The Royal Air Force will be flying into Jamaica next month on a 10-day tour from the 7th-16th January to promote rugby league in disadvantaged Jamaican communities.

The Jamaican Defence Force (JDF) and Jamaican Rugby League Association (JRLA) will be hosting the RAF for this ground-breaking tour to a country renowned for its depth of sporting talent but very new to the sport of rugby league.

The RAF team were invited following a chance meeting with a delegation from the JRLA during a visit to the UK, organised by the Leeds Rugby Foundation to help build relationships between the Leeds and West Indian communities.

The Chairman of RAF Rugby League Wing Commander Dean Andrew said: "We were inspired by the infectious enthusiasm of the JRLA, and the RAF wanted to play a part in supporting the JDF community relations programme by engaging underprivileged youngsters in rugby league and discouraging them from drugs and crime."

As well as participating in numerous community development sessions and training referees with members of the Rugby Football League Development Department, the RAF will play an inaugural test match against the JDF, and a select Jamaican national side.

Since its start over ten years ago the RAF has been a true missionary in promoting the RAF and rugby league with overseas tours to New Zealand and Russia, hosting the finals of the UK Carnegie Champion Schools tournament (the largest rugby league tournament in the world), as well as being the current inter-service champions.

This tour marks a further development in an already close relationship between the JDF and the RAF, who are seeking to expand defence diplomacy ties and sporting links.

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