Cornwall College, Anchovy High, Herbert Morrison High and Maldon High became the first schools in Western Jamaica to participate in rugby league as the sport spreads around the island. The schools fielded U16 and U19 teams in the first round of the JRLA Cornwall County 9s with hundreds of students watching the high speed collision sport for the first time.

The JRLA’s youth program is assisted by UK Sport's International Development programme and the Rugby League European Federation.

JRLA Director of Rugby and RLEF Caribbean Development Manger Romeo Monteith commented, “The athletes in the West are phenomenal, they very fast and physical and in a few years time I expect that many of these boys will challenge for places in the national team. Rugby League is the perfect fit for them; it promotes power, pace, discipline and a healthy lifestyle among the student-athletes and will help to make them better individuals.”

With rugby league now a recognised intercollegiate sport, the opportunity for tertiary scholarships exists for players who perform well on the High School scene. There is also the possibility of earning a scholarship at the only semi-professional club in the Caribbean, Hurricanes Rugby League, who train out of GC Foster College.

Pictured: Maldon High school in Western Jamaica