Rugby America’s North (RAN) Regional Development Manager (RDM) Scott Harland along with ‘Get Into Rugby’ Coordinator, Kwanieze John are currently in Guyana to assist the Union in several areas.
The pair which has visited these shores on numerous occasions will also coordinate a Level One Course starting today.
According to the Harland, their visit is to assist the continued development of the sport locally and to build on the performances of the national team by exposing more youths to the game along with structural assistance to keep talent in the sport.
Said the Canadian, “We’re here to help the union address the structure behind that [Development of the sport], the foundation of the game, the youth that are playing, the coaching and refereeing that is delivered to the broader programme here in Guyana.” Starting today, RAN through the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) will commence level one courses for coaches and referees. The coaching programme will be conducted today, while the refereeing courses will be held tomorrow. Both will take place at the YMCA on Thomas Lands from 9:00hrs.
Harland then gave some insight on the course. “It’s a World Rugby coaching course that will prepare people for coaching contact rugby, the full game, the 15s aside game. We know 7s is the model in the Olympics and a popular one here, but 15s is the fundamental game that we play and that’s where we start off.” He noted that the same applies for the referee course, being a World Rugby course, and in addition to that, the duo will be working on a union review and a strategic plan for the sport locally.
John, who was here last August commented, “We were really happy that some of the teachers (during the last year) have taken up the sport and will be a part of the level one coaching course, and it’s really about providing that additional support that they will need with that visit.”
President of the GRFU, Peter Greene noted that the Union is happy for the review. He disclosed, “Right now, the base is purely volunteers. We can’t afford to pay people as much and we are hoping that with the love in their heart, that some people take the training to the other Regions.”
