nov.11.2009
In recent years Guyana has dominated 7s Rugby in the region. The current Caribbean 7s champions will be expected to mount a succesful title defence when the 2009 North America and Caribbean Region Sevens Championship gets underway in Mexico City this weekend (November 14-15).Both the men's and women's tournaments will take place simultaneously throughout the weekend. Trinidad and Tobago beaten men's finalist last year will depart T&T on Thursday for Mexico. Due to financial constraints T&T will not be represented in the women's division this year.The men's tournament will also be the regional qulifier for the 2010 Central America and Caribbean Games, The top 5 teams from the men's tournament will qualify. The number one Caribbean team will qualify for the 2010 Commonwealth Games scheduled for Delhi,India.For the visiting teams, playing at altitude will be a challenge . Mexico will fancy their chances of winning the tournament.
Trinidad and Tobago team manager Curtis Nero expects the Calypso Warriors to surmount the challenges posed by playing at altitude for the first time .
" The team selected is an experienced one. We had to make some difficult choices.But in the end I am confident that the players are up to the task.It is four years since we last held the Caribbean 7s title. Guyana and Jamaica have dominated the 7s version. We are the current 15s Riugby champs.But it is 7s that is the Olympic Sport."
Nero acknowledged that with CAC and Commonwealth Games qualification at stake. The T&T players will have to dig deep as the stakes are high
".'I believe that discipline,courage,composure and determination will be the deciding factors. Mental toughness is going to be key.Guyana,Jamaica and Mexico will fancy their chances.But no team should be discounted. Cayman Islands,Bahamas and Bermuda will be no push overs" added Nero
Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) president Leslie Figaro expressed his confidence in the players and the technical staff.
"Self-belief. The players have the talent and potential. The Ministry of Sport supported by bringing in Murray Roulston from New Zealand to assist Rhett CheePing( National Senior Team Coach). Rhett is unavailable due to work commitments. John Williams came in as the interim coach.The players have trained hard. I see no reason why we should not be confident."
Anton Celestine ,a member of the historic T&T U 19 team that qualified for the 2002 IRB U 19 World Championship,makes his senior team debut.
The T&T Team is:Adam Frederick(Trinidad Northern), Kidane Silverthorn(Rainbow) ,Abdeel Giles(Caribs) ,Matthew Marine(Rainbow) ,Jason Clark(Caribs) ,Felicien Guerra(Royalians/UTT) ,Kurt Quashie(Caribs) ,Kelson Figaro(Royalians/UTT) ,Andre Cabera(Caribs/UTT) ,Graeme Alkins(Caribs),Anton Celestine(Rainbow) ,Mark Hamilton(Rainbow) -
Curtis Nero – Team Manager , Murray Roulston -(New Zealand)Technical Director,John Wiliams(Caribs)-Coach Rajesh Dharrie-Maharaj (Physio)
The T&T team leave for Mexico City on Thursday 12 November and will return home on Tuesday 17 November.
On Thursday the team will assembly at the University of the West Indies (UWI) from 11am for a team meeting and light training session before heading to the airport for their scheduled 5pm departure.
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