Over a decade ago, Guyana’s National Women’s Rugby Team was among the best in the Caribbean region. Now the team is non-existent, but according to the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) President Ryan Dey, this will not be the case for much longer.
GRFU President Ryan Dey
On Friday, it was revealed that the GRFU is working assiduously to facilitate the resuscitation of the Women’s National Rugby Team, which has been dormant for some years now. President Ryan Dey, in revealing plans to construct a national women’s team, highlighted that the project is one that is close to his heart, and will be receiving his full attention.
“When it comes to Women’s National Team, this is something that is close to my heart. Because 1, we have a society where we have a lot of women playing sports and don’t get the exposure they deserve. I’m going to say personally, if you want to pay a sport, or if you want to be recognised, Rugby is the sport for you,” Dey shared.
“We have a small pool that we pick from, so if you want to be active, try Rugby,” he advised.
While some may view the contact sport as ‘rough’, Dey has no intention to throw the female prospects into the deep end of the pool, but rather to start with tag rugby.
The GRFU President explained, “We’re now trying to have non-contact Rugby. This has been the aim of intriguing women enough that they say, ‘Okay, Rugby seems easy, let me try contact’. So, by next month, you guys will see a revamp of the women’s programme. We’re not going to go fully into contact with the women, we going to have tag rugby, starting from tag rugby. From there, hopefully, we have women who say, ‘Okay, I’ve mastered this, let me move on to the next stage’,” he stated, upon elaborating.
Quizzed about how the team is likely to be constructed, Dey informed of the various pools from which national women ruggers could be drawn, with the assistance of overseas based players.
“From the Academy, we have about 35 women between the ages of 16 and 19, which is a good start. Coupled with the players, I think we have, like, another 20-something from Guyana Defence Force that have shown interest, and we have some from the Police Force as well. With that, I think we have a good thing going,” Dey enlightened.
He added, “We also have some contacts, some women with Guyanese lineage from Canada, who are willing to come home and to help.”
Essentially, the GRFU President is adamant about the resuscitation of the team, as he expressed hope of the team returning to the top of the competition in the Caribbean.
“We’re trying to get to see as much games as they can with the national team, so expect a lot of Rugby from us locally,” he said about their preparation tactics.
Dey added, “We were once champions of the Caribbean with the women, so that’s something that’s close to my heart, and something that I would try to be the champion for the women. We need to help them to get back to the top.”
