Womens rugby action.

The Cayman Islands Rugby Football Union (CRFU) has announced its squad of 12 to compete at the NACRA (North America Caribbean Rugby Association) Sevens in Mexico City on 14-15 November 2009.

The CRFU announcement follows the conclusion of a six-week selection process under coaches Philip Fourie and Jason Scarff, attended by 16 players who had been shortlisted for selection.

Led by Captain Joanne Ziegler, the X107.1 National Sevens team is a solid mix of experience, speed and strength with veterans Lisa Kehoe, Sumari Naude and Sinead Wagner ready for another Sevens tournament.

The team features eight players making their first international Sevens cap including Bernadette Beckles. Beckles is no stranger to the sport of rugby, having played successfully at the University of Connecticut for 4 years. She returned to the Cayman Islands in early 2009 and has been a welcome addition to the rugby programme, having recently been named Vice Captain of the Cayman Islands’ 15s team. Rounding out the squad are Latoya Bariffe, Lisa Bird, Emily Davies, Loletta Hanna, Rowena Lawrence, Kadie-Ann Miller and Jane Robson.

The selection for the team was an intense process that focused on fitness levels, ball handling skills and game awareness.

The women regularly practiced three days per week and were encouraged to maintain a fitness program on their non-practice days. Fourie remarked that the recent trial games were probably the most intense that players have experienced in recent years. “Having played successfully in build-up games in the local LIME Sevens Tournament in October, I think that the Team is the best prepared yet,” he said.

Of the 6 teams set to take part in Mexico City, the Cayman Islands have seen the most rapid rise in the Caribbean rankings and look to the NACRA Sevens as their next stage for improvement. “The team we will be travelling with have some good 15s experience under their belt, which will help to ease nerves when they step on the pitch. The next critical level of experience for these players is in the Sevens field and we are confident that our training will lead to great improvements over last year’s performance,” remarked Captain Ziegler.

The Cayman Islands team will arrive in Mexico City on 13 November to prepare for the grueling two day tournament.

Continuing fundraising and training will take place until that time and supporters are encouraged to come support the women at the Sound Sound pitch during their Saturday games.

For more information on the Women’s National Team and their upcoming events, please visit http://www.caymanrugby.com/womens.html.