Rugby – Page 3

The Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay in the BVI

May 16, 2017 by Sofia Fay

Join in and share the dream of the Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay when it tours through your community in Tortola, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4, 2017.

Click here to read the itinerary and route of the Baton in the BVI.

For more information or to become a sponsor, please contact Sofia Fay by email at sofia@broadswordpr.com or by ‘phone on (284) 541 7845 or Cleave Farrington by email at cmfarrington@bviolympics.org or by ‘phone on (284) 494 6920.

Images of the Dheli 2010 and Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton Relays in the BVI

Filed Under: Archery, Athletics, Basketball, Cycling, Football, Gold Coast 2018 News, Rugby, Sailing, Softball-Baseball, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Uncategorized, Volleyball Tagged With: BVI Commonwealth Games Association, GC2018QBR, Gold Coast 2018 Queen's Baton Relay, Queen's Baton Relay

BVI Rugby Football Union out after quarter finals at 2017 Kowloon Tens Tournament Cup

April 10, 2017 by Sofia Fay

Source: Department of Information and Public Relations

The BVI Rugby Football Union team competed in Hong Kong’s 2017 Kowloon Tens tournament, advancing to the Cup quarter finals, before being knocked out in an extremely close game to Russian team Berdsk from Krasnoyarsk. Photo: BVI House Asia

“We met our goal,” said Stuart Cullen, Back Row Forward, speaking of the team’s performance, which was to advance further in the tournament than last year, when the team had a third place finish in Plate competition.

There was another metric the team exceeded this year: more players were involved in financial services than ever before. Cullen is Counsel at Harney’s in the BVI but on secondment in Hong Kong. Fergal McLoughlin, Back Row Forward, is a corporate lawyer at Harney’s in the BVI. Paul Christopher is Managing Partner, Hong Kong with Mourant Ozannes. Victor Amparo, Scrum Half and the 21-year-old captain of BVI’s national rugby team, works in corporate administration for SHRM. Noel Maxwell, the team’s 19-year-old centre, is studying finance and business administration at university in Canada.

Ms. Elise Donovan, Director,BVI House Asia, which sponsored the BVI Rugby Team, said: “We are delighted to have the BVI Rugby Team in Hong Kong representing us, and pleased that so many team members have financial services backgrounds. This is especially relevant as at least 40 percent of all BVI financial services business originates from China and the Asia Pacific Region.”

“For me, personally, it’s a very rewarding experience because I have never been to this part of the world before,” Maxwell said. “Seeing rugby on the other side of the world, how the guys communicate, the respect and friendships, it’s great to see. I’m grateful for this opportunity.”

Concluded Cullen: “I want to say a big thank you to BVI House Asia, Harneys, FTI Consulting, SHRM, EMCs, and Digicel who sponsored us once again this year, and to everyone, such as BVI Olympic Committee, who has contributed in getting the guys over here. For them, it’s the experience of a lifetime.”

Filed Under: Rugby Tagged With: 2017 Hong Kong Kowloon Tens Tournament, BVI Rugby Football Union

BVI team shines in Rugby Paradise Smash Collegiate Tournament

April 5, 2017 by Sofia Fay

BVI Rugby Football Union

BVI National Under 23 squad placed 3rd in Rugby Paradise Smash Collegiate Tournament 2017. Photo: Christine Nissen/BVIRFU

The BVI National Under 23 squad returned from an excellent display of rugby March 25 at the neighboring Rugby Paradise Smash in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands finishing in 3rd place but gaining much respect from their coaches and peers.

BVI lost it’s first match to US Stars in a 19 – 0 shutout. The lads showed a lot of grit but were overcome by the skills and organization of their American opposition.

With their bodies bruised but their spirits intact they went on to dominate Bowdoin College physically with the might of Kareem “Burger” Ettienne smashing through their defense on the way to the try line. Colin Beckham scampered through the defense to rack up his first points for the BVI in an excellent display of flowing rugby. Noel Maxwell picked up a try and scored 2 conversions out of 3. BVI ended the match 19 – 12 to pick up a much needed win and set them up for a match that could secure them a place in the finals.

Unconverted tries by Joseph Smith and Paul Oliver were not enough to take down Babson’s barrage of 4 converted tries and Babson College of Massachusetts took the win 28 -10.

With only 1 win out of 3, the BVI did not make the finals and took on Bowdoin for 3rd place. The young BVI lads were able to take the match 20 – 7 with Captain Victor Amparo picking up 2 tries along with big man “Burger” mowing down all in his path for another score. Noel Maxwell was also able to get on the score sheet with is own try. None of the 4 were converted.

