Does Jamaica have a National Sport?
7 National Sport Teams of Jamaica

Does Jamaica have a national sport? | The Sunshine Girls

By Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

As an island, as a group of people, we are known worldwide for our athletic prowess, especially in track and field. If most people across the globe were to be asked, “Does Jamaica have a national sport?” I am pretty sure their answer would be yes, and the sport they would be referring to is track and field. And while we dominate the track and field stage internationally, track and field is not our national sport. Jamaica does not officially have a national sport, but if we were to select one, it would more than likely be cricket or football.

However, what we do have, are several national sports teams that represent us regionally and internationally. 

The Jamaica Scorpions

The national cricket team of Jamaica, formally known as the Jamaica Scorpions, represents us as a nation internationally. The squad participates in the Regional Four Day Competition and the Regional Super50 as the Jamaica Scorpions franchise in the Professional Cricket League of Cricket West Indies. Jamaica has won 12 regional first class and 9 regional one-day championships. As a result, the Scorpions have taken home the second-most first-class and 50-over titles in West Indies cricket history.

Sunshine Girls

In international netball tournaments, Jamaica is represented by the national netball team, also referred to as the Sunshine Girls. The Sunshine Girls have competed in every INF Netball World Cup since their first match on the international stage in 1959, never placing worse than sixth. In the 1991, 2003, and 2007 World Championships, Jamaica finished third. They have taken part in all six Commonwealth Games netball competitions so far, and in 2002, in Manchester, in 2014, in Glasgow, Scotland, and 2018, in Gold Coast, Australia, they each won a bronze medal.

Reggae Boyz

In international football, Jamaica is represented by the "Reggae Boyz". In 1925, the team's first game was against Haiti. The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), which is a part of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), and the FIFA world governing body, is in charge of overseeing the team. Since it opened in 1962, Independence Park has hosted Jamaica's home games. The team's lone FIFA World Cup appearance was in 1998, where they placed third in their group but were unable to proceed. The group also participated in the Caribbean Cup, where they won six times.

The Jamaica National Badminton Team

In international badminton team competitions, Jamaica is represented by the national team. The Jamaica Badminton Association, which oversees badminton in Jamaica is the body in charge of the team. The Jamaican mixed team competed in the Sudirman Cup three times but was eliminated in the group round each time. The 2016 Pan American Badminton Championships saw the Jamaican mixed team place fourth as well. The national team's highest finish was third place at the 2018 Pan American Badminton Championships, where they defeated Peru 3-0 in the bronze medal match.

Jamaica National Bobsleigh Team

In international bobsleighing competitions, Jamaica is represented by the national bobsleigh squad. When the men's team made its four-man bobsleigh debut at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Alberta, they were viewed as underdogs in a cold weather sport represented by a country with a tropical climate. In the two-man bobsleigh, Jamaica returned to the Winter Olympics in 1992, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2014, and 2022; a women's squad made its debut in 2018.

Jamaica National Rugby League Team

In international rugby league competitions, Jamaica is represented by the national rugby league team. At the 2009 Atlantic Cup against the United States, the Jamaica Rugby League Association-run team made their full international debut. In 2021, the team participated in the Rugby League World Cup for the first time. They typically dress in yellow jerseys with green socks and shorts. Their strongest lineup is made up primarily of Jamaican British professionals and semi-pros, as well as local Jamaican amateurs.

Jamaica National Basketball Team

The Jamaica Basketball Association is in charge of the national basketball team of Jamaica. The team's best performance came at the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship, where they defeated Brazil and Argentina, both former world champions.

These are not the only national teams though, we also have several other groups. Can you believe that includes two hockey teams? Yes, field and, surprisingly, ice hockey too.

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References & Sources Does Jamaica have a National Sport?

1. The Reggae Boyz, Jamaica Football History and World Cup Qualifying Results. (n.d.). The Reggae Boyz, Jamaica Football History and World Cup Qualifying Results. https://thereggaeboyz.com/history.htm

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