One of Jamaica’s Rugby League players says the sport “derailed me from a life crime.”
Wingback Andrew Simpson said: “Having Rugby League involved in communities can be a tool for reducing the people getting on the wrong side of the law.”
As of 2022, Jamaica ranks tenth in the world for crime rate with 67 people per 100,000 turning to crime according to World Population review.
In 2005, Jamaica’s crime rate saw over 60 people per 100,000 being dragged into a life of crime. Growing up with this crime rate, the topic is something very close to the hearts of the players.
“I’m a true testimony of this,” Simpson said.
“I found Rugby in my early teens. I saw the look on my mother’s face and knew this was what I wanted to do.”
“I’m confident that it can be a turning point.”
According to Concept smoke screen (2022) “sports programmes protect significantly against criminal behaviour.”
Initiatives have been used in the past to try and fight violent crime. In 2019, Sport England set up a programme that gave 3000 kids the chance to play sport, with over £400,000 investment across 49 projects.
‘There’s no limits’
Jamaican captain, Ashton Golding, previously spoke to us about the importance of exposing Rugby League to new people:
“I believe it’s about building a new generation of Rugby League players.
“There’s no limits.
“It teaches respect.
“You can make friends for life.”
Rugby League could be the catalyst for “building a new generation” and helping young people in Jamaica to escape from the violent crime and gang culture that is so prevalent in the country.
Vice captain Marvin Thompson also said: “It’s important for us that we widen the range for young kids to play. Everybody is different and its important kids have that option.”
