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Sep 13, 2008 Sports
By Rawle Welch
The Guyana national men’s rugby squad preparing for the upcoming NAWIRA Sevens Championships in the Bahamas from October 25-26 continued to intensify preparations with another inspiring session which was held under the guidance of Coach Sherlock Solomon and assisted by Clinton Clarke Thursday, at the National Park.
Solomon speaking shortly after the conclusion of the session informed Kaieteur Sport that they’ve now entered the next phase of their preparation which has now taken them outdoors after one month of strengthening exercises at the Michael Parris Gym in the National Park.
The National Coach revealed from the original squad of 30 players, it has now been reduced to 22 including a few who are based overseas.
Solomon said that during the current period, they will be focusing on sharpening the individual skills of the players and will also participate in a lot of game simulations on the weekend which he referred to as an important aspect in the preparations.
Guyana is the defending champions having won the title back-to-back in 2006, ’07, in Barbados and the Bahamas respectively, but Solomon cautioned that at those tournaments the USA and Canada, two very strong teams did not participate.
“However, they are scheduled to compete at the upcoming championships, so we have to prepare at our level best if we hope to maintain our supremacy,” Solomon pointed out.
Asked about whether he is satisfied with the progress shown so far by the players, Solomon said that most of them were responding positively, while a few were getting to the level of peak fitness.
“Fitness and speed are important features in Sevens rugby and a few players will have to show more intensity as the sessions continue,” Solomon mentioned.
He lauded the efforts of former Under-20 players Satesh Samaroo Cloyd Prowell and Peobo Hamilton, all of whom he indicated have joined the senior ranks and performed well.
He added that a couple of players are nursing injuries among them being West Indies standout Albert La Rose and Christopher Singh, while Troy Arjoon’s attendance has been affected by work commitment.
Meanwhile, the Coach said he is hoping that his overseas-based players get the opportunity to return by month’s end so that the team can get to practice together and have one focus.
Those based overseas are Richard Staglon, Claudius Butts, Theodore Henry, Ronald Mayers, Kevin McKenzie and Rupert Giles.
According to Solomon, they are still awaiting word on whether McKenzie, who plays in Ireland and Giles, who lives in England will be able to attend the tournament.
It was also disclosed that another Guyanese Mark Webster from the USA has informed the Guyana Rugby Football Union that he is interested in returning to represent Guyana during the competition.
The local-based players are: P. Hamilton, Elwin Chase, Jason Tyrell, Algernon Felix, Dwayne Schroeder, Ryan George, C. Prowell, Clyde Montouth, Dane Parks, S. Samaroo, T. Arjoon, C. Singh, Leon Greaves and A. LaRose.
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