A confident 22-man outfit departed Guyana yesterday to compete in the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) under-19 15s tournament which kicks off today in Trinidad at the Fatima College Ground, Mucurapo.
“We are confident that we will do ourselves and our country proud” skipper Godfrey Broomes told Stabroek Sport minutes before departure. “Our team trained hard and we are hoping to excel in this tournament”.
Before departure, Head Coach, Laurie Adonis also reiterated that the aim for the local ruggers is to win the Trophy Competition and graduate to the top tier, where Guyana once dominated, for next year’s tourney.
This year’s tournament which concludes on July 13 will see a record number of teams competing; hence there will be a division similar in fashion to the IRB U20, with a Cup competition for the top tier teams and a Trophy competition for the less celebrated teams in the region.
The format of the tournament was decided on last month and the Cup competition or Group A consists of the top Caribbean outfits like the reigning champions, Cayman Islands, Bermuda and Jamaica, and Group B consists of T&T, Mexico and Barbados.
The trophy tournament for the lesser established U-19 teams in the region such as the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), Guyana, St Lucia and T&T President’s 15, the last of which was invited to replace recently withdrawn team The Bahamas. The T&T President’s 15 will comprise the second-best squad of T&T players.
Today, Bermuda will tackle Jamaica and the host will take on Mexico; July 7 (tomorrow) – TCI versus T&T President’s 15 and Guyana versus St Lucia; July 8 – Cayman versus Jamaica and Barbados versus Mexico; July 9 – TCI versus Guyana and T&T President’s 15 versus St Lucia; July 10 – Cayman versus Bermuda and T&T versus Barbados; July 11 – No matches – development and planning session workshop.
On the final two days, July 12 – TCI faces St Lucia and T&T President’s 15 tackles Guyana then on July 13 – the finals, third in Pool A versus third in Pool B, second in Pool A versus second in Pool B and first in Pool A versus first in Pool B. The Guyana squad reads: Broomes (Captain), Kevin Joseph, Osafo Selman, Trevaun Selman, Trevion Selman, Orande McDonald, Telroy McAlmont, Trayton Braithwaite, Shakelo Brumell, Floyd Sealey, Shemar Profitt, Kevin Abbensettes, Mario Mootoo, Kelvin Kyte, Carlito Lewis, Grantley Williams, Alastair Walker, Loranzo Forde, Medainie Asmi, Sam Sukul, Shameer Fraser and Michael Daniels.
Along with Adonis, Peter Campayne (Manager), Troy Yhip (Assistant Coach) and Joseph Rahaman (Assistant Manager/ Physiotherapist) accompanied the team.
