Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth & Sports

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Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sport, Hon. Olivia 'babsy' Grange presents cheque to Chairman of the Jamaica Rugby Union, Mr. Jacob Thompson

Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange on, January 10, 2008, presented a sponsorship cheque to the Jamaica Rugby Team to assist with their preparation for the International Rugby Board (IRB) Youth World Championship slated for Santiago, Chile, April 9-30, 2008.

In presenting the cheque to Chairman of the Jamaica Rugby Union Mr. Jacob Thompson, Minister Grange commended the team for its hard work and dedication to the development of the sport for over 30 years.

She acknowledged the team's achievement and commended them on receiving the IRB trophy, the second highest award given out by the organization and for being the only team outside of Europe to receive the award.

Jamaica is the first and only English speaking country to qualify for the event, joining other countries such as Uruguay, Romania, Namibia and Korea. Thirty two members of the team are now in training with a final 26 to be selected to represent the country at the Chile games.

Mr. Thompson updated the Minister on the team's performance over the years and its plans for the coming year which will see members competing in a full calendar of events.

These competitions will include the IRB 2011 men's Rugby World Cup Qualifier in Cayman from April 19-27 and the West Indies Rugby Union (NAWIRA/WIRU) Senior Men and Rugby World Cup Qualifier in the Bahamas.

The Rugby World Cup will be held in Dubai in 2009.

The team is being coached by Victor Hyde, Regional Development Officer, Middlesex County.

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