Jamaica Targets 2031 Rugby World Cup with Growing UK-Based Development Pathways
Jamaica Rugby UK, with approximately 500 members, is actively developing rugby pathways for sevens and 15s through volunteer efforts across the Caribbean and the UK. The organization aims to build a competitive national side targeting participation in the 2031 Rugby World Cup, alongside establishing an Under-20 team by 2028 and nurturing an under-16 cohort coached by Nash Cohen.
In 2021, London-based youth coach Phil Davis created a 15s development pathway for Ben Hatfield, a promising Jamaican-heritage prop previously lacking a clear route into senior rugby. Hatfield has since advanced to play club rugby in Australia, demonstrating the opportunities emerging from these grassroots initiatives.
Grassroots figures highlight the need to extend rugby opportunities to players from deprived areas—a cause supported by Jason Robinson as volunteers strive to expand access. A significant milestone was reached in 2018 when a sevens side, comprised of both UK- and Jamaica-based players, finished third at the Youth Olympics qualifiers in Las Vegas.
Jamaica Rugby UK's president, Hughton Campbell, 61, balances his telecoms career with leading the program and maintaining dialogue with Jamaican authorities despite the absence of an official rugby pitch in Jamaica. To boost player development, the organization runs high-performance camps, including a transformative three-month program in California. However, funding remains tight without a headline sponsor, prompting calls for World Rugby to collaborate on a similar high-performance camp within Jamaica.
Alongside these men’s pathways, there is also focus on women’s sevens with aspirations toward Olympic competition, reflecting a broad commitment to rugby growth across age groups and genders.
