The Maltese Rugby League Association (MRLA) was formed in April 2004 at the Russian Club in Strathfield, Australia.

The founding directors were Mr George Tonna, Mr Michael Borg, Mr Matthew Smith, Mr Joe Grima and Mr Anthony Micallef.

The MRLA Board of Directors implemented the mission statement, ‘to promote and develop Rugby League within the Maltese community’.

Along with an eye catching logo featuring the Knight which would become the moniker of the National Team, the MRLA selected from a series of potential designs, a jersey design that woul d rather be adopted long term.

The jersey design, still in use today, features the Maltese Cross emblazoned in red and white across the jersey front.

A website was designed and maintained by Mr Steve Birchall. This website served as a key mechanism in keeping up to date the many supporters of Maltese Rugby League.

Mr Mark Sultana and Mr David Axisa joined the MRL Board of Directors shortly before Malta’s inaugural fixture against the British Defence Forces in September 2004 at Melita Stadium, Sydney. Malta won its inaugural fixture 78-0.

Paul Galea and Rohan Spiteri (pictured above right) were among the Malta Knights’ pioneering players. Paul Galea scored five tries on debut.

Malta’s debut captain was ex Parramatta Eel Dallas Weston. Weston suffered a long term injury in the match and the National Team captaincy was handed to ex Cronulla Shark Ben Sammut.

The MRLA introduced Chev. Sydney JP Borg as its inaugural Patron, along with Mr Mario Fenech and Ms Candice Falzon as ambassadors of the MRLA.

The MRLA’s founding sponsor was Penrith Subaru, later to be taken over by Camsons Pty Ltd.

In 2005, the same year as Malta’s inaugural participation in Sevens Rugby League by way of the Orara Valley Sevens, the MRLA staged the first ever game of Rugby League on Maltese soil with a friendly international against the England Lionhearts at Marsa’s Matthew Micallef St John Athletic Stadium.

Malta won 36-6 with a crowd of 500 people in attendance and Mr Ashley Klein was the match referee.

In 2006, the MRLA introduced the Kumitat Nazzjonali ta Rugby League f’Malta (KNRLM), a Malta based committee of representatives to oversee Rugby League activity in Malta.

The founding members of the KNRLM were Mr Nikki Vella, Mr John Micallef Moreno and Mr Andrew Zammit Manduca. A later addition was Mr Simon Sullivan.

In 2007, Maltese Rugby League was represented for the very first time at an official Rugby League European Federation (RLEF) meeting – as an Official Observer, in London, England.

In 2008, the MRL and KNRLM were brought together to form the newly recognised Malta Rugby League (MRL).

Along with the rebranding in 2008, the MRL – in collaboration with the RLEF appointed Mr Anthony Micallef as the MRL’s Operations Manager and for the RLEF’s Malta Development Officer.

In 2009, the MRL hosted the Scotland U18s and Gateshead U18s to a training camp in Malta, before a friendly international against the Malta XIII.

In 2009, the MRL opened a portfolio of Official Partners that includes Code13 Sports Media as its Official Web Partner – the same company that brings to you the official website of the MRL; www.malteserugbyleague.com.