There once was a time when Guyana ruled women’s Rugby in the Caribbean with an iron fist. Formerly known for their no-nonsense approach and toughness on the pitch, Guyana had the best 7’s Rugby team in the region.Winning the 2008, 2009 and 2010 North America and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) 7’s Championship was a tale of a team with immense potential but, for reasons unknown, the Guyanese women vanished from the International scene.

Sporadic sighting of the females at various men’s matches would spark conversations of what would’ve happened if they (women’s team) had stayed on course, while some would argue that the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) had failed them.

But, behind President Peter Green, the Women’s seven’s team was given another chance to reclaim their place at the top of the Rugby food chain as they now prepare for the NACRA Women’s Championship in June which also serves as qualifier for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Set for the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina USA on June 13 – 14, Guyana’s women will be aiming to add a fourth title to their list but yesterday, Head Coach Elwin Chase said presently, the team is on a rebuilding process with “some youngsters are now coming into the team and meeting with some old heads so we’re right now trying to integrate them and have them work as one. So far the team building is really extraordinary. I’m very excited just by seeing them working together”.

Chase, speaking to Chronicle Sport at the team’s practice session yesterday at the National Park Rugby Field added, that a practice match against Barbados in the Land of the Flying Fish is in the making for Easter Weekend which he says if it materialises, would give the coach staff a chance to see exactly how they stand ahead of the NACRA tournament.

A former standout player himself, Chase pointed out that the new players “have basic knowledge of the game but it’s just to get them comfortable, and understanding what they’re doing and how they are doing it, most of them are athletes so the physical nature will came as second nature for them but it’s just to get them understand how the game is played”.

Should Guyana’s women come out victorious at the NACRA 7’s championships or place second or third they then qualify for a playoff against similarly placed teams from the other Regional associations early in 2016.

Canada and USA are the main threats to Guyana’s success, but with the current placing of both teams on the world circuit there is a very good possibility that they may pre-qualify without having to participate at NACRA in June.

According to the GRFU, a cost of US$43,000 will be needed to send the women to the tournament.

The players in training are: Carren Carter, Tricia Munroe, La Toya Hamilton Cordis, Collette Hope, Nicole Nero, Natasha Andrews, Alicia Fortune, Shennel Daniels, Alicia Mentore, Carren Skeete, Sabola Gray, Andrea Lashley, Grace Jarvis, Princesa Wilkie, Vionette Profitt, Cloetta Dublin, Theresa Torres and Cindy Fraser.

(By Rawle Toney)