Ian James was refereeing the School’s Touch Rugby Championship matches on Friday at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds and noticed that the players are getting better.

Teams from Cedar International School, St. George’s Primary, Enis Adams, Francis Lettsome, Ebenezer Thomas, Leonora Delville, Ivan Dawson and Isabella Morris competed in the annual tournament.

It was the second year that Mr. James has been a referee for the tournament.

“We are seeing a lot of enthusiasm this year,” he said.

According to the referee, the coaches have done a lot of training with the youth rugby players.

“The players are a lot more organised and they understand the rules more,” Mr. James said. “It has been very competitive and there has been a lot of fair play going on.”

Cedar A would win the tournament, after knocking off Francis Lettsome in the finals. The two teams are no strangers to playing in the championship game, according to BVI Rugby Development Officer Sherlock “Solo” Sam.

The championship game was tied at the end of regulation and more time was put on the clock to decide the winner.

It is the second time that Cedar A won the championship. The team faced Cedar B in the semi-finals, while Francis Lettsome advanced to the finals after beating Ivan Dawson.

“These teams have been in the programme for the past two seasons,” Mr. Sam said. “They have put in a lot of extra time.”

Mr. James noted that players aren’t the only ones getting involved with the youth rugby programme. Most of the volunteers, who coach or referee, are already involved with the senior team, including Mr. James.

“We like to volunteer our time to encourage youth rugby,” Mr. James. “It is definitely a worthwhile thing to do.”

Francis Lettsome Primary School physical education teacher Rawlston Henry was helping coach his school’s team. He admitted that he doesn’t know much about the sport, but is learning and  supporting the team as much as possible. During the week, a rugby coach visits his school and works with the kids during lunch.

“I am out here supporting them because last year [FLPS] was in the championships,” Mr. Henry said. “They didn’t have anyone coaching them. I did not know they were playing a rugby tournament.”

Mr. Henry, who goes by the nickname “Grandfather,” is known for being a track athlete. However, he doesn’t see the rugby threatening to the track and field programme or its athletes. In fact, he pointed to several track athletes that were competing on the FLPS team.

“You just put the ball in their hands and let them run. It is a strategy.” Mr. Henry said. “It is okay for them to play — it is just tag, not tackling.”

The only way youth players are going to get better is that they continue to train, keep a positive attitude and never give up, Mr. James said.

“It is good that kids have to work as a unit to succeed and achieve their goals,” he said. “It is a very healthy sport in that way.”

The tournament had a “good mix” of players no older than 13 years old. The girls and boys competed side by side in the tournament, something you don’t see very often in other sports, Mr. James said.

“It is nice to see a lot more girls playing this year,” he said. “This type of tag rugby is safe for both sexes to play on the same team.”

On July 9 there will be a four-day youth camp at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds. For more information call 340-2180.

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