REGIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE received a major boost recently with the news that current World Champion Club, Leeds Rhinos, has agreed to a twinning arrangement with a developing club in Kingston.

The Rhino's - also defending Super League Champions - have agreed to the global partnership with the Vauxhall Vultures, who are based at Vauxhall High School in the south east of the Jamaican capital.

The twinning will involve the Rhino's acting act as a mentor in best practice and administration, and help in the provision of gear and equipment. In time, the professional coaches and a delegation could come and work with their twin.

Jamaican and other West Indian / Caribbean athletes are ideally suited to the physical game that is rugby league and given the impact in the UK, of players with West Indian heritage, Ryan Bailey, Chev Walker, the Pryce brothers; provide the possibility of developing potential "new superstars".

The upcoming televising of the Super League in Jamaica and the Caribbean will provide the opportunity to expose those UK based players with West Indian heritage, and their clubs, to an enthusiastic audience here and promote the professional club and its branding internationally, as well as demonstrating and developing further good relations with the large West Indian communities within the recruitment areas of the UK clubs.

massive boost for Rugby

The Vultures are one of a number of clubs who have begun to play the Rugby League in Jamaica. They are currently involved in a six-month period of practice and training fixtures before commencing a domestic season. The Vultures themselves play in the Franklin Town / Windward Road area of South east Kingston.

Commenting on the arrangement, Chairman of the West Indies Rugby League Federation Paul Morris said: "To gain the support of the world club champions is a massive boost for the Rugby League in the West Indies and the link with the Rhinos, along with the continuing support of Richard Lewis and the Rugby Football League, will provide further momentum for our rapidly growing structures.

"Here in Jamaica we are currently seeing a healthy increase in the number of quality athletes seeking to play the game and this global support will add great credibility and profile. Also, our Rugby League match officials who received training from RFL staff earlier this year are making great progress and will be boosted by this great news".

Part of the new domestic Rugby League season in Jamaica will see a visit by the West Indies Test Side and the domestic and national team play fixtures against the touring Australian Police team in February 2006.

Leeds Rhinos defeated Australian Champions Canterbury Bulldogs in February 2005 in the Carnegie World Club Challenge to gain the title of World Club Champions.