Sevens team could qualify for Dubai – Nascimento

Oct 10, 2008 Sports

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By Rawle Welch
President of the West Indies Rugby Union (WIRU) and Marketing and Public Relations Consultant of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimento believes that Guyana Men stand an excellent chance of qualifying for the IRB Sevens World Cup in Dubai.

Nascimento, who along with President of the GRFU Noel Adonis, Senior Vice-President Robin Roberts, Head Coaches (Men) Sherlock Solomon and (Women) Alton Agard chaired a press briefing at Olympic House yesterday to report on Guyana’s preparation for the upcoming Championships NAWIRA Sevens Qualifiers in the Bahamas slated for October 25-26, expressed that sentiment on the basis of Guyana’s outstanding performances over the past two years where they’ve played unbeaten at the Regional tournament en route to back to back titles.

“Rugby is been viewed as a minority sport in Guyana, but in my opinion it should not be classified as that, judging from the results it was able to achieve over the past three years and the rapid improvement it has made,” Nascimento declared.

The usually straight talking Executive said that just a few businesses were willing to lend their support to the fraternity despite the huge success the sport has garnered over the years and this development has severely hampered the teams from having a higher level of preparation that could ensure positive results at the upcoming championships.

Nascimento disclosed that the GRFU had planned to engage a number of foreign teams including the USA in Florida and Barbados in scrimmages, but they fell through for various reasons, the main one being lack of adequate finance.

The team according to him need around $8 million to attend the tournament and apart from the assistance the IRB provides and a couple of local corporate entities, the general support have been poor.

That figure does not include the cost of preparation for the local members of the squad and other related expenditure.

“We’ve written President Bharrat Jagdeo, The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and 12 corporate entities and so far responses have only been received from three, two of which were positive and the other negative.”

Adonis in his presentation said that the teams’ participation in the championships is a continuation of the GRFU’s continued commitment to the sport in the region.

He spoke of the previous engagements which saw Guyana participate in the 15’s in the Cayman Islands, host the women’s segment and also attended the Under-20 Men in Barbados and it obviously took its toll on the treasury of the Union.

He commended the players who’ve all made a brave effort to prepare for the engagements, adding that it is testimony to their commitment to the sport.

“It shows that the tournament means a lot to them and they’ve responded by coming out and taking the sessions seriously,” Adonis indicated.

Adonis also outlined the format of the tournament which will see 11 teams vie for the top two positions in the Men’s draw, while 9 countries line-up in the Ladies competition. The top seeds in both competitions are the USA and Canada.

PREPARATION-
Reports were heard from the respective coaches about the local contingents’ preparations and both agreed that their charges have shown tremendous heart and commitment to the sessions and commended them for that.

SOLOMON-
“The preparations are going satisfactorily, but my main concern continues to be the late arrival of the overseas-based players. I must say that the locally-based players’ team spirit is high and their work ethic extremely inspiring and from a Coach’s point of view, I’m satisfied.”

AGARD-
“Two weeks ago we started some scrums, line-outs and game simulations and I am very impressed with the performance so far.

The girls are around 85% fit meaning there is still some room for improvement, but I remain optimistic that the whole level will be achieved before we depart.

The girls have all made huge sacrifices some having to juggle work and family, but they’ve stood up to the challenges and it is only a matter of going out on the field and getting the job done,” Agard said. He added that they are mentally and physically prepared.

Meanwhile, overseas-based Ronald Mayers arrived in the country and Richard Staglon, Claudius Butts and Theodore Henry are expected in on Monday.

The others Kevin McKenzie, Rupert Giles and USA-based Mark Webster arrivals have not been confirmed as yet.

The squads will be selected on October 19 shortly after the appearance of Canadian Spencer Robinson, who will assist in the teams’ preparations and also travel as Technical Adviser. Robinson is expected in on October 17.

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