team - Panama Rugby League
Top level domestic competition - None
History - Panama are a new Rugby League playing nation and continues the trend of nations taking up the sport.

In early 2009 Panama were unranked in world rankings but were awarded official observer status by the Rugby League International Federation.

The recent success of the Rugby League World Cup will provide further funds to develop the sport throughout the world. The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) will now have more funds to invest in development officers and continue assisting rugby league's growth. With the right support many more nations including Panama could possibly be involved in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup qualifiers.

[kingboy]

Cheers sportsmad. I guessed that both were in the early stages of, just wanted to know a bit more about what was going on in either nation.

Nice to see two countries with pretty much no history of playing any form of rugby taking up league.

[deludedpom]

I've seen bits about Cuba before but this is the first I've heard of Panama taking an interest in RL.