Guyana’s National Rugby Sevens team which is the fittest named will be embodying their homeland at the Pan Am Games in Mexico on October 28 and 29.The team which comprises of twelve players will depart Guyana tomorrow, Monday17 October at 6:00am and return on the 31st to prepare for the North American Caribbean Rugby Association Championships which is slated for November 11 and 12 in Barbados.
In an invited comment about the team’s preparations and improvements for their upcoming game, Mike McCormack the Director of the Rugby Sevens, informed Kaieteur Sport that the team’s final practice game which was played in the National Park Rugby ground yesterday was an opportunity for local and overseas based players to play together.
“The game today was not of high intensity, it was mainly for the players to unite and combine forces as a team since it’s their last training session in Guyana before their departure.”
The selected National players will continue their training in Mexico within the ten days span before the games with Canadian based coach, Spencer Robertson.
The Director of the Rugby Sevens declared to Kaieteur Sport that the team will also have a few practice matches with other teams which are not in the same pool with Guyana to enhance their experience and preparation for the games.
“We will also have practice games with one or two other teams that are not in our Pool, which is a standard part of the preparations for the tournament of which Mr. Robertson have arranged with Brazil and Chile.” McCormack added that it will be a plus for Guyana to win their Pool which comprises of Argentina, Uruguay and Mexico since Guyana is now rated the fifth in American rating of Rugby. Argentina is the first then followed by United States of American, Canada and Uruguay.
McCormack expressed his gratitude to the Fitness Coach, Barry Browne for his efforts made in preparing the players that will be representing Guyana at the International Meet.
McCormack confirmed to Kaieteur Sport that the team is fittest ever complied in any sports in Guyana; “…I think they are the fittest that have ever left Guyana in any sport…our average running beep test presently is thirteen and over, some of the players are fourteen and two are fifteen and this is as professional as we can get in fitness.”
The players in the National squad are as follow: Ryan Gonsalves (Captain), Walter George (Vice Captain), Breon Walks, Vallon Adams, Dominique Lespierre, Dwayne Scolder, Richard Staglon, Rupert Giles, Kevin McKenzie, Claudius Butts, Leon Greaves and Ryan Mayers. Theodore Henry will be the Manager/Assistant Coach while the Physiotherapist is Arianne Manger.
Source: www.kaieteurnews.com