By LeVaughn Flynn, Staff ReporterJAMAICA'S FEMALE rugby team needs help fast. A day before they leave the island to take part in the four-nation Caribbean Championships in Trinidad and Tobago, they have a $150,000 financial gap that must be filled in order for them to leave tomorrow.
"Whenever we play we always represent our country and it's really bad that we can't get any help. We've made contact with the private sector, government agencies and the US Embassy but we haven't gotten any response," said the team's coach Herman Cole.
"We had a walk-a-thon last Saturday but we still need $150,000 more," he pointed out.
HAVE TO REDUCE THE SQUAD
Because of the team's financial constraints, they may have to reduce their squad from 24 to 17 players, and with 15 players on the field at one time, this could mean little or no options in case of injuries.
"Right now one of our best players is injured and if we go over there and some of our players get hurt we may not have enough replacements," said the team's vice-captain, Churine Corssman Smith.
The Gleaner understands that the team will receive a tax waiver on their departure tomorrow but they will have to fork up TT$1,500 to return.
So far, the team got sponsorship from Crimson Dawn, Sunny Island and Metal Box.
If the girls were to receive any funding, it would be a sound investment as they won their last competition, International Supporters Sevens in Cayman in June and boast bragging rights as the best team in the region.
