The NACRA Men’s U19 Championships is the primer U19 Men’s Championships for the North American Caribbean Rugby Association. The members of NACRA U19 are USA Rugby South, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, and Turks and Caicos Islands. We will profile each team leading up to the 2015 NACRA Men’s U19 Rugby Championships being held in Orlando, FL from July 11-18, 2015.
The Cayman Islands will be bringing their under-19 side to the championships this year. Cayman Islands are the 5th ranked team in the tournament. Coming off an 0-3 finish last year, Cayman Islands coaches, Gary Southway and Noel Phillips, will be looking to improve their record from last year. Southway and Phillips have been working with their players to establish the team philosophy, “success is measured through hard-work, discipline, and persistence”.
The Cayman Islands will not be lacking in experience this year, as they will be returning twelve players from last years team:
Jackson Wight – Prop
Cameron Bridgeman – Hooker/Flanker
Jordan Southway – Prop
Daniel Connolly-Foster – Prop
Dylan Bostock – Lock
Patrick Taylor – Lock
Alex Robertson – Flanker
Henry Bolton – Number 8
Matteo Polloni – Flanker
Zac Hutchinson – Scrum half
Mark Westin – Outside Center
Jacob Pierre – Wing
This team has big expectations on their shoulders. The expectations from within the team and from the country has elevated since the Cayman Islands senior men’s national team came in 4th at the NACRA Sevens Championships this past weekend. The team has shown a willingness to welcome the pressure. Team captain and 4th year veteran of the U19 side, Jordan Southway, explained
The NACRA U19 championships have been a stepping stone towards the development of rugby for both the team individually and for our Country as a rugby nation. The tournament each year allows members of our team to enjoy the game of rugby whilst proudly representing our country and families.
Throughout past tournaments I have experienced both the highs and lows of the tournament. I know me and my team are both ready and excited for the tournament this year!
This team is looking ready to show off their hard work. Cayman Islands will be playing their first match against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, July 12 at 12:00 pm. You can catch the broadcast of the match on Gift-Time Rugby Network TV.
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