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Solomon making a difference in Tortola

Jan 07, 2011 Sports

By Rawle Welch
Former national rugby coach Sherlock Solomon, who recently returned home for the Christmas holidays took time out to have a chat with Kaieteur Sport about his new assignment in Tortola, a member of the British Virgin Islands where he is the Rugby Development Officer.
Solomon, who is in his third year on the island, having gone there in 2009 is one of the most successful coaches guiding Guyana to three of its five NAWIRA and NACRA titles told this newspaper that the sport on the island is played mainly by expatriates from England, South Africa and even Argentina.In comparing the standard of the sport with Guyana, Solomon said that the gap currently is large, but envisioned that with the support the sport is getting from the IRB, corporate sponsors and the government, it might not take them long to close the gap.
“Our problem mainly is the difficulty to retain players because you see the game is now catching on among the locals and when the ex-pats feel to move on to a next country they just pack up and leave so there is always a void left by their exodus,” Solomon informed.
The ex-pats according to him usually originate from countries that play the sport at the highest level so there is this knowledge and skill base, but the urgency now is to get the locals to gravitate to the sport which has been happening since his arrival.
“The sport is now enjoying a substantial amount of funding from IRB as an associate member, while the business community including Digicel and the government have all been very supportive,” Solomon said.
He disclosed that the sport is now part of the school system and participation in tournaments has risen over the past year and the students are eager to be involved.
Solomon indicated that there is clear evidence that the sport is gaining momentum on the island and gave as an example the fact that in 2009 nine schools participated in the school tournament, but last year saw some thirteen schools entered.
He stated that apart from the ex-pat problem, the other challenge is to change the culture on the island where sports such as basketball, boating, skipping, sailing and football are among the most popular and it is a fight to elevate rugby.
He, however, revealed that he is satisfied with the progress made so far and is optimistic that the island could produce quality players in the not too distant future.
Solomon represented Guyana from 1980-97 and played under the captaincy of former national player Aubrey Medas, while he became coach of Caribs.

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