Konrad Hurrell welcomes latest rugby league developments in Tonga

Drew Darbyshire 11 May 2020 4:17 PM

The International Rugby League expects to receive an application for membership from a new Tongan organisation imminently.

The IRL has confirmed that an expression of interest from Tonga Ma’a Tonga Rugby League (TMTRL) to be the recognised member of the international federation representing the Kingdom of Tonga has been received.

IRL are continuing to monitor events in Tonga – and Tongan centre Konrad Hurrell feels encouraged by the latest developments.

Hurrell said: “It is so encouraging to see the quality and the experience of the candidates for the new board.

“This process has been a fantastic opportunity for the whole Tongan rugby league community to have their say, elect a new and really talented board who will lead the whole of a united Tongan rugby league forward.”

IRL global operations manager Danny Kazandjian commented: “We understand that the active Tongan rugby league community has been working closely with one another to create an organisation that will best represent it, at home and internationally.

“The nomination of Sika Manu and Will Hopoate last week was a good sign of that cooperation, and it’s pleasing to see further signs of collaboration from the dozens of clubs in the kingdom.

“An implementation committee has worked to bring together the various elements of the Tongan rugby league community and will help facilitate an application by an organisation for IRL membership in due course.

“The IRL will then assess any application against our membership rules and will make the decision on whether to admit a Tongan member to our register. We appreciate the supportive correspondence from the Tongan government, which has committed to working closely with the IRL to restore Tonga to the international rugby league community.”

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