National Pride will be on the line when International Rugby League comes to Jacksonville

 

Thursday Aug 2^nd will see the arrival of the Jamaican National Rugby League team to Jacksonville as the Jacksonville Axemen Rugby League Team plays host to them for both a Training camp and an International Game of Rugby League on Saturday Aug 4^th.

 

The 4-day tour will give both teams a chance to test their skill and level of play against international opposition and also allow both teams to learn from each other’s style of play. The Axemen are a large powerful team that gets most of its yards form powerful running and dominant tackling style, where as the Jamaican team tends to have a lot more speed and carries an arsenal of evasive runners that can be tough to get a hold of.

 

The 4 days will also allow for both teams to sit down as discuss off the field activities as well. Drew Slover and Daryl “Spinner” Howland will hold a meeting with Romeo Montieth and other heads form the Jamaican team to discuss marketing, promotion and sponsorship ideas. It is hoped that both teams can learn plenty from each other in these areas as well and also try and combine some efforts for the future seasons.

 

The Axemen have arranged a full schedule of events for the visitors that will include skills and drills clinics at the UNF facility along with their usual practice sessions. There will also be strength and conditioning sessions that will be held at Gracor Fitness, who are the personal fitness providers for the Jacksonville team.

 

Some social events are also planned with both teams attending a Thursday night function at Fionn MacCools Irish Pub at Jacksonville Beach in a friendly meet and greet atmosphere. The highlight of the social calendar will most likely be the Jaguar Scrimmage on Friday night that will take place at the Municipal Stadium. The Jaguars have been a great partner for the Axemen and along with members of “The Rumble” Crew from 1010XL Sport talk radio, both teams will be get to see NFL players up close during their pre season scrimmage.

 

After a pre game meal at Outback Steakhouse the game will take place at the Hodges UNF Stadium at 5.45pm on Aug 4^th and should be a classic match up of power and brut force versus speed and evasion. It is has all the makings of very entertaining game with both teams playing for their nations honor.