Jamaica Rugby League making gains
Published:Saturday | November 27, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer
Jamaica's first international Rugby League win on Thursday, November 18, will prove a significant milestone in the development of the sport locally, and as the country continues to prepare for the rugby world cup qualifiers that begin in October 2011, Jamaica Rugby League Development officer Romeo Monteith believes.
Jamaica's Rugby League team, playing for the Atlantic Cup in Jacksonville, Florida, last week Thursday, defeated Canada 32-12 for their first ever international victory. Two days earlier, Jamaica went down 36-26 in a closely fought contest with Atlantic Cup winners, the United States.
Monteith describes the win by the team, comprised of players based in the United Kingdom and the local Rugby League, as a big deal.
Milestone
"The win is a significant milestone in the history of the sport locally," he said. "The victory will help grow the sport here in Jamaica, and it makes the players believe in themselves and what they can achieve on the international stage."
He also thinks the win and the gains the team has made in recent times give the players added confidence heading into the next world cup qualifiers set for October next year. Jamaica play the United States, South Africa and possibly Canada and Japan as it attempts to qualify for the Rugby League World Cup, to be staged in the United Kingdom in 2013.
In August, the Jamaican team played in the Floodlit 9's in the UK and beat Hull FC, the defending champions, and acquitted them-selves well against other teams in the competition, including the Wigan Warriors. During that tour the team also took on the British Community Lions, a team comprised of the best amateur players in the United Kingdom. The Community Lions earlier this year travelled to South Africa where they beat the South African national team.
These gains, Monteith explains, are as a result of the hard work put in by players - both local and UK-based - and the unwavering support of their sponsors Virgin Atlantic, Kukri Sports and Globe Insurance.