REME hosts inaugural Jamaican rugby camp as country eyes place at 2027 world cup
The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) hosted the Jamaica UK Rugby Academy's inaugural training camp at MOD Lyneham as they look to qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Thirty UK-based players and seven staff took part in the training camp as the team embarks on the start of a four-year journey to qualify a rugby 15s team for the next World Cup.
The team were chaperoned by current Army Rugby League Head Coach, Sergeant Karl O'Doherty, at MOD Lyneham over the bank holiday weekend.
Team manager Jason Donaldson said: "It was fantastic, it was our first ever proper training camp and Andy Allen [former Army rugby union director] has been working tirelessly to allow this to happen for us with the Army and Reme.
"From Friday we had a good turnout, on Saturday more lads turned up and on Sunday we have even more turn up, the coaching was fantastic, Sgt O'Doherty helped out as well and have some advice in regards to turning up and attention to detail.
"We took on the Army's motto of 'Train hard, fight easy' and we want that to be our motto, so overall it was a fantastic weekend, it means the absolute world that the British Army are supporting us on this journey."
Ex-REME colonel and former director of Army rugby union Andy Allen was instrumental in harvesting this new relationship between REME and the Jamaica UK Rugby Academy.
He said: "For the vast majority, this was the first time they had stepped on a military camp and were mightily impressed by the facilities and hospitality.
"Training was intense and whilst all were exhausted by the end of the camp, the value was second to none and this was the first time such an event had taken place.
"Jamaica UK Rugby Union Academy is a voluntary organisation and this assistance by REME was invaluable.
"Special thanks must also go to Col Paul Johnson, Lt Col Mick Patey, Lt Col Will Naylor and especially Capt Max Beeley, who with their teams made the camp run so smoothly."
Jamaica already has an established Rugby 7s setup, and with Jamaica UK Rugby Academy's ambitions of growing the 15s game and finding more UK-based players.
Donaldson says he hopes to take on some military players from the Navy, Army and RAF who have Jamaican heritage.
He said: "Absolutely we are looking, if there are any players in the military that would like to play, then we would encourage them to get in contact with myself.
"At the moment, we have got about 120 players and we would probably like to get that up to 200, so if you have a family member of Jamaican heritage, then please get in contact."
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
