The Jamaica Rugby League Association (JRLA) has received a grant of £3,400 GBP ($459,270 JMD) from UK Sport's International Development assistance programme for its youth programme which involves 12 high schools. Ecstatic JLRA chairman Ventley Brown said "a thorough grant proposal was done... the Rugby League European Federation has been very inspirational in this new partnership".

Brown hopes the association with UK Sport is a "long and fruitful" one with JRLA ensuring that is "mutually beneficial, successful and accountable". International Development adviser for UK Sport/IDS Nick Pink noted that IDS (International Development through Sport) was "delighted to award a grant to the JRLA to support the development of Rugby League in Jamaica and working closely with the JRLA in the future".

Jamaica's director of Rugby League Romeo Monteith believes the "grant will go a far way in assisting our youth programme; more and more Jamaicans want to play rugby league and the key is to build a strong youth presence so that skills and awareness of the game is learnt at an early age".

Brown and members of UK Sport are in Trinidad and Tobago for a Next Step Conference promoting global partnership on the Millennium Development Goals. UK Sport, established by Royal Charter in 1997 and investing some £100 million of public funds yearly, also works with national governing bodies and partner organisations to help build "positive working relationships" and ensure that Britain has a voice on the world stage. Its International Development programme is recognised worldwide, using funds from the National Lottery and the Exchequer.

The RLEF is also working with UK Sport International on its fledgling West African development project.