League making strides forward in Jamaica

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

HAVING TAKEN firm root in several of the island's inner-city communities, the newly-formed Jamaica Rugby League (JRL) continues to grow at a steady pace.

The involvement of Globe Insurance Company of Jamaica, which came on board at the beginning of this year's inaugural season, was officially announced in the form of a three-year, $4.3 million partnership deal on Tuesday at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston.

In addition to player insurance, the package covers equipment and gear, team branding, administration, course facilitation and other expenses.

With the programme now officially off the ground, there are several other plans underway to increase the scope and popularity of the sport for next season in what is thought to be a fertile climate for its development.

According to Paul Morris, director of JRL and chairman of the West Indies Rugby League Federation (WIRLF), the organisation has two major objectives.

TOTAL DEVELOPMENT

"We are looking to advance not just the sport itself, but also the infrastructure of the communities surrounding it. You can't play any sport on a competitive level without the proper infrastructure and part of our intention is to eventually develop the playing fields and the areas that the sport are played in," Morris said.

He pointed to the development of the playfield at Vauxhall High where efforts to set up an irrigation system were already underway.

Another goal of the organisation, according to Morris, was to encourage both amateur and professional teams from all over the world to not only play in Jamaica but possibly have facilities well developed enough for them to train here as well.

"We are actively going to seek teams to come here. They will bring hard currency with them and they will also hopefully develop our sport with us," he remarked.

The Australian National Police Rugby League team is expected to be among the first to visit, in February.

In the same month, top league officials, director of coach education, Ray Unsworth, and Geoff Berry, head of match officials training department, will also be in the island to run development courses.

Negotiations are also under way to host the Scottish national team in June and the United States Tomahawks in November.