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Who else will stand up for these national gladiators?
By Rawle Welch
Their exploits in the Sevens format is legendary, having won seven NACRA titles to go with some encouraging performances at other international Sevens tournaments against some of the top exponents in the sport.
Green Machine Ronald Mayers (with ball) seen during an offensive drive against Barbados at the National Park.
However, the respect and promotion is far less celebrated, but somehow they seem unfazed by the shabby treatment which ironically appears to fuel their motivation to keep the ‘Golden Arrowhead’ flying high.
The national rugby squad could be labeled somewhat of an enigma, how a group of athletes could conjure up the fortitude to consistently perform at the level they perform with so little support from all and sundry.
This team has repeatedly shown what could be achieved at the highest level if the level of support simply matches their determination to do well.
They have time and again defeated teams that are offered times over far more assistance than they are given over the past decade, but still many of the players are right where they started except for a few who have grasped the opportunity to ply their trade overseas.
As a sportswriter who has had the privilege to be close and personal with many of the teams
The national rugby team acknowledges the fans during a lap of honour last Saturday following their win against Barbados.
over the period of their dominance to hear the lament of support not matching their sacrifices is really hard to understand, especially when you know it is the truth.
This team is 100% home grown with many of the players coming through the schools programme at the same time and sticking together ever since which is ample testimony to their commitment to the sport and by extension the country.
They are serious and proud ambassadors who rarely ask for anything substantial, but when you hear stories of players struggling to purchase a pair of boots to play at the regional and international levels and previous instances of disheveled appearances it clearly shows that not much attention is being paid to these exemplary ambassadors.
There is no other example of a national team with such outstanding accomplishments being treated shabbily here in Guyana and every stakeholder with responsibility for the development and promotion of our sports icons should shoulder the blame.
They include Government, corporate entities the Guyana Rugby Football Union and the Guyana Olympic Association.
These entities could very well say that they’ve added their bit, but their contributions are really crumbs when compared to countries that this team has beaten over the years.
The team has started its 2016 campaign to regain the 15s Rugby Americas North Championship and this crusade also includes a berth at the 2019 World Cup.
Barbados was the first country to feel the might of our ruggers after suffering a lop-sided 48-17 defeat with Jamaica slated to be next up.
Our performance, while it was impressive, was not as overpowering as previous years and word around the camp pointed to the team not meeting the desired level of fitness due to the late commencement of preparations.
Barbados is the easiest of the three countries we will play in our Zone with defending champions Trinidad and Tobago anticipated being the toughest of the lot.
It therefore means that the level of preparations will have to step up and this obviously entails a longer period of encampment supported by adequate financial backing, failing which, only the ‘big’ hearts of the players might pull us through.
Jamaica is usually not as tough as T&T that is considered our main arch rival, but recent reverberations indicate that both of these teams are receiving solid support from their respective governments and corporate entities and these two components make the world of difference between success and failure.
The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is for the Government to lead in such assistance since it encourages the corporate sector to get on board meaningfully.
Our next engagement is scheduled for May 21 right here in Guyana and with our Golden Jubilee celebrations already in swing a victory by the men commonly referred to as the ‘Green Machine’ could be a premature birthday gift for this nation.
Let us all rally around these true national gladiators as they seek to make us proud once more.
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