GRFU wraps up fruitful meeting with Sport Minister
Led by its President Ryan Dey, the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) on Tuesday met with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue, and they engaged in fruitful discussion on the way forward for the sport.
It has been the first meeting between the two since Ramson became the Minister for Sport back in August, 2020.
Minister Ramson Jr told the GRFU delegation that Rugby has been listed as a “core sport.” He said core sports are his Ministry’s priority, and would receive financial assistance.
Sport Minister Charles Ramson is flanked by members of the GRFU delegation20
President Dey informed the Minister of the current state of the rugby pitch in the National Park, and requested that it be properly fitted to accommodate rugby once again.
The ground had been earmarked for rehabilitation by the former Director of Sport but was neglected, and heaps of mud were dumped on the ground in 2016.
Minister Ramson promised to conduct a site visit with the aim of reforming the rugby pitch. He also requested a Memorandum of Understanding between the GRFU and the National Parks Commission for use of the ground.
Dey also underscored the intention of the GRFU to decentralise Rugby from Georgetown, stating that plans are in the pipeline to establish rugby clubs in Linden and Berbice.
Minister Ramson reminded of the construction of the multi-purpose complex in Linden, saying it “may be of use” to the GRFU.
Ramson insisted that there should be a nursery in every sport association/union in the country. The GRFU president noted that there is a current system of youth training in rugby, but revealed that funding hinders exponential expansion.
Minister Ramson Jr assured the union that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport intends to forge a partnership to elevate Rugby in Guyana. To this end, he urged for there to be a “National Tournament” to showcase the sport.
The GRFU team at this meeting included President Ryan Dey; Senior Vice President Joshua Griffith; Secretary Terrence Grant; Sevens Coach Theodore Henry, and Female Coach Kenneth Grant-Stuart.
