You can't fault the Jamaicans when it comes to bleeding the well.


It seems that the 5 team "Jamaican Rugby League Association", which is heavily sponsored by the English League, is largely the same people who play Union.


When I was growing up, 'League' was the enemy, you couldn't say the word in our house without risking a clattering from my dad. But it seems the JRFU, and particularly their main team, the Jamaican Defence Force have embraced both codes.
Now, it seems the British tax payers are getting in on the act, by supporting a tour of 'Disadvantaged Jamaican Communities' (quote) by the Royal Air Force.


At the same time, one of the best League Clubs in the world, Leeds Rhinos are sponsoring Jamaican Club side Kingston Vultures.


Follow up:




A couple of years ago, we (Bahamas Rugby) were vaguely approached by League side Warrington with an offer to 'support' our development programme. All they wanted in return was our best players, oh yeah, and for us to switch codes. In return, we would have received $20,000 each year and all their old jerseys.
When that didn't happen, they offered us their old jerseys if we played League as well as Union.


My point is this, you can't blame Jamaica for grabbing a dollar or two wherever they can and you can understand the merits of a league club investing a couple of thousand dollars which would be richly rewarded should they manage to pick up one or two players - but why aren't the big Union clubs doing the same?

Surely it would be in the interest of Wasps, Brieve or Saracens to look at investing in the region. Or are they already doing the same in the Pacific Islands?


However, as much as I hate League, you have to admit that they've laid down the gauntlet and should the next great League player come out of Jamaica, just watch Union come running.






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1 comment

Comment from: Romeo [Visitor] · http://www.sharksrugby.org
I find it very disrespectful as a Jamaican pioneer in RL that you are suggesting we are "bleeding the well". It is a foolish person who speaks out of ignorance. My friend, your ignorance is frightening and you merelly sully the good name of Rugby League in Jamaica.

THERE IS NO WELL TO BLEED MATE.

SO YOU HATE LEAGUE, WELL WE LEAGUERS IN JAMACIA LOVE RUGBY UNION AND RUGBY LEAGUE, WE AINT STUCK UP ON ENGLISH HISTORY AND DIVISIVENESS. GET OVER IT.

WE ARE NOT BEGGARS, DONT GET IT TWISTED.

ITS THE VAUXHALL VULTURES, NOT KINGSTON VULTURES, see www.jrla.net for proper education on Rl in jamaica or www.sharksrugby.org
WE ARE NOT ALL THE SAME PEOPLE WHO PLAY UNION, SOME OF US DO, SOME DONT.

THE ARMY ISNT THE THE MAIN TEAM IN RU, THEY DIDNT EVEN WIN LAST SEASON, THE PEMBROKE HALL ROOKIES DID.

First off, this is 2007, not 1907, there is no problem between Union and League in Jamaica, except from a few "old men" who live in the past.

These are the facts, learn from them.

1) Rugby League was started in Jamaica in 2005 because 3 clubs were fustrated with the inability of the Local Union Body to run a "properly" organised sport. The intention was to play RL in the summer and Union in the "winter"

2) the clubs were not promised any money to play RL, the clubs were promised a "professionally run", something they hadnt seen in a long time playing Union.

2)The RL organization did not merely invite some union clubs to play RL, they went out and formed two NEW clubs to play RL. When one of the new clubs( The Olympic Angels) decided to play Union, the RL board gave its blessing because we dont care if u play RU, Basketball or football, it's your RIGHT.

3) Presently, of the 5 clubs playing RL, only two are playing RU, the Army and Vauxhall. (The Angels started and stopped)

5) The RL in Jamaica receives NO MONEY from any body in England or elsewhere, we find our own money LOCALLY, not much, but enough to play our sport in the summer. On the contrary, it is the RU that receives funding from England throught the IRB, I am sure the RU in the Bahamas receives its annual cheque too, and thats a good thing.

6)Our RL friends in England provided us with 2 Sets of used kits from amateur clubs in 2006 and one set 0f New shirts from pro club,we got balls balls and technical advice too. My club, in over 5 years of playing RU, has never so much as received a ball from the RU much less used or new kit, we had to sew our kit and play in T-Shirts like many other clubs.
In 2007, the JRLA (RL gov. body), provided 5 SETS OF NEW KITS for all five clubs, from money we begged locally!

7)All incoming tours to the Island is LARGELY OR FULLY funded by the players not British tax payers, I found that comment especially hurtful.

8) No League Club in England has invested a couple thousand dollars on RL in Jamaica, I would love for that to happen though.

9) I am 27 years old and I dont recall an English RU team touring Jamaica in the last 15 years.

10) RL is played in our communities in Jamaica, 3 of the 5 teams are located in "disadvantaged" areas, Olympic Gardens, Dunkirk and Duhaney Park to a lessor extent. Therefore, the RAF is accurate in its description.

10) If you have the link with Warrington still, pass it on, I would love to accept that 20000.00 to help with RL in Jamaica and I would love to give them my best players, because I dont see any RU Clubs in England knocking on our doors.
07th January 2008 @ 18:00

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