As most of you are aware, this Saturday's matches are a series of short games, culminating in the traditional President's XV vs. Vice-President's XV season opener. This will be followed by 5 weeks of Sevens before the 15s season proper starts.


Here's an article by Dahalia Smith that was published in The Bahama Journal on Sept. 25th




Saturday, September 30 is the start date for the 2006 Bahamas Rugby and Football Union’s Sevens’ Series to be held at the Winton Rugby Field. (7s will open on October 7th)


A traditional match between the Presidents and Vice Presidents teams will be played at 1 p.m. to kick off the series. (actually 3pm)


The clubs in the league, the defending champs Cuckoos, the Buccaneers and Baillou are each expected to field A, B and youth teams.


Players on the youth teams must all be under the age of 18, students recruited from public and private schools in New Providence.


According to the Sevens’ National Team Coach Andrew Davies, as the series progresses his coaching staff will be observing the juniors closely for recruiting purposes.

"Currently there are two promising juniors who are training with the national team, namely Owen Hanna and Keross Oliver. Once the season gets started if I see other potential players out there I’ll bring them in despite how raw their talent is.

" If they have what it takes I’ll put them into the programme so that they can see what the expectations are. Overall the enthusiasm among the youth is encouraging. Once we can get the sport into the schools we should get an even better response,"

said Davies.

Follow up:

Davies also talked about how the national team players are expected to benefit from the sevens’ series.

"The sevens’ series should give our players the much-needed fitness work before we enter the 15s (aside) season. The series will also provide practice for the Nationals Sevens’ Team that is getting ready to compete,"

noted Davies.


Practice sessions for the Buccaneers are held at the Winton facility on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and the Cuckoos train at Fort Charlotte at 6:30 p.m.


The National Sevens’ Team is expected to participate at the 2006 edition of the Rugby World Cup Sevens’ Qualifier set for Barbados November 11-12.


The team will travel on Friday, November 10 and return Monday, November 13.


Two months ago, the BRFU won the bid to host the 2007 edition of RWC World Qualifier.