Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) president, Leslie Figaro, yesterday acknowledged the contribution of the local media for what he has described as one of the best attendances at a national rugby team game in recent years. The attendance record for an international rugby game remains the 1996 TT vs Chile match at the Queens Park Oval. "The media's response to the game raised the positive profile of rugby. The crowd would have been modest by West Indies cricket and the T&T football standards. But from a rugby perspective it was an excellent turn out." Figaro publicly thanked the St Mary's College for granting the TTRFU use of a facility that met the demands and requirements of the Rugby World Cup agreement.
"I am delighted that Bob Latham, North America and Caribbean Rugby Association( NACRA) president and an International Rugby Board ( IRB) executive committee member saw for himself what T&T has to offer." Figaro credited the T&T team for what he choose to describe as a "workmanlike" victory with significant potential for improvement. "The fact that we won added to the ‘feel good’ factor. I am confident that we can build on Saturday's positives. We will very shortly be launching a new marketing and promotion plan that will include a re designed website and a social media and digital technology initiative. I am very excited about the future of rugby here."
Figaro said both the national men and women's coaches have a mandate that includes the 2015 Rugby World Cup, 2013 Sevens Rugby World Cup, Caribbean championship, the CAC, Pan Am, Commonwealth and Olympic Games. "Our aim is to be the best rugby nation in the region. And to do that we have to build a culture of excellence."
Source: www.guardian.co.tt