Jamaica host unique fundraiser

The Jamaican Rugby League squad, who are set to play USA in the ‘Hotels of Jacksonville.com’ Atlantic Cup clash on 14th November, have come up with a unique method of supplementing the cost of the trip, in what is their first international fixture.

Coach Dean Thomas and the rest of the UK-based players are holding a 12-hour DJ marathon next Saturday, 31st October in Marcia’s restaurant on Chapeltown Road in Leeds, from 9am to 9pm.

Pledges can be made to have meals with members of the squad, spin the records with them or just contribute to what will be an historic match.

Jamaica head coach Dean Thomas said, “Not all our costs for the game have been covered so we thought music and sport go together really well, All the players are sponsored to supply the sound for the hour and we still have slots available in the morning and late evening”

Supported by the Leeds Rugby Foundation’s ‘Connecting Communities’ project, who will take pledges for the event, there is the chance to have breakfast with Dean Thomas and Ikram Butt, lunch with Des Drummond and a local councillor and tea with Steve Pryce, while the music plays.

Thomas, who will announce his squad for the game next week, added, “I have been a guest DJ on a local radio station to prepare and it is all great fun. The public is welcome and there will also be face painting and dance troops to entertain them.”

“This international will give an opportunity to the players of Jamaica to experience the intensity of international rugby league. We are working with an inexperienced squad for our first international and I know all our players will show pride and passion in their quest to give Jamaica another sport to be proud of.”