Ashton Golding on fulfilling World Cup dream

Ashton Golding says he will be fulfilling a childhood dream if he gets to play at the Rugby League World Cup later this year.

The Huddersfield man will be hoping to represent Jamaica at this year’s tournament in England. He qualifies through the heritage rule, and has won five caps for the nation so far.

Having made his international debut in 2017, Jamaica qualified for the World Cup at the third attempt after beating Canada and United States in 2018.

While admitting Golding is focussed on the season ahead with Huddersfield first, the 25-year-old has said representing Jamaica at the World Cup would fulfil a childhood dream.

Ashton Golding on World Cup dream with Jamaica

“I’ve got a lot of boxes to tick first,” Golding told Love Rugby League looking ahead to the tournament. “I’ve got a lot of ambitions and goals that I want to achieve first, which will hopefully catapult me into a really strong position for the World Cup.

“That’s (World Cup) always something on my mind. Since I was a kid I’ve always wanted to play in a World Cup and represent my heritage.

“Being given that opportunity of having the chance of gaining that experience is something that I am looking forward to.

“The biggest thing this year that has been installed into us at training is not looking too far ahead. Nothing is guaranteed and nothing is set in stone.

“Take it week by week, day by day and hour by hour. But it is on my mind because I’m an active speaker in the Jamaica group chats, and equally it’s very important to make sure we have a good season and maintain momentum as individuals to get a better outcome for the nation.”

Friendlies for Jamaica

Jamaica are yet to confirm any friendlies ahead of their World Cup tournament. The Reggae Warriors kick-start their campaign on Sunday October 16 against Ireland at Leeds’ Headingley Stadium. They will also face New Zealand and Lebanon in the group stages.

However, Ashton has teased that there could be a confirmed fixture for his side ahead of the World Cup.

“We had a few friendlies lined up and a couple fell through,” he said. “It’s important equally to get together as a group. If we get a friendly that’s great, but if we don’t it’s equally important that we still get together and go through systems and how we want to be and create that kind of vibe.

“There’s maybe none announced yet, but maybe some on the horizon.”

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