The sport of rugby has become a big part of life in the Cayman Islands, contributing to youth development and tourism, according to Cayman Rugby Football Union (CRFU) President, Derek Haines.


Despite recent reports in the media of complaints on the operations of the Rugby Club, Mr Haines defended the role played by the club in adding value to life in the Cayman Islands. “Rugby is a reflection of life,” Mr Haines said. “You get knocked down, you get up again.”


He stated that the Rugby Club has promoted rugby so successfully in the Cayman Islands that the sport has grown tremendously in the last seven years. The Club has approximately 3,000 children registered in its youth programmes.


Currently, Cayman is the highest rugby-playing nation per capita, in the world, according to the club’s President. Mr Haines said, from very small beginnings 30 to 40 years ago, rugby is now a very Caymanian sport with over 85 percent of the young athletes in training being Caymanians. CRFU has been invited on the National Sports Council and rugby is a focus sport in Cayman.


At the recent under-19 championships held in Cayman, the local team moved from fifth to third place, and has good chances of becoming the best in the region within the next two years. As well, CRFU was supposed to hold the Caribbean Championships, which were cancelled due to the threat of Hurricane Dean in August. The World Cup Qualifiers are to be held in early 2008 in Cayman.

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Such events held in Cayman bring in tourists, Mr Haines pointed out, in the shape of players, spectators and their families. “Rugby is a tourism sport, with people visiting Cayman to attend events such as the Knackerfest, or old boys tournament, around Pirates Week.”


Although Ivan reduced the facilities to ground zero in 2004, massive support helped CRFU make a comeback. CRFU receives funding from the Government and the International Rugby Board, as well as sponsorship from various local companies. The Club also holds events at the clubhouse, with door fees, and sells tee shirts to make up the deficit required to cover the costs of running the club and its programmes, and maintaining the pitch.


Having invested heavily in its facilities, CRFU is now acknowledged throughout the Caribbean both for its facilities and its programmes. It was even invited to help Mexico to put its rugby programmes together.


The club is very well run thanks to the strong committee, Mr Haines said. The wider community apparently echo Mr Haines’ views, judging by the response to CRFU’s programmes.


“We have no under-age drinking problems,” said Mr Haines. “The youngsters in our academy sign a contract with the club. Besides playing rugby, they have to agree to regularly do their lessons, regularly attend training, to do coaching and refereeing. We encourage community involvement by the youngsters.”


He reported that results show. “With very few exceptions, the grades of all our student athletes go up, because they are in the training module,” Mr Haines commented, pleased.


The discipline of playing a sport reduces the chances of kids going wrong as they grow up and helps them become good academics as well, Mr Haines said.


The rugby club is a well-established institution in South Sound, with homes being built up around it over time and property prices increasing steadily. Besides CRFU, both the Tennis and Squash clubs are also located in the area.


Despite being located in what is now a residential area, CRFU is committed to being a good neighbour. Acknowledging that some complaints have been made about noise and parking, Mr Haines emphasised that a satisfactory solution will be worked out. “I fully intend to live in harmony with our neighbours,” said Mr Haines. “It’s a work in progress.”


CRFU has planted trees to replace those lost after Ivan, to create a sound barrier. The use of the public address system and other sources of noise are closely monitored, and solutions are being worked out to address parking and other issues, with the relevant authorities.


With programmes for children from four to 19 years of age, and an invitation to everybody no matter what their shape, size, age or prowess, CRFU extends a warm welcome to get involved in this major sport in the Cayman Islands.


Source: Cayman Net News