The BVI Rugby Football Union is preparing for a weekend of action as Curacao arrives for the NACRA Championship Qualifying Game, which will be played at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds on February 15 at 6:00 pm.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow's key game, Coach Sherlock 'Solo' Soloman reminisced that when he first came to BVI four years ago, he asked the guys at the club when will they actually play rugby.
"Here was me as the Rugby Development Officer and after 6 months and change, we still didn't have a game. I was coaching in the schools, both primary and secondary, but it was difficult to get the message across as apart from the odd navy ship full of English sailors, we didn't play too much and there wasn't much rugby on TV," Solomon pointed out.
He recalled that if the BVI wanted games, they had to go far.
"Now I am pleased to say BVI Rugby has a weekend where we have three visiting teams and a very important game tomorrow at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds against Curacao. It seems that rugby in the BVI and also rugby in the Caribbean is getting more organised, which is great for us," Solomon also stated.
He stated that rugby is in the 2016 Olympics, so the sport is on the up and teaches youngsters respect and a set of values which are relevant in all societies, regardless of race, color or creed.
According to Solomon, once they get the result against Curacao, they should have a fun day of rugby on Saturday against St. Thomas and Princeton University Flying Tigers, all of whom are bringing squads of 25 players to the BVI to play rugby.
"The guys have trained hard so we hope they play hard and make all the BVI proud. Make sure you all come down and support. Look out for Under 19s Melvin Knight, Rory Thornton and Austin Kiel, who will represent BVI tomorrow, as well as Andrew Simmonds who has just turned 50 and is still one of our fittest players," Solomon stated.
Match Day Squad
Clinton Hempel, Andrew Simmons, Adrian O´Neill, Edward Vasquez, Federico Zicari, Andrae Adams, Vivieon Harry, Patrick Dennis, Jimmy Peters, Dustyn Molver, Jerome Springette, Donovan Staple (captain), Thomas Chapman, Austin Kiel,Franklyn Victor, Lester Hamer, Damion Brown, Jeavan Thompson, Simon Knight, Rory Thornton, Melvin Knight, Frank McGing.
