Could Jamaican rugby union one day rival the burgeoning Nigerian influence within the English game? A dedicated network of volunteers and coaches on both sides of the Atlantic is laying the foundations for a remarkable ascent, with a clear long-term ambition: qualifying for the 2031 Rugby World Cup.
Building Bridges Across the Atlantic
The engine for this growth is Jamaica UK Rugby, a club under the Jamaican Rugby Football Union umbrella boasting over 500 members. The strategy hinges on a vital crossover, developing talent in the UK and Jamaica simultaneously. A significant breakthrough came in 2018 when a sevens team blending UK and island-based players finished third at the Youth Olympics qualifiers in Las Vegas.
Hughton Campbell, the 61-year-old president of Jamaica Rugby UK, has combined a telecoms career with over a decade of voluntary service to the cause. "We needed to have something in the UK, a crossover: people going from the UK to Jamaica and vice versa," Campbell explains. The pandemic complicated this exchange, but the work continued, with UK-based players representing Jamaica at post-lockdown tournaments.
Creating Pathways Where None Existed
The mission is deeply personal for those involved, focused on creating opportunities for young players who might otherwise be overlooked. Phil Davis, a London-based youth coach, exemplified this in 2021. Seeking a pathway for a promising young prop, Ben Hatfield, he discovered none existed within the existing Jamaican 15s structure. Davis took it upon himself to create one.
"Ben had been in a difficult domestic situation," Davis recalls. "I wanted to create something to enthuse him... I thought if he had the opportunity to represent the country of his parents, that might be the thing that keeps him in rugby." This story echoes sentiments expressed by 2003 World Cup winner Jason Robinson, of Jamaican heritage, who has criticised how the sport has traditionally failed players from deprived areas.
Davis's efforts involved coaching sessions across Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, Birmingham, Bristol, and London to unearth and develop talent. His work has since paved the way for a new pathway for players of Nigerian heritage, while the Jamaican programme continues under Campbell's stewardship.
The Island's Grassroots Heroes
Progress in Jamaica itself is driven by committed figures like Curtis Wilmot and, notably, Tahj-Jay Lynch. "Tahj-Jay is a phenomenal person," Davis says. "He drives around the island working with young people. He is as much a father figure to the boys on the island as he is a coach."
Despite this passion, infrastructure remains a challenge. Campbell recently met with Jamaica's Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, to discuss the issue. "He agreed to find a pitch for us," Campbell reveals. "There isn't an official rugby pitch in Jamaica."
Ambitious Targets and Financial Hurdles
The long-term vision is now firmly set. "We've put a focus on the 2031 Rugby World Cup," Campbell states. The roadmap includes aiming for an Under-20 World Cup side in 2028, building on current youth setups like a new under-16s cohort coached by Nash Cohen. The women's sevens team is also seen as a potential Olympic qualifier.
The primary obstacle is resources. Assembling squads often happens just days before a tournament, limiting preparation. A three-month high-performance camp in California for some players demonstrated the potential impact of sustained training. "They came back totally transformed," Campbell notes. "If we had more opportunity to be together, we'd be out there competing quite strongly."
Funding the 15s programme, especially travel and accommodation, is a constant struggle without a headline sponsor. "It's just a lot of people digging into their pockets," Campbell says of the current model. His ideal solution? A partnership with World Rugby to establish a high-performance camp in Jamaica.
"There Is No Ceiling for These Players"
For Campbell, the core motivation is providing life-changing opportunities. "I look at these players and go: 'You think there's a ceiling on this, but there isn't,'" he says. He challenges the narrative that limits players based on background, adding: "The conversation might be: 'You're wearing the wrong socks, you didn't go to private school, you're not going to play for England' ... but that's not necessarily true. It's just your opportunity hasn't come."
The success stories fuel the effort. Phil Davis speaks with pride about Ben Hatfield, the prop he initially sought to help, who is now playing club rugby in Australia. "I felt like it was mission accomplished... I get a warm feeling inside when you give opportunities to lads who wouldn't normally have them."
With a deep pool of athletic talent, unwavering volunteer dedication, and a bold 2031 goal, Jamaican rugby is on a compelling journey, determined to prove that on the global stage, there truly is no ceiling.
