ene.11.2007
Trinidad and Tobago Rugby will enjoy a resurgence in 2007 that is the bold prediction by Brian Lewis the TTRFU Secretary.
T&T Rugby has fallen from grace,dislodged from the number one ranking in the Caribbean by Guyana and Jamaica at various levels.Lewis though is convinced that T&T Rugby is on the way back.
"The signs are there that we are coming out of the transistion period that followed the retirement of a number of players from the National team in the last six years.More importantly the Schools Union introduction of New Image rugby has sparked a resurgence of interest in rugby in the schools "
The TTRFU also has a Youth Development programme that is bearing fruit."That programme is bringing to the fore untapped talent outside of Port.of.Spain and environs.We now need to further the work in deep South,Toco ,Sande Grande to name a few areas.Our emphasis in the coming years will be the communities it is the backbone of our development programme. Tobago is going to be a very important part of our plans"
In addition the TTRFU is developing the next generation of local coaching talent with the appointment of eight Youth Development Officers.(YDOs).
The TTRFU official acknowledges that there are those in the local rugby fraternity who have a more pessimistic view ."There are those who see the defeats against Guyana and Jamaica as the benchmark.I can understand and respect their perspective.But to be fair Guyana and Jamaica deserve their success.They are doing what needs to be done.They are unearthing fast,strong and powerful athletes who have tremendous national pride and desire with a work ethic that is second to none"
In Trinidad and Tobago rugby is in an uphill battle with football,track and field,basketball,volleyball and cricket to name a few for the athletic talent needed to make a mark in modern International sport.
But the TTRFU is forging ahead undaunted in the belief that their sport just has to work harder,be more innovative and creative in marketing and promoting itself."It is a physical contact sport to play it and enjoy it you have to be unafraid of physical contact.Not everyone,no matter how talented is cut out for that."added Lewis
The TTRFU will soon launch its first ever strategic marketing and promotion plan that includes among other things getting the sport shown on local television.
Rugby will be centre stage come later this year when the IRB Rugby World Cup takes place in Paris,France.
By then T&T would have participated in the Caribbean Rugby Championships.The Under 18s will be held in Cayman Islands in July.While the men and women senior National teams will have to travel to Cayman in late August for the Senior 15 Championship.
The TTRFU will have to foot a significant bill but the local Rugby Union has already meet with the Ministry of Sport with a view to securing financial assistance towards this country's Caribbean Rugby Championship obligations.
Curtis Nero the TTRFU Treasuer revealed that it will cost the TTRFU approximately 1.2 million TT dollars to participate at all four Caribbean Championships in 2007 included in that estimate is the Caribbean 7s Rugby Championship which will be held in Bahamas in November.
Nero who is also the TTRFU Chairman of Selectors is confident that the TTRFU will raise the required funding.
"Those tournaments are critical in the context of our development plans and objectives of qualifying for the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the Rugby World Cup 7s final in the next three years and our intention to regain the Caribbean number one ranking and a NAWIRA top three ranking behind Canada and the USA this year."ended Nero.