Player needs to raise £2k to help nation’s Rugby World Cup push
A22-YEAR-OLD from Bristol has been selected to represent the Jamaican national rugby team – but there’s a major hurdle standing in his way.
Due to a lack of government funding, Michael Symons from Redfield must raise £2,000 to cover travel and accommodation costs for the game in the Jamaican capital of Kingston on May 18.
The match against Bermuda is pivotal in Jamaica’s 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifying campaign. The result will impact the team’s world ranking, ultimately determining whether they qualify for the competition for the first time.
“If we lose these games, we’ll be too low-ranked,” said Michael. “There wouldn’t be another load of games, even in the future when we might be getting funding, so if I weren’t to go for these now, that would be the opportunity over.”
What makes the former Cleve RFC youth player’s selection all the more remarkable is that, just five years ago, he was forced to step away from the game he loves due to a serious lower back injury.
“As a parent, you’re proud of whatever they do, aren’t you?” his mum Joanna Symons said.
“But I’m even prouder of him getting selected because I know what he’s gone through. He used to be part of the Bristol Bears academy, but he was injured quite badly, so he was withdrawn from that at 17.”
While injured as a teen, Michael tried to play through the pain to keep his place in the academy. But eventually, a conversation with first-team player Kyle Sinckler persuaded him to step back and seek help.
“We met him at an event for the Japan World Cup at the harbourside,” Joanna said. “Michael spoke to Kyle for quite some time, and he said, ‘Just stop playing and sort out your injury.’
“That’s when Michael told me he was in pain all the time because I didn’t know how bad it was. And that’s when we were able to sort it out properly.”
Michael spent the next 12 months recovering from his injury. But, just as his fitness was returning, lockdown hit to keep him away from the rugby pitch for another two years. Despite this slew of setbacks, he remained determined to get back into the game.
During lockdown, he began studying politics and international relations at the University of Essex. But when his old club, Bath-based Walcot RFC, offered to foot his travel expenses if he came back to play for them each weekend, he knew what he wanted to do.
“There wasn’t much free time,” Michael admitted, “But I love playing for them. I want to play at the highest level I can, and I also want to play as much rugby as possible.”
He quickly impressed with Walcot, carving a spot as their firstteam prop at just 21 years old. And it was through his connections here that international rugby came calling.
“We have another prop who plays for Gibraltar,” Michael explained. “He was named in the team to play a friendly match in Gibraltar against Jamaica, and he
Aside from bringing so much happiness and pride to your nation, also being able to change the game and bring in more tier-three nations would be amazing
Michael Symons
knew that Jamaica needed a prop.
“My coach knew the coach for Jamaica, so he contacted him and said, ‘We’ve got a prop who’s eligible. Would you like to talk to him?’ A day later, I got a call from the coach for Jamaica asking me about my rugby background. Eventually, he said, ‘Do you want to fly out in two days?’
Of course, the answer was a
resounding yes, and within 72 hours, Michael had joined the Jamaica team.
“Walking out onto the pitch was great, it’s not something I can put into words,” said Michael.
Becoming an international-level athlete at 21 is no mean feat. But Michael’s goals don’t end with representing his country or even playing at the Rugby World Cup. He wants to improve the game of rugby and believes Jamaica’s presence at their first World Cup could be a catalyst for this.
“Aside from bringing so much happiness and pride to your nation, also being able to change the game and bring in more tier-three nations would be amazing,” he said.
“If we get in, more of the islands will look at us and think, ‘Oh, it’s possible. We’re going to try and get into the World Cup, too.”
To help Michael raise the cash visit