Guyana’s male and female rugby outfits will step up preparations as they prepare for the Central American and Caribbean Games Sport Organization (CASCO Games), Americas Rugby Challenge 15s Championships and the RAN Sevens Championships.
According to a release from the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), these tournaments will serve as qualifiers for the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru.
The men’s team forms part of the Guyana Olympic Association contingent to the CASCO, formerly the Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Games while the Sevens team is billed to depart July 29 for Barranquilla, Colombia to play in the eight-team championship before returning on August 4.
The shortlisted players made up mainly of the 2017 finalists who lost to Jamaica but will unavoidably be without the services of three of its main players; Rickford Cummings, Dominic Lespierre and Vallon Adams due to work commitments.
President of the GRFU, Peter Green is expected to serve as Manager of the team. Shortlisted players asked to report to Coach Lawrence Adonis immediately. They are Dwayne Schroeder (Captain), Richard Staglon (Vice-Captain), Claudius Butts, Patrick King, Avery Corbin, Peabo Hamilton, Ronald Mayers, Jamal Angus, Godfrey Broomes, Rondel McArthur, Osei McKenzie, Lancelot Adonis and Ryan Gonsalves.
Americas Rugby Challenge
Arguably the biggest challenge of their history to date, Guyana will be participating in the newly formed Americas Rugby Challenge. They will lock horns with the top tier of their group featuring the likes of World ranked USA (15th) and Canada (21st), Argentina (8th), Uruguay (18th) and Chile (29th).
Guyana world ranked at (48th) play Paraguay (40th), hosts Colombia (41st) and Mexico (54th) who were chosen over Trinidad and Tobago (52nd), over a one-week duration with rest period of three days apart on August 25th, 29th and September 2nd.
With this in mind the national selectors have released a long list of players from whom the touring party of 29 will be selected. Names listed are asked to submit Passport and registration details to the Union’s Secretary, Petal Adams. Clubs can uplift forms on behalf of their players. Players listed are asked to report to Coach Kenneth Grant-Stuart and Assistant Coach Olsen Olivierre. Unlisted players are welcome to present themselves for training and possible selection.
The shortlisted players are Rondel McArthur, Ryan Gonsalves, Dwayne Schroeder, Kiefer Lopes, Rickford Cummings, Patrick King, Phibian Joseph, Delroy Gordon, Avery Corbin, Lloyd Anderson, Jason Tyrell, Cloyd Prowell, Lancelot Adonis, Jose Felicien, Sean Phillips, Daniel Anderson, Elwin Chase, Dillon De Abreu, Joshua Griffith, Peabo Hamilton, Joseph Rahaman, Jacques Archibald, Ronald Mayers, Cyon Kitt, Reign Dey, David Grant, Glenroy Poole, Godfrey Broomes, Kevin McKenzie, Kurt Hunte, Jamal Angus, Dillon Downer, Aluko Venture, Osei McKenzie, Ahmad Isaacs, Troynton Braithwaite, Osafo Selman, Lonsdale Browne, Telroy McAlmont, Claudius Butts, Daniel De Abreu, Vallon Adams, Michael Barrow, Richard Staglon, Rashad Butcher, Kevon David, James Osbourne, Allain Crawford, Shaquan Williams, Akeem Frazier, Lionel Holder, O’Neil Charles and Grantley Williams.
RAN 7s Championships and Pan Am Qualifiers
The 2018 RAN Sevens Championships set for September 22-23 in Barbados will be attended by both the male and female teams. The GRFU would like the women’s team to commence immediate training under the eyes of Coaches Theodore Henry and Sabola Gray. Training will also be in preparation for the 2019 Women’s 10s Championships. Overseas-based, former national and potential players of Guyanese heritage not listed and interested in making the team are asked to be registered.
Women’s List: Alana Fraser, Natasha Andrews, Alicia Mentore, Collette Hope, Sasha James, Cloetta Dublin, Shonette McFarlane, Lotoya Cordis, Mandy Browne, Cindy Fraser, Tricia Munroe, Carrin Skeete, Carrin Carter, Ashanti Carrington, Kean Andrews, Nicole Nero, Helen Jervis, Alicia Blackman, Tiffany Pilgrim, Olana Reece, Andrea Lashley, Calanda Morrison, Ronesha Cornelius, Melissa Perry, Tamera Cameron, Sheriah Melville, A. Wilson, O. Grant and D. Josiah
Under-18 and Under-20 continue training
The National Junior teams continue training under the watchful eyes of National Coaches Adonis, Grant Stuart and Olivierre for upcoming international tournaments along with engagements with both Caribbean and South American teams. A Domestic league featuring the players is expected to commence in October and conclude in December.
