Jeremico Cooper, interviewed by Dahalia Smith in The Bahama Journal


West Indies 2006 Rugby Sevens Team member, Bahamian Jeremico Cooper is to play a key role in the national squad’s preparation for a World Cup event here next year.

In an exclusive interview with The Bahama Journal, Cooper said he accepts the responsibility of assisting the Bahamas Rugby Football Union in getting ready for the 2007 Rugby World Cup 7s Qualifier, set for November 17-18, 2007 in New Providence.


In June of this year, Cooper played at the Deloitte Cayman’s Sevens Tournament in the Cayman Islands representing the West Indies Side, going up against world-class professionals who regularly participate on the International Rugby Board Sevens Circuit.


Cooper at age 22 was the second Bahamian ever to be named to the West Indies’ Rugby Team. Kevin Salabie was the first.


He told The Journal the areas he will concentrate on in working with the team.

"What we need to work on is being fully aware of where everyone on the field is located at all times. We also need to know each other inside and out so that we can have a bond on and off the field. We also need to work on our intensity and this comes through proper training and nutrition. When we go to an upcoming tournament in Barbados we are going to practice these things. So by the time 2007 and 2008 roll around we should be ready,"

explained Cooper.

Follow up:

Cooper was a part of championship national team that finished first in the summer of 2005 at the IRB’s North Caribbean Qualifier held in New Providence.


He compared the 2005 15-aside qualifier to the 2007 RWC Sevens qualifier.

"Next year’s tournament is going to be even harder because we expect a lot of competitive countries like Trinidad and Barbados which are on top of the sevens circuit right now. But it is going to be a nice experience to see how having a tournament in Nassau is going to change our outlook towards the sport.

"Most of our national team members played at a high level before, for instance at this year’s Cape Fears Tournament that we just came from in June. The 2007 qualifier for the most part will be an opportunity for us to show everybody what we have learnt from playing internationally. In addition we expect for scouts from the West Indies Team to be in town to observe the players. This will be a chance for more Bahamians to make the West Indies team,"

Cooper added.


Two months ago, the BRFU won the bid to host the North American and West Indies Rugby Association (NAWIRA) Sevens tournament.


The tournament will include men and women's teams from all Caribbean Unions as well as Mexico, Canada and the USA.


NAWIRA was formed in 2001 and is one of the six IRB regional associations. It is also the governing body for 16 unions in North America and the West Indies.


These unions are based in The Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA.


The current condition laid down by the NAWIRA is that if the tournament goes well initially an automatic hosting opportunity will be given for the second consecutive year. Accordingly, the RWC tournament was in Barbados in 2005 and will be there again this year.


Locals are confident of winning the bid to host the 2008 RWC because of the success the BRFU had with the IRB’s North Caribbean Qualifier in 2005.


In related rugby news, the 2006 edition of the RWC Sevens Qualifier will be held in Barbados November 11-12. A national team is expected to represent The Bahamas and will travel on Friday 10 of November and return Monday the 13.


Source: Dahalia Smith for the Bahama Journal


Related Articles: Jeremico Cooper Back From Cayman Sevens | Bahamas Rugby at The Cape Fear 7s | The Bahamas wins bid to host NAWIRA 7s Tournament