Rugby B’dos gets big boost

As rugby practice and matches gradually return to normal, Rugby Barbados was given a hefty boost by a generous donation from UK-born rugby enthusiast Gareth Hammonds.

The donation comprised several boxes of Gilbert rugby balls in various sizes, as well as tackle bags, ladders, cones and bibbs for use in practice. The Gilbert brand is well known and respected in the rugby world, and Hammonds has made connections with local suppliers SportsMart, citing Tony Miller who agreed to start stocking their Rugby products. This equipment will strengthen the local union as it rebounds from the two and a half years of restrictions imposed by COVID-19.

Hammonds cited his love of the sport, and the potential in the region as the motivation for the donation. He said he appreciated the struggle to attract and retain new players, especially at a young age, and the need for adequate numbers of balls which would allow young players to develop coordination, kicking and handling skills quicker.

He explained that he got into rugby at the relatively late age of 10, after living in the USA for two years. He continued playing through high school and at the university level in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, earning a try-out for the USA Eagles, which he turned down due to family relocation. After spending a few years teaching and coaching in Tonga and Samoa, he earned his Level 1 & Level 2 Coaching Certifications. He then spent some time coaching in the United Kingdom and grassroots rugby in Indonesia. He is hopeful of working with Rugby Americas North to gain his Level 3.

Rugby Barbados treasurer, Kevin Carter, accepted the generous gift on behalf of the Union and expressed his sincere thanks for the support. He said the Union will be putting this gear to good use as soon as possible, with the goal of rebuilding the national teams to the point where they could compete internationally as soon as possible. (PR)