GUYANA’S ‘Green Machine’ continue to prove they are the best in the Caribbean. This was most evident when they carted off their eighth Caribbean 7s over the past weekend. This is according to president of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) Peter Greene, who was at the time addressing a post-tournament briefing at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) headquarters in Kingston.
He said, “Guyana won the Caribbean segment for the eighth time last weekend but I personally feel the level of the opposition is not improving,” leading to the notion that the unit must compete with those in the wider world if they are to move ahead in the rankings.
Guyana, who finished runners-up to Canada after losing 52-5 at the overall final, must move past their regular Caribbean opponents.
“This is a very troubling feature. We aspire to be like Canada who scored 175 points and only conceded five, but in my opinion Guyana’s rugby will not benefit unless we have the opportunity to compete regularly on the international circuit. How do you improve against teams you beat year after year, you are not improving.”
After finishing as one of the top two teams in the tournament, the local males have also won the option to compete in Hong Kong, but after that thrashing at the hands of the Canadians, it is obvious that a lot more is needed to be among the world’s finest.
“What is needed now is support,” the rugby boss contended, with an eye towards new sponsorship grounds while adding, “We also need a high performance coach.”
“RAN also has to recognise that Guyana need opportunities to not only play in Hong Kong but in the Las Vegas and Vancouver 7s, we should be given that opportunity too because we would need adequate preparation,” he said.
He, however, thanked Edward B. Beharry Group of Companies who chipped in for this tournament with $1.5M, the Guyana Olympic Association ($1.2M) and the government of Guyana (airport tax waiver and transportation).
He also thanked the coaching staff of the male and female squads.