JRFU growing rugby in western Jamaica
Patrick Alexander, chief organising officer for the Montego Bay Sun Splash Sevens Rugby Tournament, said that Saturday’s third staging of the event at Jarrett Park was used to promote the sport, particularly in the western region.
Defending champions Mona Titans swept the tournament, winning both the male and female titles with Shanique Smith named female MVP and Keneth Walker walking away with the male equivalent.
“Jamaica Rugby Football Union is actually on a drive in promoting the sport in order for it to spread across the island,” said Alexander, who is also the director of ruby for the Montego Bay Panthers Rugby Club.
“One of our ventures as a club is to help promote the sport in the western region. We have been trying to get into the schools, and with us putting on this tournament, it’s actually like a brand mark for us,” he added.
Alexander pointed out that they are trying to reignite the vision of the late Jacob Thompson, former chief organiser of schoolboy and schoolgirl rugby in the Island, to get the high schools in the western region playing.
“A few years ago we were in six schools in the Montego Bay area, however, that broke down after the passing of Jacob Thompson. What we are trying to do now is actually uplift that programme that we had in the past to try and get back into the schools,” said Alexander.