They did it for the sixth consecutive time

Nov 15, 2011 Sports

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By Rawle Welch
They are the best in the Caribbean, they’ve played on the international stage against some of the best exponents of Sevens rugby time and again, but yet at home after all their achievements, they still suffer the indignity of being one of the least recognized or even respected sporting teams.
The men’s national rugby team has once again made Guyana proud by winning their sixth consecutive North American & Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) title in Barbados over the weekend.
The manner in which they achieved yet another crown was even more astounding since they conceded just two tries in the entire tournament which might very well be another amazing accomplishment for a team that has truly become a dynasty.
There are not many teams in the history of sport that would have achieved so much with little recognition. One may have to search real hard and long to come up with a team that has achieved similar results with little if anything to show for its regional greatness.
Much of the blame must be attributed to the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), who many feel have done a poor job of marketing the significant achievements of the team. Simply put, they’ve not been aggressive and vocal enough to adequately promote the team’s successes, while the Government’s support and generosity has been plainly laughable when compared with what is given to other disciplines with lesser credentials.

This team of hard working athletes has time and again proven that given the right kind of support they could achieve satisfactory results even on the international stage and one only have to recall their memorable 12-12 draw in the IRB World Sevens Series against 2011 World Cup finalists France after leading until the dying moments of that  game.
This great bunch of athletes not only deserves praise, but more tangible rewards for their individual and collective dedication and commitment to the sport.
These guys do not enjoy the comfort that many of the other teams they play against are afforded, they have to work whilst training and very often many of them are seen running to practice sessions even after being selected to the national squad in preparations for regional and international engagements.
There is no encampment, while there is not even the look of a national set up with players looking rather scruffy, a far cry from the way other national teams are displayed even in practice sessions.
National identification not only serves to enhance patriotism, but it also instills in a player (s) the feeling of importance and builds self confidence, prerequisites for teams and athletes to do well.
This team, despite all the adversities it faces, always conjures up the will and fortitude to prove the critics wrong and it is because of some of the apparent challenges it faces and continually overcome that makes it deserving of not only support to travel to compete, but just as in the case of many other disciplines, personal financial and other related support.
Long gone are the days when athletes are just content on representing their country, time has evolved and more and more world governing bodies are looking for ways to compensate athletes for their dedication and performance as in the case of amateur boxing which has moved to financially reward boxers competing at the World Championship.
This sport is one of the few that Guyana could seriously boast about being the best in the Region, but the athletes who participate in it cannot brag about being even marginally rewarded for their efforts.
The indifferent mind-set of those with the power to change the fortunes of these dedicated athletes must be transformed if not they should do the next best thing which is to demit office and allow those with the administrative capacity and the corporate clout to take office and stop the chronic abuse of the players for their personal benefits.
It is becoming increasing clear that our athletes need the kind of representation that WIPA provides for our cricketers and until that happens they will continue to be exploited by self serving administrators whose main purpose is to hold on to power for the benefits derived.
The current scenario within the rugby fraternity needs to change, it is the one sport that no other Caribbean country could come close to challenging our obvious supremacy and it is the sport that the other countries readily identify us with, but sadly, this is not the case in our own homeland.
It is truly amazing how these guys continue to dominate the sport regionally when you consider all the missing components that are associated with high level coaching such as a basic notebook and pen or a blackboard and marker or even a proper facility for training. It is indeed a remarkable feat by these athletes.
How they do it is just a mystery. Everything about their training regimen is second class to all the other territories. Sometimes you wonder if there is any long term planning, but time and again, the guys just go out there and get the job done efficiently.
Here is a team that has been to the World Cup of Sevens Rugby on a few occasions, but no talk of land or financial offer has been promised by anyone, but yet they go on the field and keep the ‘Golden Arrowhead’ flying high for many years now.
How insensitive.
Breaking news, the team has now qualified to compete in the Hong Kong Sevens World Series, the most prestigious of the lot. Will they now have to struggle once again for support to participate in high level warm-up games and airfares to get to the tournament?
Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, Kaieteur Sport extends congratulations to the team for its outstanding performance once again.

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