Barbados rugby women to host Cayman Islands

The Barbados Women’s Select XV’s team will host the visiting Cayman Islands Women in an international friendly fixture this Saturday, 13 July, 2024, at the recently upgraded Garrison Savannah pitch. This match will mark the first XV’s fixture for Barbados Women since approximately 2009.

Coach Anthony Lambert, in an exclusive interview with Barbados TODAY, noted that although the game will not have official status, it is an important milestone for the local programme.

“Technically this is a friendly,” he said. “Cayman has a couple of players that are ineligible and so do we. However it’s the first 15’s women’s game in Barbados that we are aware of in 15 years. So it’s still a pretty big occasion for us. It’s something we’ve been working towards for the past couple years, specifically.

The visitors, too, are excited about the matchup. Via their Facebook page, Cayman Islands Rugby pointed out that they, too, have been absent from this format for some time.

“This historic clash is the first full 80-minute international fixture for Cayman rugby in 12 years under the new era,” they revealed. “Both teams had the vision & foresight to plan this clash to help grow & develop girls’ & women’s rugby on their small Caribbean islands. Both are developing rugby nations putting women’s rugby in the Rugby Americas North region and further afield back on the map.”

Notwithstanding that the Caymans may not have played a full international in over a decade, Coach Lambert says that they are likely to be more accustomed to the fifteen-a-side game. Barbados played a ten-a-side game in preparation for this fixture, however, and the lead strategist for the national team is looking forward to seeing how his charges perform in what should be a challenging tilt.

“We’re anticipating a really strong and physical game,” said Lambert. “Cayman have a Domestic XV’s competition that we are aspiring to match, and they have a number of players who’ve played in Rugby Americas North events in the last couple of years. So we think it will be a very strong competition, we’re really excited. We’ve got a number of players that we’re very excited about seeing what they can do.”

The local women have been working hard to rebuild their squad, playing several matches to prepare for the incoming Cayman squad. This first international match is scheduled to kick off at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, and everyone is invited to come to the pitch and support the local team.

It’s been an encouraging year, according to Lambert, who praised Barbados Rugby’s recruiting efforts. Over the past 13 months, the player pool has nearly quadrupled, including a number of new players, as well as others who have come out of retirement. Approximately 40 women have been in training, 24 of whom took part in a recent match at the Garrison.

Playing under the newly installed floodlights, Phoenix won 21-14 over Flying Fish. For Phoenix, Vanya Edwards had 10 points from two tries, and Alanna Quintyne tallied six points from three conversions. Jessica Derrell, also a national wrestler, scored the opening try.

Flying Fish got two tries from Quinielle Weekes, and Shaniah Myers made two conversions.

The Bajan Pride Select Women’s XV’s also faced off against the Barbarians Invitational last week in preparation for the Cayman Islands.

Barbados is also hopeful of being able to rely on the returning Danielle Phillips. The veteran is described as “a menace on the pitch.”

In the run-up to the climax of Crop-Over activities, the Barbados Rugby Football Union (BRFU) is hosting their Domestic League Social on Friday, 12 July at the Clubhouse on the Historic Garrison Savannah. Food and drinks will be on sale.

Friday’s activity will also serve as the launch event for the Men’s Domestic League, scheduled to start later in July. Looking forward to continuing a strong year for rugby in Barbados, Coach Lambert told Barbados TODAY that after Crop-Over, the women will be playing Sevens again, as they are planning to compete against St Vincent & the Grenadines in October, before playing Rugby Americas North World Cup Qualifiers in November in Trinidad & Tobago.