Quota players explained
Quota players is a term in sport referring to the limit of foreign players on a domestic team.
Rugby league
Professional and semi-professional rugby league clubs playing in the British rugby league system (i.e., the Super League, Championship, and League 1) are restricted in the number of foreign players permitted in their squad. Since 2021, this is a maximum of seven 'non-Federation trained players', which is defined as players who did not play rugby league for three seasons within the European Rugby League prior to the age of twenty-one.[1]
History
As of 2019, Super League clubs were permitted to have a maximum of five foreign passport holders in their squad. Additionally, they were permitted no more than seven non-Federation trained players. Passport holders from any EU nation or a Kolpak nation were not considered foreign passport holders.[2]
For the Canadian-based Toronto Wolfpack, American, Canadian, and Jamaican players do not count towards the foreign quota.
After the Widnes Vikings went into administration in 2019, Krisnan Inu, Wellington Albert, and Adam Tangata were exempt from the overseas quota for the duration of their next contract after they were released by Widnes.
Previously, the maximum number of foreign players for each Super League club was three. Harlequins RL were permitted four quota players as they are considered to be a non-heartland team. The Welsh team Crusaders is allowed 14 overseas players and French side Catalans Dragons are allowed eight non-French players. Championship teams were only allowed one quota player, aside from Toulouse who have five foreign players.
2023 Super League quota players
| Club | Foreign quota players |
|---|
|  Mahe Fonua, Jake Mamo, Jacob Miller
 Kenny Edwards, Bureta Faraimo, Suaia Matagi, Albert Vete |
| Adam Keighran, Tyrone May, Mitchell Pearce
Manu Ma'u, Sio Siua Taukeiaho |
| Chris McQueen, Kevin Naiqama, Nathan Peats, Luke Yates
Sebastine Ikahihifo, Tuimoala Lolohea, Esan Marsters |
| Jake Clifford, Kane Evans, Tex Hoy
 Joe Lovodua
Ligi Sao, Carlos Tuimavave
 Chris Satae |
| Lachlan Coote, Rhys Kennedy, Kane Linnett, Tom Opacic, Matt Parcell
Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Sauaso Sue |
| Blake Austin, Rhyse Martin, Aidan Sezer
David Fusitu'a, Sam Lisone, Zane Tetevano
 Nene Macdonald |
| Tom Amone, John Asiata, Ricky Leutele, Ben Nakubuwai, Kai O'Donnell
Ava Seumanufagai
Edwin Ipape |
| Brodie Croft, Ken Sio, Sam Stone, Shane Wright
King Vuniyayawa
 Tim Lafai |
| William Hopoate, Joey Lussick, Sione Mata'utia, Curtis Sironen
James Bell
Konrad Hurrell, Agnatius Paasi |
| Samisoni Langi, Kelepi Tanginoa, Jorge Taufua, Jai Whitbread
Renouf Atoni, Kevin Proctor
Mason Lino |
| Josh Drinkwater, Matthew Dufty, Peter Mata'utia, Josh McGuire, Paul Vaughan
Sam Kasiano, Thomas Mikaele |
| Cade Cust, Kaide Ellis, Jai Field, Bevan French, Abbas Miski
Patrick Mago, Willie Isa |
| |
|---|
Australian-born Lachlan Lam of the Leigh Leopards is considered a Federation-trained player as he played rugby league as a child in Wigan during his father Adrian's playing career.[3] [4]
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Jackson. William. 8 July 2020. What the RFL's new overseas quota rules mean for every Super League club. Hull Daily Mail. 19 June 2023.
- Web site: Shaw. Matthew. 11 July 2019. Overseas Quota – A Beginner's Guide. Total Rugby League. 19 June 2023.
- Web site: Bower. Aaron. 21 September 2022. Leigh Centurions hopeful of Lachlan Lam quota boost thanks to junior background in Wigan. ExaminerLive. 19 June 2023.
- Web site: Darbyshire. Drew. 3 October 2022. Adrian Lam on Leigh promotion, 2023 goals, quota spots & reshuffling squad. Love Rugby League. 19 June 2023.
