PRESIDENT OF the Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU), Maria Thomas, is focused on a safe return to competitive rugby, once given clearance by the authorities.
The TTRFU engineered a safe rugby restart programme, in anticipation of a return to competitive action.
Ahead of a training and education workshop later this month, Thomas along with foreign coaches, Colton Cariaga of the United States of America and Robin Mac Dowell of Canada, visited Tobago on November 7, as part of a national coaches development workshop.
Thomas said, “Bringing the programme to Tobago, is part of our executive mandate, to ensure that the Tobago players and coaches, benefit from all opportunities, given to their Trinidad peers.”
She added, “We have set up a satellite system between the two islands, and in conjunction with Anderson Roberts and Marie Pantin, who are part of our technical team, attached to the Tobago rugby club.
“We have been able to give the Tobago players, equal access to national training, without adding to their financial and logistic cost of travel to Trinidad, on a regular basis.”
The workshop, which was conducted at the Calder Hall recreation field, was specified towards providing the local coaches with knowledge on the technical advancements in the game and safety protocols on being able to adapt training sessions where necessary.
These tools, Thomas said, are very important, pending a return to competitive rugby, given the changing environment of sports in general, since the onset of the covid19 pandemic.
[caption id="attachment_924774" align="alignnone" width="460"] Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union president Maria Thomas (centre) listens attentively, as coach Robin MacDowell (right) lectures to members of the Tobago rugby club. -[/caption]
Thomas who took over the reins of the rugby union in May, said that both Cariaga and Mac Dowell have experience working with national players, having identified Trinidad and Tobago, as a nation with incredible rugby talent.
The TTRFU boss said, “National players Jeron Pantor and Fayola Jack are currently in (the United States) pursuing varied avenues in rugby.
“Pantor is coached by Cariaga at the Life University, while Jack recently joined a training camp in California, under Mac Dowell, and is preparing for competitions in Portugal”.
Roberts, who spoke on behalf of the Tobago Rugby Football club, lauded the initiative of the national body, and said that he envisions huge benefits for the growth and development of the sport in Tobago.
He noted, “Arising out the conversating with the foreign coaches, there will be opportunities for scholarships, professional contracts and video networking, where players will be observed and technical adjustments made where necessary.”
On a personal note, Roberts said, "I was exposed to new techniques in relation to catching the ball without dropping it, balance, proper stance, interacting with players and adjusting training methods to suit the current pandemic.”
Three female players, currently eng
