Tags: code13 | Malta | MRL | rugby league

The Malta Rugby League (MRL), an Official Observer of the Rugby League European Federation (RLEF), has launched a search across British shores for rugby league players eligible to represent Malta.

RLEF Malta Development Officer Anthony Micallef was at Red Hall, Leeds today and joined Gateshead Thunder prop Chris Parker, Widnes St Maries prop and Malta dual rugby international Paul Borg and Maltese student rugby league player Vince Stivala to begin the search for eligible players to join one of Europe’s newest nations on the international stage.

Malta vice captain Chris Parker (pictured with Micallef), on behalf of players in the engage Super League and the Championship, called on all eligible players to make contact with the fledgling rugby league nation.

The Gateshead Thunder prop said “Making my international debut earlier this year was one of the proudest and most significant moments in my career”

“I’m looking forward to meeting back up with the Maltese squad and building from our last win”

Widnes St Maries prop Paul Borg, who made his debut for Malta in October, said “Players like me are getting to the age of moving on and Maltese Rugby League is still in its infancy”

“We want to hear from anyone that is eligible to represent Malta”

Malta XIII utility Vince Stivala, a recent fresher at Leeds University joined national team players at Red Hall to herald the search for Malta eligible players to make contact with the Malta Rugby League (MRL), saying “Representing your country is the greatest honour for a rugby player and the opportunity would exist for players based across Britain and those Maltese players studying throughout universities also”

Stivala added “There is a lot of work taking place in Malta to see us (Malta) be in a position to participate in qualifiers for the next Rugby League World Cup”

“I would ask any eligible players to get in contact with the Malta Rugby League and get involved with the development of rugby in the Maltese Islands”
Micallef said “We have a great number of Australian based players and a smaller number of players scattered across Britain from the county leagues through to the Championship and engage Super League”

“We’re asking everyone to assist in getting the word out to players, coaching staff and volunteers that could be eligible for Malta”

Malta head coach Joe Grima said “Overseas based players will be just as important as the domestic based players and we need to make contact with those players now”.

Grima, assistant coach to Ricky Stuart at the Sharks, has previously had the likes of Hull KR skipper Michael Vella as a part of Malta’s back room staff.

For more information, visit www.malteserugbyleague.com or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 00-356-79812699.