BY PHIL CAPLAN
GHANA is now eligible to take part in qualifying for a men’s berth in 2030 after becoming the 15th nation to be awarded IRL Full Member status.
They join Australia, Cook Islands, England, Fiji, France, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Serbia, South Africa, Tonga, Ukraine and Wales – and first since 2017.
RLFG president, Juliana Storey, said: “Full membership is a recognition of the hard work and commitment the Rugby League Federation Ghana has invested over the past few years. It opens new opportunities that will allow us to develop the game.
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“This status strengthens our ability to promote diversity and growth across our men’s, women’s, and youth leagues, ensuring rugby league is accessible and inclusive for all.”
She added: “Ghana becoming the first African nation outside South Africa to achieve full membership is an historic moment, and one that fills me with immense pride.
“I am honoured to have secured this accreditation during my stewardship as president and look forward to fully maximising the benefits.”
The upgrade caps a 13-year journey that began through a collaboration between sponsors Hector and Sara Giwa-McNeil and the British government which, in collaboration with European Rugby League, integrated the sport into its local leadership development initiatives and led to the creation of the governing body in 2014.
Within six years, Rugby League Federation Ghana went on to achieve affiliate membership and is the first national federation to achieve full membership under a new, more stringent policy introduced in 2019.
“On behalf of the IRL board, I would like to congratulate RLFG for this fantastic achievement,” said Grant.
“It is a fantastic story. Since the project began in 2012 the Ghanian rugby league community has gone from strength to strength and is an absolute testimony to what can be achieved with good governance.
“They have worked diligently over many years to grow their organisational infrastructure in a sustainable manner, and the scope of their activity is very impressive.“
He continued: “From schoolboys and schoolgirls in multiple areas of the country, right the way through to the national teams, domestic pathways exist and a true rugby league community has been created and nurtured.
“Everyone involved should be very proud of this accomplishment. RLFG is in many ways a pioneer and we look forward to seeing other aspirational full members follow in their footsteps.”
Ghana has had a 13-a-side club competition for six years. It introduced women’s rugby league in 2022 then youth – both boys and girls – in 2023.
Fourteen teams participated in the 2025 season, with over 430 registered players. In the period between July 2024-June 2025 RLFG’s numerous volunteers and trained schools’ educators delivered rugby league to approximately 2,000 individual participants, via over 400 training sessions across 30 schools, six clubs and four regions (Greater Accra, Volta, Ashanti and Northern Region).
RFLG also runs a series of community programmes such as the Nineka Youth Foundation’s Youth Empowerment Camp; beach rugby league-beach clean up drives; and breast and prostate cancer screening initiatives.
Ghana is also the first nation to achieve full compliance with the IRL’s technical education system. It has two IRL Level 1 coach educators, three IRL Level 1 match official educators – one of whom is a woman – seven accredited IRL Level 1 coaches and 11 IRL Level 1 match officials (five accredited, having completed their professional development modules; six certified, having attended the level 1 course).
Ghana has fielded national teams since 2019 when its men’s team first participated in the Middle East Africa Championship in Nigeria, then hosting the comp in 2022.
It fielded its first women’s team in 2023 and has an established domestic representative programme, with the Origins Cup and President’s Cup feeding the national selections.
“The resilience, passion, and belief in the vision of rugby league in Ghana made this historic milestone possible,” Storey added.
“On behalf of the entire RLFG team, we pledge to uphold the highest standards expected and to continue developing rugby league across Ghana and the wider African continent.
“We are committed to serving as a beacon of best practice, and as ambassadors who reflect the true values and spirit of the game, with the continued guidance and support of the IRL.”
Other than Tonga Rugby XIII, which replaced an expelled Tongan organisation in 2024 and whose president is now that country’s prime minister, Ghana becomes the first new IRL Full Member since Italy were accepted eight years previously.
RLFG’s application spanned two full years, and a number of other Full Member applications are being considered.
Among the next to tour Ghana are Cambridge University’s men’s side who will play three matches – against the national side, a President’s XIII and University of Ghana – when they fly out between 6-13 July 2026.
In addition, the tourists will also engage in developmental and community projects contributing to the ongoing growth of rugby league in Ghana.
CURLFC captain, Owen Hanford, noted: “Both the club and I are thrilled at the prospect of our upcoming tour to Ghana.
“We are not only eager to test our mettle against some of the most robust rugby league outfits the continent has to offer, but also to explore the vibrant culture that the country is steeped in.
We are seeking to forge a lasting relationship with the Rugby League Federation of Ghana, the team has been preparing diligently, countless hours have been poured into preparation for what promises to be one of the toughest fixtures in club history.”
He went on: “Most of all, we are keen to meet players, coaches and fans alike who share our passion for the sport and are excited to expand the reach of rugby league across borders.”
Riddick Alibah, captain of Ghana’s national team, the Leopards, welcomed the challenge: “Playing against a prestigious institution like Cambridge is a huge moment for us,” he said.
“We respect the history and discipline they bring to the game, but we’re ready to defend our turf with pride. This is more than a match — it’s a statement about how far the sport has come in our country.”
Marshall Nortey, technical director of RLFG, emphasized the broader vision: “This tour signifies more than just competition — it’s a step toward building international pathways and development opportunities for our players and coaches,” he noted.
“We are excited to host Cambridge and showcase the energy, talent, and potential Ghana has to offer. This is the kind of partnership that strengthens the foundation of rugby league in West Africa.”
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