The federation was founded January 2003 following an initiative between Richard Lewis, Executive Chairman of Great Britain's Rugby Football League (RFL) and his French counterpart Jean Paul Ferre of the French Rugby League Federation (FFR).[3] The RLEF's first constitution was approved in January 2004 and the federation's first Board of Directors was elected.[3] This first Board of Directors consisted of Jean Paul Ferre as Chairman and Richard Lewis as Deputy Chairman, with Nigel Wood and Nicolas Larrat being the other Board members.[3] Representatives for Morocco, Italy, Serbia, Russia, Lebanon, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales attended.[3] Russia became a full member of the RLEF, joining Britain and France, and the RLIF soon after.[3]
At the time of its foundation, the RLEF placed a "particular emphasis on generating development funding within each country".[3] Historically, much of the development work conducted in Europe had been funded by the RFL.[4] Following the profitable 2008 World Cup, the RFL and RLEF prepared to bid for funds to enhance their activities.[4]
In December 2009, Kevin Rudd, a former Scotland rugby league international, stepped down as Executive Officer of the RLEF after more than five years in the post.[5] RLEF Chairman Richard Lewis stated that Rudd "has done an outstanding job and created a platform, structure and competitions framework that can take us into the future".[5] Rudd was succeeded by Danny Kazandjian.[6] Kazandjian had previously been a key figure in the establishment of rugby league in Lebanon and had led the RLEF's development drive in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions as Director of Development for the Euro-Med region.[6]
In 2011, the RLEF introduced two sub-branches – Americas Rugby League and Middle East-Africa Rugby League – to further develop rugby league in those regions.[2]
In 2021, The RLEF was renamed to the European Rugby League in line with the RLIF's renaming to the International Rugby League.[7]
Currently eleven nations are full members of the federation; there are also fifteen affiliate members and nineteen official observers. Full members are entitled to a greater proportion of voting rights and to become members of the Rugby League International Federation.
In order to become an associate member, a nation must meet the following criteria:
Implementation of a constitution and rules that commit the governing body to acting in the best interest of rugby league, throughout the whole of their country.[3]
An administrators, match officials and coach education strategy.[3]
The ERL stipulates that continued associate and full membership of the federation is subject to a check every two years to ensure that the minimum criteria are still being met.[3]
