Devon, UK – 18th March 2025 – Jamaica UK is proud to announce an exciting partnership with Mount Kelly School, one of the UK’s most prestigious independent boarding schools, to provide talented young rugby players with scholarships and bursaries, ensuring access to world-class education and elite sports development.

This partnership provides Jamaica UK players with the opportunity to study and train at Mount Kelly, a school known for academic excellence, outstanding sports provision, and strong values in leadership and character development. With a rich history of producing high-performance athletes, state-of-the-art facilities, and expert coaching, Mount Kelly perfectly complements Jamaica UK’s vision for developing the next generation of rugby talent.

Why Mount Kelly?

Mount Kelly is one of the UK’s top independent schools, offering:

✔ Exceptional Academic Standards – A proven track record of GCSE, A-Level, and BTEC success, preparing pupils for top UK and international universities.
✔ Elite Sporting Environment – Home to a Performance Rugby Programme, specialist strength & conditioning training, and tailored athlete support.
✔ World-Class Facilities – Including three all-weather pitches, an Olympic-standard swimming centre, a 700m² indoor sports hall, a high-performance gym, and dedicated sports physiotherapy support.
✔ Character & Leadership Development – A school ethos that promotes resilience, discipline, and leadership, creating well-rounded individuals ready for success beyond rugby.

Opportunities for Jamaica UK Players

Scholarships & Means-Tested Bursaries – Making elite education and rugby development accessible to players from diverse backgrounds.
High-Performance Rugby Training – Specialist coaching, performance analysis, and elite-level competition to accelerate development.
Holistic Player Development – A unique blend of rugby, education, and life skills, ensuring long-term success on and off the pitch.
Pathways to Higher Levels – Players will benefit from Jamaica UK and Mount Kelly’s strong links to professional clubs, national teams, and university rugby scholarships.

A Pathway to Excellence

Hughton Campbell, Director of Rugby for Jamaica, emphasized the importance of the partnership:
"For young Jamaican players, opportunities like this are game-changing. Combining high-quality education with top-level rugby development gives them a platform to reach their full potential. Mount Kelly’s facilities, coaching, and academic standards will provide the perfect environment for them to thrive."

“This partnership is a huge step forward for our players,” said Nash Cohen, Head of Elite Development at Jamaica UK. “Mount Kelly’s commitment to high-performance sport and academic excellence aligns perfectly with Jamaica UK’s vision of creating pathways for young athletes to succeed at the highest level both on and off the field.”

Mount Kelly’s Director of Sport and former professional rugby player, Pale Nonu, added: “At Mount Kelly, we are committed to developing talent and providing young athletes with the best possible opportunities. Our collaboration with Jamaica UK will ensure that players receive elite rugby training and an outstanding education, preparing them for success at the next level.”

How to Apply
Applications for the Jamaica UK x Mount Kelly scholarship and bursary programme are now open. Interested players and parents should attend the Teams Call this Sunday, 23rd March at 8pm to learn more.

Mount Kelly representatives will also be present at the Jamaica UK vs. ERA fixture on 28th March at Grasshoppers to discuss this opportunity in person.
This partnership represents a major step forward for Jamaican rugby talent, providing young players with access to top-tier education, elite-level training, and pathways to professional and international rugby.