Joseph Smith and Kareem “Burger” Ettienne were selected to the All Star Team.

BVI RFU are very proud of what our team did at this tournament and intend to continue building up our program to compete internationally and give our players as much exposure as they look to achieve.

Filed Under: Rugby Tagged With: BVI Rugby Football Union, Rugby Paradise Smash

SDA crowned 2017 U17 School Rugby champions

February 27, 2017 by Admin

Source: VINO

The SDA School (yellow) prevailed with a team containing many who had been involved since Primary School days. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

After a grueling day of competitive Touch Rugby action, the experienced Seventh-day Adventist School team held off a spirited challenge from the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies (VISTS), 2-0, to be crowned 2017 U17 School Rugby Champions.

Four of the five schools expected turned up to the E. Walwyn Brewley Softball Park for the latest edition of the BVI Rugby Union’s Schools Festival, which includes separate days for Primary as well as U15’s. The action was fast and furious.

Despite knowing the basics of the game, but with little experience of tactics, the boys and girls from all teams came up with ploys to amaze their rivals, with quick passing, lightning speed, dazzling displays of footwork and body swerves to showcase and showboat their abilities.

In the end, though, it was the SDA School that prevailed, with a team containing many who had been involved since Primary School days.

Their opponents in the final surprised many, including St George’s and Elmore Stoutt High School. The debuting VISTS team played against SDA giving them their toughest match, albeit ending in defeat.

“SDA have been dominating local Schools Rugby and it wasn’t a surprise that they won all their games today and were crowned Champions. It is the first season in Rugby for the VISTS team and were a young bunch who will progress in time. But even so, they gave SDA a good run for their money,” commented Rugby Development Coach, Sherlock “Sam” Solomon.

Solomon also made note that the day was a talent spotting occasion to build on the pool of players to represent the BVI Rugby Union at Regional Tournaments.

“We have lost a couple of guys from the U19’s and today showed there is a good bunch available to me, so I hope to get them all together on the same pitch at the same time and prepare for tournaments in the Caribbean.”

The Semi Finals had seen SDA romp to a 4-2 win over ESHS and VISTS outplay St George’s in sudden death extra time, 2-1.

Filed Under: Rugby Tagged With: BVI Rugby Football Union, BVI School Rugby Championship

BVIOC / CANOC complete 4th workshop in LTAD series – Periodization & Planning

February 14, 2017 by Admin

BVIOC LTAD Periodization Feb 2017 0463 The BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) in partnership with the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), Canada Sport for Life Society (CS4L), Canada Olympic Committee (COC) and Olympic Solidarity hosted the 4th Workshop on Long Term Athlete Development with emphasis on Periodization and Planning.

The two-day workshop which took place on February 9 and 10, 2017 at the Government Training Division Conference Room, focused on time management as a planning technique. It provides the framework for arranging the complex array of training processes (skill development, strength training, regeneration) into a logical schedule to bring about optimal improvements in performance.

The facilitator was Mr. Istvan Balyi of Sport for Life, Canada, a Planning and Periodization expert who worked with 17 different National Teams as a high performance advisor. He has led program development in the United States, South Africa, England, Ireland, Sweden and Bahrain.

On day one representatives of the six selected sports, Basketball, Archery, Track & Field, Rugby, Sailing and Football met with Mr. Balyi to analyze the work done so far on the Long Term Development of their sport.

Periodization & Planning workshop facilitator, Istvan Balyi addresses BVI sports representatives. Photo: BVIOC

The workshop was well received by the participants who represented the Basketball (3), Football (4), Rugby (2), Sailing (1), Archery (1), Track & Field (4), Volleyball (4), and Softball (2) Federations. Physical Education teachers (2) were also present. Also present was Mrs. Heida Joyles Selwood, the supervisor of Physical Education at the Ministry level

Raymond ‘Chi Chi’ Fonseca of Volleyball said “the presentation was awesome and enlightening. I have learned a lot about the importance of nutrition, mental and physical preparations of the athlete. I am now more aware of the concepts of burn out, over training, peaking and tapering”. He wishes that the workshop could be run again in the near future.

Supporting the comments of Raymond was Dwayne Rubaine also of Volleyball, “As coaches we need to be more prepared and this knowledge that we have received will foster better preparation of coaches and athletes that should lead to greater success.”

