The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) is extremely elated that the National men’s team, the “Green Machine”, managed to win their eight Caribbean Championship last weekend in Trinidad and Tobago at the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Championship.
The team powered its way to the finals but fell to Canada by a 52-5 margin. However, by virtue of the team being the highest placed Caribbean team, they won the championships and qualified for next year’s Hong Kong sevens.
President of the GRFU, Peter Green, at a press conference on Thursday felt that despite the good showing by the team, the focus now must be on playing consistently at the international level if they wish to really dominate world rugby.
Green stated that “in my opinion Guyana rugby will not benefit unless you play more in the international circuit; we cannot improve by beating the same teams every year in the Caribbean”.
The GRFU head also alluded to the need for more high level coaching despite the local coaches doing a highly commendable job.
He said the country needs to have experienced foreign coaches to gear the players for what is to come on the international stage.
In the interim, it was disclosed that head coach of the men’s team, Kenneth Grant Stuart, could be headed to New Zealand for a coaching course but that will be dependent on whether the union acquires the necessary sponsorship.
Manager Robin Roberts echoed similar sentiments as Green, by stating that “We are the number one team in the Caribbean but the when you look at the score line against Canada we clearly see we need more international experience”.
Meanwhile, the head coach Grant-Stuart felt that the team needs to start developing the younger generation of players if they are seeking long term success since the older players will not be around forever.
In that regard, the coach said that these players must be exposed on the international circuit as much as possible and the union could explore playing in South American tournaments.
On the other hand, the female team, which finished fifth overall in the Championships and fourth in the Caribbean after winning the “bowl final” against Bermuda, is seen as one which can challenge for title next year.
Head coach Theodore Henry said “I was happy with the performance since it was not where you started but where you finish; wining four out of six matches, only losing to the number one and two seeded teams, I feel we will challenge for title next year”.
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