The BVI Rugby squad departed for Barbados today to take part in the 2011 NACRA 7 a side Tournament, playing defending Champions, Guyana, Curacao and St Lucia.

Sevens rugby is a fast and skillful form of rugby with teams of seven players aside competing on a full size pitch for seven minutes each way. This year, there are 15 men’s teams from within the NACRA Region as well as 11 women’s teams.

The BVI men’s side, sponsored by Digicel, is competing in a pool which will see them playing two-time defending champions Guyana as well as St Lucia and Curacao on Saturday, with the hope of qualification into the cup tournament on Sunday.

Andrew Simmonds the most experienced member of the squad

Newly re-appointed Captain of the team is Heath Copland and he has seen a marked improvement within the team over nearly three months of fitness training and practice.

“From when we started two and half months ago there has been a definite improvement, our team goal is to finish in the top 8. Last year we finished 9th so obviously we are looking for a big effort from the guys. Playing defending Champions, Guyana, will be a tough start, but given it’s the first game we will be fresh. We will respect them as they will us and if we can’t surprise them then we will be looking to be competitive and see what happens.”

Jimmy Peters has been picked for his first regional tournament and is playing scrum half for the first time “ I’m really looking forward to it and been working hard on my ball handling, making quick passes and getting the attacks flowing, I’m going to give it my all.”

Coach Sherlock Solomon, prior to arriving in the Territory to head the youth development programme, was the Guyanese national coach and he believes the BVI faces a tough test in their first game against his home country and a vastly more experienced side.

“We have nothing to lose, just to play some decent rugby. The plan will be to catch them on the hop, hopefully they will underestimate us. At this level of competition you have to respect all teams, but we expect to beat St Lucia and Curacao.”

The full squad is Federico Antonio Zicari, Alex Davidson, Heath Copland, Andre Adams, Charl Jacques Roux, Nicolas Recondo, Andrew Simmonds, Allan Gregory Boyd, Jerome Springette
Thomas Chapman, Jimmy Peters and Victor Franklyn

Internet streaming will be available courtesy of the tournament sponsor DHL at www.dhlnacrasevens.com A full playing schedule and results is also available at the NACRA website: www.nacrugby.com.