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Super Cronk
14-12-05, 03:19 PM
Ja Rugby League goes 'Global'... insurance company to pump $4.3M into league: jamaicaobserver.com

THE Jamaica Rugby League Association (JRLA), keen on developing the sport, has partnered with Global Insurance Company of Jamaica for three years.

Global will sponsor the Rugby League to the tune of $4.3 million over those years, paying particular attention to "player protection, team branding, administrative, and other expenses," the general manager of Global Insurance, Michael Gayle, said yesterday at a press conference.

"We are also facilitating the training of match officials by providing multi-media meeting rooms where training seminars will be held," Gayle added.

Since rugby league footballers had to be insured, Gayle said Global will cover the association and all affiliated member clubs and teams for "public liability and players' personal accident insurance through a group insurance policy".

Yesterday, Global handed over a cheque of $1,433,000 to JRLA, which the insurance company said was its "first instalment", at Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston.

The Global general manager said the insurance company was drawn to the rugby league because of the community-based development of the sport.

Meanwhile Director of Jamaica's Rugby League, Paul Morris, who also serves as Chairman of the West Indies Rugby League Federation, described the sport as "new and exciting" and one of the "fastest-growing sport in the world".

He said Jamaica boasted 64 professional and semi-professional players plying their trade in the United Kingdom.
Begun in 2004, the JRLA has established roots in Duhaney Park, Olympic Gardens and Vauxhall communities, said Morris, in keeping with its working-class base and catering to those persons who might not have had the benefit of traditional high schooling.

Morris said that next year the JRLA has arranged to play Australia in February, Scotland in June, and the United States and South Africa in November.

"We don't just want foreign and amateur athletes from Jamaica, but foreign and amateur athletes in Jamaica," he said, pointing to the day when semi-professional rugby will be a reality in Jamaica with some 30 teams participating.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Jamaica Rugby League Association William Masterton said the game had to have the support of the community as part of the long-term strategy.
He said the association was "transparent and cooperative", geared towards the wholesale development of players.

Five clubs took part in the rugby premier league - champions Vauxhall Vultures, along with Olympic Angels, Duhaney Park Sharks, the Jamaica Defence Force, and the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

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I highlighted the best parts. But its some great news for international RL.

Dakink
14-12-05, 03:37 PM
Great news - check the International Links section for the Jamaican League Web site.

Another small nation that is doing things the right way - Like the Cook Islands.

Ohh and Cronk I Love the new sig...;-)

DIEHARD
14-12-05, 03:52 PM
Absolutely fantastic news for the JRLA.

This will really help cement them on the domestic front along with continued foreign help.

One of the most important things is player insurance, training match officials and equipping and gearing the teams.

Now those problems seem a lot closer to being resolved.

Dakink
28-12-05, 11:54 AM
From http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/glea...ts/sports8.html


League making strides forward in Jamaica
published: Sunday | December 18, 2005

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.

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Really seems to me that the Jamaican League is making the right moves to develop the game succesfully over there. Imagine playing the Calypso Kings in a game of League at the Footy Stadium!!!

SOLIOLA
28-12-05, 02:02 PM
I reckon some retired players of the Nrl should take part in projects like these, that way it can introduce the game to several other countries i see that there doing this now in the cricket so why cannot it happen in our great game.

But im looking forward to seeing a Jamaican Rugby League team over the next 10 years hopefully.

Eel 33
06-01-06, 08:56 AM
Jamaica vs Australia - No problem mon!!! :D