James Phillip, Agboola Silverton, Tariq Cheekes and David Gokool have all been selected to make their debut for T&T in the DHL North America Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Men’s and Women’s Rugby Sevens Tournament. The prestigious event will kick off at Garrison Savannah, Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday. Three women: Talieh Wilson, Alyesha Bruce and Kathleen Stephen were also selected to debut in the women’s national sevens team. Stag Trinidad Northern player, Adam Frederick will remain with the captain’s armband, while team regulars, Jonathan O’Connor, Graeme Alkins and Joseph Quashie has also been selected to appear in the two-day tournament.
The squad which ranges from players 18 years to veterans, was described by chairman of selectors Curtis Nero as a “continuation of the T&T Rugby Football Union’s (TTRFU) focus on players who display the discipline, dedication and desire required at the international level.” “I am encouraged by the fact that some of the established players have responded positively to our demand for greater commitment, discipline and fitness,” said Nero. He said that some of the choices were difficult to make as several players remain unfit due to injuries. Nero suggested that while the preparation programme in the run up to the 2016 Rio de Janiero Olympic Games, continues to “bear fruit” in terms of the challenge of the younger players filling the spot of the their more experienced colleagues, a balance between youth and experienced players must be established.
He said that some of the choices were difficult to make as several players remain unfit due to injuries. T&T sevens debutantes Cheekes and Gokool played a significant part in the Harvard set-up which saw both the Championship and under-19 teams finish runners up in the respective divisions. Nero said that he expects the young players to “grab their opportunities.” The teams have been selected by the committee consisting of Nero, Stacey Cateau and head coaches of the respective clubs in the Championship and Senior divisions. The men’s team is placed in Pool D along with Guadeloupe and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Bahamas, which was also seeded in the group has withdrawn from the tournament. The women’s team will face Cayman Islands, Maple Leafs, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Guadeloupe in Pool B. Defending champions and five time winners of the men’s championship, Guyana, are in Group A with the British Virgin Islands, St Lucia and Curacao. The teams will leave on Friday and return on Monday.
Players
Women's Team: Latoya Edwards(Aranguez Romans captain), Jenilee Limada(Royalians), Alyesha Bruce (Royalians), Juilana Straker (unattached), Tenisha Samuel (Royalians), Kerdesiah Cooper (Royalians), Taliah Wilson (Royalians), Dalia Jordan-Brown (Royalians), Nicolette Pantor (Aranguez Romans), Ayana Skeete (Royalians), Ebony Young (Royalians) and Kathleen Stephen (Aranguez Romans). Simone Andrews-Nero (Coach). Joy Rodney-Wilkes (physiotherapist)
Men’s Team: Adam Frederick (captain, Northern) Wayne Kelly (Harvard), Jonathan O'Connor (Northern), Kelson Figaro (Royalians), Graeme Alkins (Caribs), Joseph Quashie (Harvard), James Phillip (Royalians), Agboola Silverton (Rainbow), Kurt Quashie (Harvard), David Gookool (Harvard), Tariq Cheekes (Harvard), Keishon Walker(Tobago). Larry Mendez (head coach), Peter Bacchus(asst coach) and Curtis Nero(team manager).
Men's Pool A: Guyana, St Lucia, British Virgin Islands and Curacao
Men's Pool B: Jamaica, Barbados, Martinique and Turks and Caicos
Men's Pool C: Mexico, Cayman, Bermuda and USA South
Men's Pool D: Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, Guadeloupe and St Vincent and the Grenadines
Women's Pool A: Guyana, St Lucia, Mexico, USA South and Barbados
Women's Pool B: T&T, Jamaica, Cayman, Maple Leafs, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Guadeloupe.
Source: www.guardian.co.tt