GRFU begins prep for international engagements

Guyana’s ruggers will kick off their international engagements for 2018 in the next two months as they prepare for the Casco Games, Americas Rugby Challenge 15s Championships and RAN Sevens Championships.
These tournaments will serve as qualifiers for the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru.

Casco Games
The men’s rugby sevens team form part of the Guyana Olympic Association contingent to the Casco Games. The sevens team are billed to depart July 29 for Barranquilla, Colombia to play in an eight-team championship before returning on August 4.
The shortlisted players, comprising mainly the 2017 finalists who lost to Jamaica, will be without the services of three main players – Rickford Cummings, Dominic Lespierre and Vallon Adams due to work commitments.
GRFU President Peter Greene is expected to serve as Manager of the team. Shortlisted players asked to report to Coach Lawrence Adonis immediately are Dwayne Schroeder (Captain); Richard Staglon (Vice Captain); Claudius Butts; Patrick King; Avery Corbin; Peabo Hamilton; Ronald Mayers; Jamal Angus; Godfrey Broomes; Rondel McArthur; Osei McKenzie; Lancelot Adonis; Ryan Gonsalves and Philip Barrington (Physio).

Americas Rugby Challenge
Arguably the biggest challenge of their history to date, Guyana will be participating in the newly-formed Americas Rugby Challenge. They will lock horns with the top tier of their group featuring the likes of world-ranked USA (15th); Canada (21st); Argentina (8th); Uruguay (18th) and Chile (29th).
Guyana, ranked at 48th, will play Paraguay (40th); Colombia (41st) and Mexico (54th), who were chosen over Trinidad and Tobago (52nd), over one week with a rest period of three days after each game on August 25 and 29 and September 2.
With this in mind, the National Selectors have released a long list of players from whom the touring party of 29 will be selected. Persons listed are asked to submit passport and registration details to the Union’s Secretary, Petal Adams. Clubs can uplift forms on behalf of their players. Players listed are asked to report to Coach Kenneth Grant Stuart and Assistant Coach Oslen Olivierre. Unlisted players are welcome to present themselves for training and possible selection.
The shortlisted players are Rondel McArthur, Ryan Gonsalves, Dwayne Schroeder, Kiefer Lopes, Rickford Cummings, Patrick King, Phibian Joseph, Delroy Gordon, Avery Corbin, Lloyd Anderson, Jason Tyrell, Cloyd Prowell, Lancelot Adonis, Jose Felicien, Sean Phillips, Daniel Anderson, Elwin Chase, Dillon De Abreu, Joshua Griffith, Peabo Hamilton, Joseph Rahaman, Jacques Archibald, Ronald Mayers, Cyon Kitt,
Reign Dey, David Grant, Glenroy Poole, Godfrey Broomes, Kevin McKenzie, Kurt Hunte, Jamal Angus, Dillon Downer, Aluko Venture, Osei McKenzie, Ahmad Isaacs, Troynton Braithwaite, Osafo Selman, Lonsdale Browne, Telroy McAlmont, Claudius Butts, Daniel De Abreu, Vallon Adams, Michael Barrow, Richard Staglon, Rashad Butcher, Kevon David, James Osbourne, Allain Crawford, Shaquan Williams, Akeem Frazier, Lionel Holder, O’neil Charles, and Grantley Williams.

RAN 7s Championships and Pan Am Qualifiers
The 2018 RAN Sevens Championships slated for September 22-23 in Barbados will be attended by both the Male and Female teams. The GRFU would like the women’s team to commence immediate training under the eyes of Coaches Theodore Henry and Sabola Gray. Training will also be in preparation for the 2019 Women’s Tens Championships. Overseas-based former national and potential players of Guyanese heritage not listed and interested in making the team are asked to become registered.
Women’s list: Alana Fraser, Natasha Andrews, Alicia Mentore, Collette Hope, Sasha James, Cloetta Dublin, Shonette McFarlane, Lotoya Cordis, Mandy Browne, Cindy Fraser, Tricia Munroe, Carrin Skeete, Carrin Carter, Ashanti Carrington, Kean Andrews, Nicole Nero, Helen Jervis, Alicia Blackman, Tiffany Pilgrim, Olana Reece, Andrea Lashley, Calanda Morrison, Ronesha Cornelius, Melissa Perry, Tamera Cameron, Sheriah Melville, A Wilson, O Grant and D Josiah.

Under-18 and Under-20 continue training
The national junior teams continue training under the watchful eyes of National Coaches Adonis, Grant Stuart and Olivierre for upcoming international tournaments along with engagements with both Caribbean and South American teams. A domestic league featuring the players is expected to commence in October and conclude in December.