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Hi all,
Dane Campbell here. As Roopy has mentioned in previous threads, I have been on this forum for a number of years under an alias, but with a new venture in the form of the Hurricanes Rugby League I have decided to make it accessible for all supporters to make contact with me, as I feel this is something that can positively impact on the international rugby league landscape and I am open to input from all sources as I know there are some very talented people on this forum. By allowing greater access I hope to be able to hear ideas and possibly implement them in moving the Hurricanes Rugby League franchise forward in Jamaica.
As many of you would be aware through reading Druzik's article in the link provided in the first thread, I have started a franchise called Hurricanes Rugby League. This franchise will be run as a business in Jamaica and will serve to provide pathways for young Jamaican players follow the dream of becoming professional rugby league players. There has been plenty of thought go into the concept and the ultimate aim is to compete in the AMNRL competition by the year 2013. This timeframe has been established to allow us time to create structures for the business that will be sustainable and to not over promise things that we can not commit to, or would be a struggle or a drain financially. I have spoken briefly to David Nui about the concept and he was receptive to the idea and in time we will continue to plan for entry into the AMNRL by 2013.
It is also important to make people aware that the Hurricanes Rugby League (HRL) is a seperate legal and trading entity to that of the Jamaica Rugby League Association (JRLA). I have spoken at length to Romeo Monteith (JRLA Development Manager) who has been liasing with the JRLA board of directors to ensure that everything is transparent. At all times the HRL will work in tandem with the JRLA's objectives and goals so that we can both further promote the sport of rugby league in Jamaica at all levels. You will also note that we have specifically not included a city name attached to our name, as we want to be seen as a team for the nation, rather than isolate ourselves to one geographical location.
The aim of the HRL is not come in and do the JRLA's job, rather provide a top tier level for elite players to become fulltime rugby league players. The aim would be to see players that compete in the JRLA Schools and Community competitions identified and provided further opportunities to advance their skills. As an assistant coach to the Jamaica national team, I certainly see value in such a concept, as the HRL will then provide high class training and development structures that will nuture future national team players. By the players competing in the ever improving AMNRL competition it will also broaden their knowledge and experience in the game.
So that is a bit about where we are headed, now to where we are currently:
Last weekend saw the very first Hurricanes Rugby League Academy training session. The HRL Academy caters for players aged 16-19 that compete in the JRLA Schools competition. Current Jamaica national team player Roy Calvert (also General Manager of HRL) put the 10 players through their paces at a physical testing day. These 10 players have all been included in the Academy after careful consideration not only of their playing ability, but also their character off the field also. We want to base our franchise around the principles that we are ambassadors for the sport of rugby league and as such we need to have outstanding young men involved with the franchise to portray this image. All players selected thus far have shown a real enthusiasm to be part of the Academy program and should they complete the 6-month training program, will be rewarded with full scholarships to go towards school tutition fee's, along with assistance with resources such as mouthguards and transport. We aim to ensure that these players are recieving professional programs which are equivilant to programs being conducted by players in Australia, New Zealand, France and England, so that they can challenge themselves to be the best they can be. Plans are also underway already for the 2011 intake of Academy players with various initatives planned for final selection of players. With Romeo doing such a wonderful job at promoting the game to schools, we now have 8 schools in which to select players from, as opposed to 3 from last year. This requires greater analysis and plans are to have several trial phases before ultimate selection of an expanded 15 man Academy next year. It is hoped that these players that come through the Academy set up will eventually become Hurricanes senior players in 3 years time.
That is a little about current activities on the playing field. Off the field we are in the final stages of business registration, bank accounts, websites, social media pages etc. which is why we will "officially" launch in January 2011. This is where we will launch logo, colours, website, merchandise and sponsorship, membership and other financial assistance packages. I would like to think that once launched there will be plenty of interest from people on this forum and I encourage you all to look into the various options that will be available to support the Hurricanes Rugby League.
In the meantime, we have set up an interim email address (which can not link here as I have fewer than 20 posts, but it is in the replies to Druzik's article in the link provided in first thread post) which is where people can contact me direct with any initaitves you may wish to share or questions that you may about any aspect of the franchise. Similarly, if you would like to pre-register your interest in assisting the HRL you can contact me and I will put your details to file for when time comes to launch packages.
Again, I thank you all for your intial positive response to the Hurricanes Rugby League and here is to a long and fruitful journey of self and cultural awareness and experience for our players, staff, sponsors and supporters.
Regards,
Dane Campbell
Hurricanes Rugby League
Ce message a été modifié par deluded pom? - 13 décembre 2010 - 06:35 .
