Guyana names strong team for NACRA title defence

Jul 29, 2010 Sports

Central American & Caribbean Gold Medallist Guyana has named a strong 12-man squad with six reserves for today’s commencement of the Men’s segment of the North American & Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Championships today, at the National Stadium.
Director of Sevens Guyana Mike McCormack during a press briefing which was held yesterday at the Games Secretariat at Princess Hotel released the names of the following players who will represent the defending NACRA champions and they are: Claudius Butts (Captain), Richard Staglon (Vice-captain), Theodore Henry, Dwayne Schroeder, Rupert Giles, Ronald Mayers, Walter George, Dominic Lespierre, Christopher Singh, Ryan Gonsalves, Dane Parks and Kevin McKenzie, while the reserves are Troy Bascom, Elwin Chase, Leon Greaves, Avery Corbin, Ryan Hinckson and Peabo Hamilton.
Forward Walter George has been included in the original squad and he comes in at the expense of Elwin Chase.
Speaking at the briefing, Technical Director Joe Whipple emphasized the importance of this tournament which according to him by most respects is more significant than the CAC, adding that it could even be more keenly contested due to the incentives at stake.
The tournament qualifies the winner with the opportunity to represent the Caribbean at the Pan Am Games in Mexico next year, while it also makes them eligible to compete at the next IRB World Sevens Series scheduled for Las Vegas, USA.
Quizzed about the fitness and the mood of the team, Whipple in his response said that there were a couple of areas that needed to be addressed, but reneged from disclosing those, while the mood in the camp is relaxed and positive.
He spoke of the importance of being provided the opportunity to expose the entire team during the previous competition which allowed them to stay fresh and without any serious injury.
Manager Robin Roberts in his remarks paid recognition to the other players who were very supportive to their colleagues throughout the tournament and the fans though small in numbers, but extremely vocal in their support.
Nascimento then sought to remind everyone that this is a brand new tournament with three new teams in Barbados, St. Lucia and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and everything to play for.
Guyana is placed in Group A along with the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and St. Lucia, while Group B contains Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, Mexico, Barbados and the BVI.
The champions open up against beaten CAC finalist Jamaica, who no doubt will be going all out to stop the rampaging regional juggernauts.
The opening game which commences at 10:00 hrs is between Bahamas and Mexico and that will be followed by the clash between T&T and Barbados.
*****************************

GTM pumps up GABBFF ahead of Senior’s on August 29

Makes cash donation
The Guyana & Trinidad Mutual Fire & Life Insurance Company with a motto of being Sound, Solid and Reliable, is the first corporate entity to support the Guyana Amateur Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation (GABBFF) for their Senior Championships set for August 29 at the National Cultural Centre.
Yesterday at their Robb Street Main Office, Customer Service Supervisor Prandai Sugrim handed over a cheque to GABBFF Treasurer Travis Peters who is also a GTM employee.
Sugrim in brief remarks stated that the company is very happy to be on board with the Federation for the first time and has promised to continue this support.
“We at GTM uphold in a very strong way health and fitness and encourage our employees to live healthy lifestyles and exercise. We are well aware of the tremendous benefits that this brings to the overall lives of our employees, society and by extension, our country.”
The best athletes in the land, male and female will collide for the title of Mr. and Ms. Guyana on Sunday August 29 at the National Cultural Centre.
Athletes have been preparing rigorously for what is anticipated to be a keen contest.