Jamaica Targets 2031 Rugby World Cup with Growing UK and Caribbean Program
Jamaica Rugby UK, operating under the Jamaican Rugby Football Union, comprises about 500 members and develops youth sides with international pathways for sevens and 15s rugby across the UK and Caribbean.
In 2021, London-based youth coach Phil Davis established a pathway to 15s rugby for players of Jamaican heritage, exemplified by Ben Hatfield, who has advanced to play club rugby in Australia.
Jason Robinson, a 2003 Rugby World Cup winner with Jamaican heritage, has highlighted challenges faced by players from deprived areas, emphasizing the importance of grassroots rugby initiatives within Jamaica.
Hughton Campbell, president of Jamaica Rugby UK for over a decade and also employed in telecommunications, has engaged Jamaica's prime minister to secure facilities, underscoring a significant limitation as there is currently no official rugby pitch in Jamaica.
A pivotal moment occurred in 2018 when a sevens team composed of UK- and Jamaica-based players placed third at the Youth Olympics qualifiers in Las Vegas.
The Covid-19 pandemic necessitated adjustments in training and tournament arrangements between the UK and Jamaica, with ongoing travel and logistical challenges.
Long-term objectives include targeting participation in the 2031 Rugby World Cup, a possible Under-20 World Cup in 2028, the introduction of an Under-16s group, and the expansion of a female sevens pathway aimed at Olympic competition.
A transformative three-month high-performance camp in California demonstrated the benefits of increased joint training, boosting the team's competitiveness.
Funding remains limited with no headline sponsor; there is a call for support from World Rugby to finance a high-performance camp in Jamaica to aid in player development.
