– to head men and women 7’s programs

THE Guyana Rugby Football Union has announced Steven Lewis as the successor of Claudius Butts as head coach of both male and female 7’s teams.
Lewis was named USA Rugby Coach of the Year in 2016 and 2019 and led several USA Rugby Collegiate All-Americans teams.
He served as General Manager of 2022 Major League Rugby (MLR) champions Rugby New York and has coached Nigeria 7s and Jamaica 7s teams.

The coach’s first assignment will be the country next regional 7’s campaign set for November 22-24 in Trinidad and Tobago.
Head of the GRFU Ryan Dey say this is the man for the job with his vast experience, adding, “He has coached many teams at a high level and he actually is the person that was coaching Jamaica just the other day and carried Jamaica to two finals and made them one of the most successful teams now.”

Dey is hopeful this coach will put Guyana on course to be rediscovering their form as regional powerhouses as they have a talented bunch of players.
“The Union thinks it is necessary to have somebody who has been to the top level because there is where we see ourselves for the next Olympics, we need to have somebody that has been there, somebody with that experience. Steve is a Level Three coach and he has coached all over the world and we are proud and happy to have him here for the couple of weeks leading into RAN 7’s.”
Lewis has hit the ground running since arriving in Guyana last week, working with the men’s team and as well as the women’s team which will make their re-entry to the regional competition after many years.

The regional 7’s, the GRFU head said is a qualifier for the 2028 Olympics, so they need the knowledge of a world-renowned coach who will work along with the local coaches.
The Guyana’s rugby team, once the envy of the region, has been in the doldrums struggling to add to their 7’s or 15’s titles of yesteryear.