Sports
Junior Rugby Easter Extravaganza
Junior Rugby players train for international tourament.
The Cayman Islands Rugby Club will be hostinga Junior Rugby Easter Extravaganza as part of its youth developmentprogramme.
"The outstanding performances by the Cayman Rugby NationalJunior team, in Bermuda last Easter, have attracted a number ofsides to Cayman for a festival of rugby this Easter coming,"said Derek Haines, manager of the junior rugby team.
He add that two sides, Bishop Shanahan and Downington from Pennsylvania,will arrive on the 10th April and the Ontario Provincial under18 side arrives on the 14th April. "All sides will play eachother in what promises to be the strongest test yet for the youngCayman side," Mr. Haines
In preparation, Cayman will play games against a Dallas side,which arrives on the 18th March for a week, followed by a shorttour to Boston for weekend games against two college sides. Withan end-of- season tour planned for Alberta, Canada, this seasonpromises some 10 or 11 games against foreign competition, whichshould prove a great experience for all concerned.
"We intend to build towards putting in a side for the worldunder-19 qualifying championships in 2003", Mr. Haines stated.
"This year's games should provide a solid platform on whichto develop the side into one strong enough to compete at thatlevels. We hope to encourage potential players to join the squad,as a bigger pool will enhance the capabilities. For instance,the Ontario side has over 1,000 genuine under-18s to chose fromand, consequently, provides the bulk of the Canadian team.
"Presently our team is made up of players aged 14 -17 years.However, an indication of the talent available is the selectionof last year's captain, Richard Tressider for a trial with theEnglish Eastern Counties after making the team for Wymondham Collegein his first year there," Mr. Haines said.
A recruiting drive to increase the present 25-strong pool willcommence shortly with Director of Rugby, Richard Adams and CoachBrendan Touhey approaching the senior and high schools.
The entire programme is reliant on sponsorship and thanks go toAndro Electric, Burger King, Cayman National Bank, Cayman ScreenPrint, Coutts, C.I.B.C., Island Air, Meespierson, Scotiabank andTrans Ocean Trust for their support over the years.
Play continues every Saturday at the South Sound pitch, with under-13s at 8.30 a.m. and under-18s at 245 p.m. All are welcome.