The Maples Community Rugby program has just started its tenth year of introducing kids to the sport and judging by its success so far, it will continue inexorably.
Following the destruction caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Cayman Rugby Union in partnership with Maples law firm, created what has become one of the biggest and most popular youth community programs locally.
Throughout the season, more than 300 children aged between 2-18 participate five evenings a week and it is extremely popular with parents and children too on Saturday mornings.
In fact, the program is bursting at the seams with participants and Director of Rugby Richard “Grizz” Adams expects even greater numbers as the 2014/15 commences.
“The Maples community program has simply grown beyond all of our plans and expectations,” he said. “Just as our GreenlightRe program in schools continues to spread slowly, effectively and efficiently across the islands, we are seeing more and more of our youth taking up the sport on an annual basis.”
He said they are seeing participants not simply just trying rugby and moving on, but are returning each season, and this is the reason for Cayman’s massive success regionally at all age levels and why they are having to offer smaller age bandings each year, which is exponentially increasing the number of teams and participants.
Adams added that last year when they traveled to the Bahamas tournament to play several international sides, every single Cayman youth team – which were Under-10, U-11, U-12, U-14 and U-16 – went unbeaten in two days of play and swept all of the silverware. He said that they are constantly challenged with enough personnel to cope with the interest and it means all of their coaches, officials, medics, administrators and managers need to be fully certified and annually trained in the latest best practice procedures.
“It is a wonderful problem to have, though,” Adams said. “We are very fortunate to have the ongoing support of brilliant, dedicated volunteers and also Maples.”
Adams said that he has lost count of how many young lives their support has shaped and changed – including girls – who have passed through this program and helped with their school and university achievements.
“Many have gone into employment and become community participants and leaders in their own right,” he said. “It is why we are booming and growing in accordance with our strategic development plans.
“We are surrounded by good people who have come through the program and who are beginning to leave their own legacy in terms of their input and inclusion into the growth and well-being of the program they love so much themselves.”
Adams feels the program has fulfilled many traits in the youngsters, including integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect.
For more information on the junior rugby program, go to www.caymanrugby.com.
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