Jason Edwin of Basketball said “The information received leads us to realize that now is the time to get rid of a lot of misconceptions. Structure must be put in place and a national sport calendar is crucial to the development of the sport of basketball.”

Dag Samuels of Track & Field said that the information is very valuable for all coaches but it must be implemented and passed through a process of trial and error for success to be realized.

LTAD workshop coordinator, Angeleta Bernard introduces Ephraim Penn, president BVIOC (l) and Planning & Periodization expert and workshop facilitator, Istvan Balyi of Sport for Life, Canada. Photo: BVIOC

“The BVIOC continues in its quest to improve the sport practices of our coaches and individuals who are affiliated to Sport Federations in an effort to increase the nation’s podium finishes regionally and internationally,” said Ephraim Penn, President of the BVIOC.

The workshop was number 4 in a series of 5. At the end of the series the sports of Basketball, Archery, Rugby, Sailing, Football and Track & Field should have a document outlining the Long Term Development of their sport.

The coordinator Mrs. Angeleta Bernard was very disappointed with the turn out. “Some coaches designated by their Federation did not show up and having noted the enthusiasm of those present and the questions asked, the absent ones would have benefitted. However, I am confident that with implementation of the periodization plan, the sports that were present will add to the successes they have

Filed Under: Archery, Athletics, Basketball, BVI Olympic Committee, CANOC, Football, LTAD, Rugby, Sailing Tagged With: BVI Olympic Commitee, CANOC, LTAD, Periodization, Sport for Life Society of Canada

New and Big Moves for Rugby

February 10, 2017 by Admin

Source: BVI Platinum

Head coach of BVI Rugby team, Sherlock Solomon addressing the team.
Photo: BVI Platinum News

The BVI Rugby Football Union is now engaged in some new and big moves in efforts of meeting international requirements, as well as educating persons around the Territory about the game and encouraging them to join in.

In an interview with Mr. Sherlock Solomon, Development Officer for the sport in the BVI, he told BVI Platinum News that the union has organised a local domestic league, which sees the Territory divided into three teams.

As explained by Mr. Solomon, the three teams – West, East and Central, will go head to head in games twice per month.

This move is to assist the union in meeting the basic requirements of the International Rugby Board, which states that a country must have at least three teams. “We must have three clubs to maintain sponsorship and other assistance,” said Solomon.

Games have already commenced for the teams, with the next being on Friday, February 17 at the A. O. Shirley Recreational Grounds. Team West emerged as champions for the last two games played.

The union is also currently engaged in a Primary and Secondary School Tag Rugby Tournament. The tournament sees participation from children who fall in three categories – under 13, under 15 and under 17.

Filed Under: Rugby Tagged With: BVI Rugby Football Union

BVIOC set to host CANOC Long Term Athlete Development Workshop on Periodisation

February 7, 2017 by Admin

Group work at the launch of the Long Term Athlete Development and Physical Literacy workshop in February 2016. Photo: BVIOC

The BVI Olympic Committee will be hosting the CANOC Long-Term Athlete Development Workshop in Tortola, British Virgin Islands from Thursday, February 9 – 11, 2017.

The fourth workshop in the Caribbean LTAD series will be facilitated by Mr. Istvan Balyi of Canada Sport for Life Society.

The focus is on periodization which is time management as a planning technique. It provides the framework for arranging the complex array of training processes (skill development, strength training, regeneration) into a logical schedule to bring about optimal improvements in performance.

The workshop is offered to all sporting organisations and those involved in coaching sports.

The first session took place in February 2016 and covered the key factors pertinent to athlete development and the 5 basic ‘S’s of training and performance – Stamina (Endurance), Strength, Speed, Skill, and Suppleness (Flexibility).

The second session, which took place in May 2016, focused on discussing the project outlines in the areas of Sport, Health and Education that followed on from the first workshop.

The third session took place in September 2016. The interactive session on Physical Literacy address looked at the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life.

The Physical Literacy Workshops are supported by the Sport for Life Society of Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Health.

For more information contact workshop coordinator, Mrs Angeleta Bernard.

Filed Under: Archery, Athletics, Basketball, BVI Olympic Committee, CANOC, Football, LTAD, Rugby, Sailing Tagged With: BVI Olympic Commitee, Canadian Olympic Committee, CANOC, LTAD, Sport for Life Society of Canada

BVI Rugby 7s team returns from Trinidad as runners up in Shield Final

November 22, 2016 by Admin

Source: VINO

Big tackles helped the BVI to pick up a close win 17 – 12 against Turk & Caicos on Day 2 of the 2016 Rugby Americas North Sevens Championship in Trinidad. Photo: BVIRFU

A seven-a-side rugby squad, representing the Virgin Islands Rugby Union competed at the 2016 Rugby Americas North Sevens Championship in Trinidad and came home as runners up in the Shield Final.

