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.