Jamaica Rugby Union in need of $500,000 for team expenses

WITH A day to go before the start of the Caribbean Rugby 15s Championships, the Jamaica Rugby Union is still asking for help with its national team.

It was disclosed yesterday, at a press conference held at the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) offices in Kingston, that the Rugby Union is still short of at least $500,000 to help with the team's accommodation, transportation and food - among other expenses.

Public Relations Officer Rohan Stewart said though the International Rugby Board contributed ?10,000 to help with the visiting teams, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, there were other expenses to take care of.

Jamaica's team manager, Churine Crossman-Smith, also asked for assistance for her team.

"We have a good team, but we are still not getting the support of corporate Jamaica, not even the prime minister," Crossman-Smith said.

History to be made

"I hope corporate Jamaica will come out and support us because history will be created at the end of the championships," was how she referred to Jamaica's likely victory.

In his plea for assistance, chairman of the JRU, Jacobs Thompson, sent a message to the Government, saying, "we are helping to promote sports/tourism in Jamaica."

Thompson did, however, admit it was difficult to market rugby in Jamaica.

He thanked the JDF for stepping to help cut their budget in kind, and the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) in providing them with three months' payment up front.

FIXTURES

TOMORROW: Jamaica vs Guyana

SATURDAY: Trinidad vs Guyana

OCTOBER 2: Jamaica vs Trinidad

All matches are at 4:00 p.m. at the University of the West Indies grounds.