Rugby team warming up for Hong Kong Sevens
The sevens squad with some of the youth players of Cayman Rugby
(CNS): As part of their tune-up for the Hong Kong Sevens tournament in April, the Borrelli Walsh Cayman Rugby Men’s Sevens squad will play a University of Michigan team at the South Sound pitch on Saturday, 27 February at 3:00pm. The squad will then head to Las Vegas to compete at an international sevens tournament 3-5 March, after which the final Hong Kong team will be selected.
Since qualifying at the regional IOC qualifiers in June 2015, the Cayman players have been preparing for the ultimate goal of representing the Cayman Islands in a world-class rugby tournament. Initially, the preparations involved playing against a variety of home-grown teams in Cayman sevens tournaments prior to committing to a strict practice schedule of Monday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings.
In addition, all players were requested to participate in strength and conditioning sessions. The medical team of Dwaine McGuiness, Chelsea Smith and Dr Sean Teeling advise the players on medical and fitness issues.
Team managers Steven Clark and Graeme Thomson have been involved in a variety of rugby squads and tours overseas and have known a number of the players from a very young age. Assistant coach Jovan Bowles, who played international sevens for South Africa, has been able to share his knowledge and experiences with the Cayman players. Lead coach Richard ‘Grizz’ Adams has been involved with the majority of players for more than 12 years.
The squad also noted the commitment of Cayman Rugby referees Dave Sherwin and Justin Colgan, as well as Peter de Vere, who has recorded the games for the coaches to review.
The team has undergone four months of intense training where there has been a tremendous focus on personal fitness, player decision making and skills execution, Clark explained, to prepare for the upcoming international competitions.
Clark also spoke of the cohesiveness of the group. “One of the really pleasing aspects of this squad and the management is that there is a real sense of belonging and a positive culture amongst everyone and a strong belief in the playing potential,” he said.
“There have been many valuable experiences and challenges in the past for a number of these players against very high level competition. They have always performed with great effort, skill and honour in representing Cayman and I am sure this will continue against Michigan University, also while in Las Vegas and ultimately in Hong Kong.”
Borrelli Walsh, which is the platinum sponsor of the Cayman national team, is also a principal sponsor of local Hong Kong rugby clubs, USRC Tigers and DB Pirates, and supporter of the Sai Kung Stingrays.
