The JRLA National Club Championship kicks off today with six teams challenging for rugby league supremacy in Jamaica.

The League is in its ninth year and continues to build as one of the island’s premier sporting competitions.

Six teams will face each other in home and away clashes that will last over three and a half months.

Defending champions Duhaney Park Red Sharks put their credentials on the line against Vauxhall Vultures, Jamaica Defence Force, Spanish Town Vikings, Liguanea Dragons and GC Foster Lions. The top four will advance to the semi-finals on September 13, with the two winners playing for the national title on September 20.

To open the campaign, Jamaica Defence Force host Vauxhall at Up Park Camp, while Duhaney Park take on Liguanea.

On Sunday, GC Foster entertain Spanish Town at the GC Foster College ground.

JRLA Director of Rugby Romeo Monteith believes this will be the most competitive season to date.

“All the teams are looking extremely strong and we are happy to see many Intercollegiate players joining the community club teams,” he said.

“For the first time, we cannot identify one team as a favourite, all six are in with a chance of taking the title and this is an indication of  how much the game has grown."