Rugby League
In Australia, Rugby League is considered as the third most popular sport and second most popular football code behind Australian Rules football.
In 2009, Rugby League even had the highest aggregate television ratings of any sport in Australia.
Rugby League is particularly popular in New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory. This accounts for more than half the Australian population.
The Australian Rugby League (ARL) is the country's governing body for rugby league football.
It is made up of state bodies, including the New South Wales Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League.
The National Rugby League is the premier professional competition in the country and is made up of sixteen teams based in:
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- Victoria
- the Australian Capital Territory
- and New Zealand
The NRL also runs a National Youth Competition for 17-19 year olds.