Competitive rugby league is back.

After two years without a tackle being executed or a ball being passed in a match, Rugby League Jamaica (RLJ) relaunched its competitive calendar with the staging of the National Under-19 one-a-side tournament for high schools on April 12 at BB Coke High in St Elizabeth.

Resumption marks an important turning point as athletes and officials look to return the sport to its pinnacle, having qualified the men’s national team, the Reggae Warriors, to the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England, to be played in October 2022 due to postponement cause by COVID-19.

Five educational institutions took part in the youth tournament, with Cedar Grove Academy winning their first national title in any sport.

After a series of round-robin matches, they defeated Calabar High 8-4 in the grand final, Kaden Hunter was voted most valuable player. The hosts finished third, ahead of Campion College and St George’s College

Cedar Grove Head Coach Antonio Baker said: “We were elated to win our first U19 title, and it was made even more special because it is the school’s first-ever sporting trophy. We were the smallest team on the day but the determination and tenacity of man of the tournament, Kaden Hunter, helped his team to soar to excellence.

“Going into the tournament I was a bit worried because we only had two training sessions prior to leaving, but the boys really put their bodies on the line. The entire school celebrated with us as the trophy was presented to the principal at our Lenten service. The rugby league culture is thriving in our school as both genders from all grade levels are clamouring to join the sport.”

RLJ director Romeo Monteith noted: “It’s massive to see our juniors get the chance to play rugby league again in 2022. These kids have missed out on so much, including lost scholarship opportunities to our universities and colleges. Everyone made a huge effort, including coaches, managers, players, and principals to get the teams back on the field. It was exciting to see our match officials back in action too after the long layoff, we hope to slowly get all our rugby league community back to playing.”

The next tournament is scheduled for Friday for Under-16s at Campion College and RLJ intends to add an Under-14 tournament in May to close out the shortened season.