Rugby-playing youths from the Virgin Islands will get to compete in the Dominican Republic next month thanks to fundraising efforts.
James Morris, the national coach at BVI Rugby, hailed the efforts of sporting enthusiasts in the territory who helped pay for a squad to go overseas at the end of May.
Various money-making events, including a wine tasting at Myett’s in Cane Gar-den Bay earlier this month, will help fund the trip.
Mr. Morris said he hopes the under-19team’s overseas encounter will help spark more international interaction for the VI in rugby.
“The player pathway starts with development in schools with children and young adults learning and enjoying the game be-fore feeding into and working alongside the local community, with the end goal being to develop club and national players to represent BVI rugby in international tournaments and fixtures,” Mr. Morris told the Beacon.
Sevens project
Mr. Morris said he has been developing a rugby sevens project for youngsters since recently arriving in the territory.
“We now have an under-19 team up and running with a tour to look forward to in the Dominican Republic end of May,” he said. “This is a development weekend with Dominican Republic and Bahamas U19’s also attending.”
The squad will be in the Dominican Re-public from May 30 to June 2.
“As their coach, I’m really proud of these boys and their commitment to training as a team,” he said. “We are progressing week to week and really looking forward to the tour to Dominican Republic.”
Mr. Morris said he hopes residents will support other overseas tours after the Dominican Republic trip.