The last game, a 5-0 defeat by the Cayman Islands, capped off a frenetic weekend of Rugby, which saw Canada win the overall Men’s Championship, with a 52-5 victory over Guyana.

All in all, 14 teams from around the Region took part and the VI’s first game was a 19-5 defeat to Bermuda and then, the eventual Champions then put up a winning score of 59-0, before the VI bounced back on Day Two with a 17-12 victory over the Turks and Caicos.

A place in just the Shield Final was confirmed when the Dominican Republic recorded a 12-10 win.

According to the Rugby Union, the team’s effort was assisted by leading World Rugby Sevens coach David Mays who visited the island for six weeks and helped train the squad.

Canada’s dominant performance in both the Men’s and Women’s divisions never relented and earned them both Cup titles. Only Guyana Men were able to score against the Maple Leafs and finished second in the tournament. Jamaica Women finished in second place standing with the men’s team coming in third.

Read the full report

Filed Under: Rugby Tagged With: 2016 Rugby Americas North Sevens Championship, BVI Rugby, BVI Rugby Football Union, RAN

Rugby forges ahead with youth development programme

October 28, 2016 by Admin

Source: BVI Platinum

Children take part in tag rugby under the guidance of Rugby Development Officer, Sherlock Solomon. Photo: BVIRFU

In efforts of making the sport of rugby a permanent fixture on the competitive charts in the British Virgin Islands, the BVI Rugby Football Union (BVIRFU) has now turned their attention to training and encouraging young persons to play the sport.

Over the last two weeks, representatives from the union have been visiting schools around the Territory, teaching young persons how to play the game, its rules and the overall health and physical benefits to be gained.

These visits and training with the students will lead into a Rugby Festival, to be hosted by the union late next month, November.

According to Rugby Development Officer for the BVIRFU, Sherlock Solomon, the Festival will put the training received by both primary and secondary school students to the test, as teams are expected to go head to head in tournaments.

Filed Under: LTAD, Rugby Tagged With: BVI Rugby Football Union, BVIRFU, Long-Term Athlete Development, LTAD, Youth Rugby

Third Physical Literacy workshop to help develop youth in sports

September 27, 2016 by Admin

Group work at the launch of the Long Term Athlete Development and Physical Literacy workshop in February 2016. Photo: BVIOC

The third Physical Literacy workshop is underway, running from September 27 – 28 at the Fort Burt Hotel Conference room.

The workshop, organized by the BVI Olympic Committee and conducted by Drew Mitchell, Director of Physical Literacy for the Sport for Life Society in Canada, is directed at sports coaches and representatives of the territory’s national sport federations as well as day-care and pre-school teachers and managers, health care providers and elderly care givers.

“Physical literacy is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life.” – The International Physical Literacy Association, May 2014

Research shows that without the development of Physical Literacy, many children and youth withdraw from physical activity and sport and turn to more inactive and/or unhealthy choices during their leisure time.

Miss Beverlie Brathwaite, an Education Officer attached to the Ministry of Education sees Physical Literacy as a positive vehicle to champion the cause for a healthier nation and success in the classroom.

“Just as there are basic skills in literacy and numeracy which, when mastered, help students to become competent and motivated, we now know that there are basic skills in movement which have the same effect on students’ confidence, competence and motivation. Also, since there is growing research evidence of the positive link between physical activity and academic success, we see this exposure to Physical Literacy as a gateway to both healthy lives and academic success for our students.”

This workshop aims to also give assistance to the selected sports of Football, Rugby, Tennis, Sailing, Basketball, Athletics, Archery and Swimming as they continue the task to complete a Long Term Athlete Development pathway for their sport.

The first session took place in February and covered the key factors pertinent to athlete development and the 5 basic ‘S’s of training and performance – Stamina (Endurance), Strength, Speed, Skill, and Suppleness (Flexibility).

The second session, which took place in May, focused on discussing the project outlines in the areas of Sport, Health and Education that followed on from the first workshop.

Filed Under: Athletics, Basketball, BVI Olympic Committee, Football, Rugby, Sailing, Swimming, Tennis Tagged With: BVI Olympic Committee, Canadian Olympic Committee, Long-Term Athlete Development, Physical Literacy, Sport for Life Society of Canada