Rugby team upbeat despite heavy defeats

The St Vincent and the Grenadines team (SVG) team to the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens regional tournament, held in Trinidad and Tobago, November 22-24, 2024, at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima, is not daunted by the heavy defeat suffered.

In fact, officials say that Rugby in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is better served from the outing. The Vincentian contingent failed to win a match, losing to Curacao, 31-0; the Dominican Republic 46-0; Turks and Caicos, 25-0; and in the semi-finals, to the Dominican Republic 34-0; and third place Turks and Caicos, 25-5.

“Our players showed great heart, and we’re only going to get better.

This tournament has been a crucial learning experience for us, and we are focus on building for the future”, head coach,Justin Tittle told SEARCHLIGHT.

Likewise, President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Rugby Union (SVGRU), Dellon Durrant underscored the positives.

“While it’s always disappointing to fall short of a podium finish, I am incredibly proud of how our team performed. The tournament also provided valuable exposure for the team and the St Vincent and the Grenadines Rugby Union, fostering connections with other Rugby unions and organisations across the region while continuing the union’s efforts to develop and expand Rugby in the country.”

The players who were part of the sojourn to Trinidad and Tobago included Dugal James (captain), Paul Kirby, Cornelius John, Richard Morris, Kevin Cain, Tijani Peters, Sydroy Bentick, Jaiden Da Silva, Jonte Bowens, Dimitri Samuel, Benson Nanton and Bazid Delpesche.

Apart from the head coach, the management team comprised Brian Alexander, Manager; medical personnel, Frankie Joseph; and Wayne Pantor, a Trinidadian, the Technical Director.

St Vincent and the Grenadines competed in Tier Two of the tournament, alongside Turks and Caicos Islands, the Dominican Republic and Curacao.