Caribbean Rugby 7’s champions seeking more international exposure
The National Rugby team, the Green Machine over the past weekend won their eighth Caribbean Men’s seven’s title but though it certainly it was a moment for all the team to celebrate they were concerned faces as they looked ahead to the future stating they need more international exposure if they will become a more dominant force in world rugby.
After leading another route in the competition for the eight time, the union feels it is time the team plays more tougher opponents (Ash Allen Photography)
President of the Guyana Football Rugby Union (GRFU) Peter Green at a press conference on Thursday made the suggestion as he compared the fact that Canada scored 175 points while on five were scored against them in the entire championship.
Green stated that “in my opinion Guyana rugby will not benefit unless you play more in the international circuit; we cannot improve by beating the same teams every year in the Caribbean”.
Playing in Trinidad and Tobago over the last weekend, the men powered their way to final where they fell to Canada by a 52-5 margin. However, by virtue of the being the highest placed Caribbean team, they won the championships and along with Jamaica qualified for the next year’s Hong Kong sevens.
The GRFU head expressed also alluded to the need for more highly level as despite the local coaches are doing a highly commendable job, the country needs to have experienced foreign coaches to gear the players for what is to come on the international stage.
In that sense Green said he is currently lobbying for support from the Argentines who had recently loaned Guyana a scrum specialist for more support.
In the interim, it was disclosed that head coach of the men’s seven team Kenneth Grant- Stuart could be headed to New Zealand for a coaching course but that will be dependent on whether the union acquires the necessary sponsorship.
Manager Robin Roberts shared similar sentiments as Green as he stated that “We are the number one team in the Caribbean but the when you look at the score line against Canada we clearly see we need more international experience.”
Roberts added, ” the guys played well, it was a bit disappointing in the score line against Canada but maybe the team was a bit tired because the game against Trinidad which went into overtime.”
Meanwhile, the head coach Grant-Stuart felt that the team needs to start developing the younger generation of players if they are seeking long term success since the older players will not be around forever.
In that regard, the coach that these players be exposed on the international circuit as much as possible and the union could explore playing in South American tournaments.
Notably, Grant-Stuart made the comparison that the teams Guyana continue to dominate have superior facilities for training and far more funding and if the same emphasis could be placed on Guyana t their performances would only improve tremendously.
On the other hand the female team which finished fifth overall in the championships and fourth in the Caribbean after winning the “bowl final” against Bermuda is seen as one which can challenge for title next year.
This is the contention of their head coach Theodore Henry who stated that “I was happy with the performance since it was not where you started but where you finish; wining four out of six matches, only losing to the number one and two seeded teams, I feel we will challenge for title next year”.
Marlin Patternella Assistant Brand Manager at Edward B. Beharry, was also present to give their appreciation of the team stating that the company’s pleased to be associated with the team and urged both teams to look at the positives as they improve their performances.
In closing Green thanked the entity for their support along with that of GTT and the Government of Guyana which gave the team tax waivers.
The GRFU head then pleaded for more support from the corporate community since they have the results to show their success and the players are in dire need of the support.
The next planned assignments for the team will be the Commonwealth Games in November after which they go to the Hong Kong Sevens in late March or early April.
