Teams compete in eighth annual Junior International Rugby Festival

Teams compete in eighth annual Junior International Rugby Festival

Five teams competed in the eighth annual junior international rugby festival over the weekend, which organizers said was perhaps the most eventful.

“This year was our busiest festival with over 300 boys and girls playing rugby,” according to Freeport Rugby Club President Rob Speller.

“The weather was fantastic with cloudy and breezy conditions and all the games were played in good spirit and with great enthusiasm, with no major injuries.”

Teams from Key Biscayne, Cayman, Bermuda and Nassau, competed over the course of the two-day event. On Saturday and Sunday, players ranging from eight to 16 competed in thrilling girls verses boys matches, featuring Freeport’s emerging girl’s rugby team.

Saturday’s final match was a physical full-field under-16 match that saw some terrific tries scored by Freeport’s Titus Lockhart and Cameron Chandler. Sunday’s action included team challenges, as well as mixed age-group matches that gave players a chance to suit up alongside some of their opponents.

“This weekend was even better than we could have hoped for,” said FRFC Youth Development Officer Stephen Sheehan.

“To see so many kids playing rugby and making new friends is what this tournament and sport is all about.”

The club announced that it is looking forward to holding the event again next year, and invites anyone with an interest in the sport around the island to come out to youth rugby training on Saturdays from 10-11 a.m.

“All the teams had a great time on our beautiful island and we’re already looking forward to next year,” Speller noted.

“We are so grateful to all the helpers, sponsors and coaches who made it happen.”

About Randy Smith

Randy Smith is the producer of the widely-watched local television show “Beyond The Headlines” and the web content manager of Eyewitness News. He joined Eyewitness News as a sportscaster in 2018, a role he still performs, and has previously covered a slew of international sporting events, including the 2015 Pan American Games, the Nike EYBL Showcase, several IAAF World Relays, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, the Commonwealth Youth Games, the Bahamas Bowl and multiple CARIFTA Swimming and Track & Field Championships. Randy has been recognized by the Bahamas Press Club with awards for “Best Sports Broadcast” as a sportscaster and “Best TV Talk Show” as a producer.