Monteith pleased with green light for national programme’s restart

THE JAMAICA Rugby League’s national programme has been given the green light from the Government to resume, following an absence of nearly two years.

This latest news has pleased Romeo Monteith, Jamaica’s Reggae Warriors head coach.

“It is indeed a massive boost being granted permission for the national programme to resume. In this, a World Cup year, we can at least get our elite domestic players proper games and better preparation,” said Monteith in a recent interview with The Gleaner.

According to Monteith, the plan is to get some 50 male players to resume training immediately.

“We have 50 male players who we want to start training no later than the end of February as there is a lot to work towards, with the appearances in Tampa, USA, in May in the USA 9s and a Test match versus the USA national team in September, and of course, the Rugby League World Cup from October to November,” said Monteith.

According to Monteith, the last two years have been difficult for the players, with many suffering both physically and mentally.

The resumption of the national programme, Monteith explained, would also include the women’s teams.

“We also want to get 50 elite female players and athletes as well to form the backbone of this programme as a recent announcement of a 16-team Women’s World Cup in France in 2025 means a massive opportunity. We have a lot of catching up to do with the Canadians, Brazilians and the USA Women’s programme,” said Monteith.