JACKSONVILLE – The American National Rugby League in partnership with the Jacksonville Axemen and the Jamaican Rugby League Association, is excited to announce that a full international game between the two nations will take place at the University of North Florida on Saturday November 14th. The USA Tomahawks will square off against the Jamaicans in this historic event.
The game will be the first in what is hoped to become an annual “Atlantic Cup” that will see additional nations added in future years. Jacksonville was given approval to host the game after the Axemen submitted a proposal to both teams and the world governing body for the sport, who all agreed to give full sanctioning to the event as an international game.
Event coordinator Spinner Howland commented on the importance of the game, “It is important that everyone in Jacksonville understands the full meaning of this game. It is real international competition that will see the best athletes from each country take the field to do battle under their nation’s flag. The game will affect the international rankings of each country and could well have effect on future world cup qualification plans. Representing for your country is the biggest honor anyone can be asked and the adrenalin that flows on game day always means that meetings like this are played with incredible intensity that proves to be an amazing spectacle for the fans. There is no feeling in the world like running onto the field dressed in your nation’s colors and having thousands of screaming fans supporting you. We know that Jacksonville will show up in force for the USA team.”
The President of the AMNRL, David Niu commented on the event, “The American National Rugby League is committed to the development of the sport of Rugby League in the USA. The opportunity to present our national team, the USA Tomahawks in an International Fixture with Jamaica will be an ideal chance to measure the development and rising standard of our domestic competition through the performance of our elite players in this game. With the match being hosted at Hodges Stadium at UNF all fans of rugby league throughout the world, in America and the Florida region can once again experience the city of Jacksonville and the first class event presentation developed by Spinner Howland and the Jacksonville Axemen.
We look forward to an exciting game before a large dedicated fan base that have been huge supporters of rugby league for a number of years now cheering on our friends from Jamaica, the Tomahawks and local favorites from the Axemen squad who will be representing the USA.”
Jamaican Development Officer Romeo Montieth is excited about the upcoming event, “This test match against the USA will be a tough assignment, however I am confident that our boys will give the Tomahawks more than enough opposition and the fans a great game. We are appealing to all Jamaicans in Florida to turn out in numbers to cheer our boys on and witness a truly great game of Rugby League.”
Team members will begin arriving into Jacksonville on Wednesday November 11 to prepare for the Saturday game.
Event information and ticket purchase info can be found at www.jaxaxe.com
