The Edward B. Beharry Group of Companies has extended its support of the senior national rugby teams ahead of this weekend’s Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens Championships in Barbados.
Eight-time Caribbean Men’s Seven champions, Guyana’s ‘Green Machine’, will depart today (Wednesday) for Barbados with the hope of winning their ninth title in the two-day event.
Helping them offset their more than $7M budget for the event is long-standing supporter, Edward B. Beharry Group of Companies, who made the presentation on Tuesday at the Charlotte Street branch.
Brand Manager, Monique Tiwari, told the gathering that the company continues to be impressed by the performance of the rugby teams, and they will only continue to improve as Beharry continues to support.
President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union, Peter Green, spoke of the significance such support will have on a cash-strapped Union and how the partnership in the past has fostered the development of young players.
Down to the business of whether they can overcome new nemesis Jamaica, who defeated them in the 2017 final and knocked them out of 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games, and win the title, Head Coach Sherlock Sam, said “yes it is possible to win the title.”
He also said that more preparation would have been better, but the work prior to departure and the couple days in the island will have to be enough to get them well-oiled.
For captain Dwayne Schroder, much is at stake in this tournament regarding making amends for the recent heart-breaking and historic clash with Jamaica.
Commenting on some of the new recruits entering the team, he stated they will have to hit the ground running and the experienced guys like himself have to pass on the information as they look to play “fearless rugby.”
The 12-man squad reads: Dwayne Schroder (captain), Avery Corbin, Vallon Adams, Rickford Cummings, Richard Staglon, Ronald Mayers, Osei Mckenzie, Lancelot Adonis, Jamal Angus, Claudius Butts, Peabo Hamilton and Patrick King. Manager is Troy Campayne.
Female squad: Alicia Mentore, Collette Hope-Rutherford, Sasha James, Coletta Dublin, Latoya Cordis, Carrin Carter, Alana Fraser, Shennel Daniels and Andrea Lashley. Shabola Grey (Coach), Lacretia Blair (Physio) and Petal Adams (Manager).
The two-day tournament will see the winners being eligible for the 2019 Hong Kong Sevens qualifier tournament and two teams advancing to the 2019 Pan American Games. RAN teams will also be looking ahead to the 2020 Olympic Games qualification.
