Local Sevens players to train in Fiji

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Stuart McMillan is one of the young players who will attend the training camp in Fiji.

The sport of rugby has certainly shown massive growth in the Cayman Islands over the last couple of years. As part of the drive to grow the game, six young Caymanians will take the trip of a lifetime on 18 July, thanks to the Maples and Calder Rugby Sevens Academy. The group of players attending the training camp will be composed of Jonathan Doak (26), Joshua Clark (17), Justin Vasquez (16), Michael Mandersen (16), Kramer Bell (17), and Stuart McMillan (18).

The promising young rugby players will accompany coach Vanassio Tokatokavanua back to his home country, Fiji, where they will have the opportunity to train with the internationally renowned Fijian Red Rock rugby team. The lucky six, ranging in age from sixteen to twenty six will spend six weeks learning key ball and tactical skills in the country that was recently titled Rugby Sevens World Champions. Vanassio commented "Whilst I am sad that the trip home marks the end of my present time in Cayman, I am excited about showing my young Caymanian friends the wealth of opportunities my country has to offer, both on and off the pitch. The standard of rugby I have seen in Cayman, and the enthusiasm for the sport, is really encouraging and I am confident that the six will come back from the trip stronger and more confident players." Richard Adams, Technical Director of the Rugby Club said, "The training will be rigorous with three sessions a day for six weeks but there is no doubt that the experience the boys will come away with will be invaluable. Fijian Rugby Sevens is amongst the best in the world and we are so grateful to our sponsors Maples and Calder and HSBC for giving Caymanian rugby players the opportunity to train there."

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