A few at-risk Caymanian boys searching for purpose could potentially find themselves on the first-ever national beach water-polo team in the coming year.
It’s all a part of coach Grant Ferguson’s mission to make the sport a staple in the country and offer the same opportunities given to other aquatic disciplines, such as swimming and synchro.
Ferguson commenced his recruiting on Saturday, 13 Jan., coaching a free introduction session at Seven Mile Public Beach, with participants from the Boyz2Men programme.
“For the privilege I have been given to live in the Cayman Islands, I want to give back, and I feel that this is the best way I can give back,” Ferguson told the Compass.
Although he has already helped many Caymanian swimmers during his time as head coach at Camana Bay Aquatics Club – most notably training the country’s first world champion Jordan Crooks – Ferguson believes he has much more to give.
“I approach Boyz2Men because I wanted to give the locals an opportunity at this sport first,” he said.
To get things going on Saturday, Ferguson began with a fun game of beach baseball, to assess the boys’ capabilities.
“They have to hit the baseball [while out of the water] and then swim to the different tees …[which] gave me an opportunity to do an assessment on them.”
From there, Fergusson split up the 44 boys into five teams where he coached them as they played water polo.
“I was blown away. Everybody handled it well from the beginning,” he said, noting that some of the boys needed time to adjust to the rules but they eventually got there.
Ferguson, who attended last year’s CARIFTA Championships in Curaçao as one of the national coaches, has seen many of his athletes succeed.
Looking to CARIFTA
His first goal for beach water polo is to send a squad to CARIFTA, and have them win.
“I understand I need to take small steps first and I am prepared to do that,” Ferguson said. “The first thing is to get a team together. The best-case scenario would be at least three teams to CARIFTA 2025.”
Many of those within the programme are considered ‘at-risk’ due to dysfunctional homes, which increase their chances of committing crimes. And while many of the boys could go on to enjoy successful careers in other fields, Ferguson noted that he wanted to identify the ones that are really keen to give water polo a go.
“I think it is a fantastic group and…this is my part that I would like to contribute,” he said, adding that the sky is the limit for the boys.
“Believe me, I am going to do everything to get Cayman to the Olympic games in this sport,” he said. “I am, number one, a big dreamer and no one will cut my dreams down. When I approach a new sport, I dream big and I want to get one of these Caymanian boys to the Olympics.”
Ferguson said he will be forming a club, which will include special training sessions for Boyz2Men. Eventually he will hold organised training for everyone on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 4:30pm to 6:30pm on Seven Mile Public Beach, with start dates to be announced.
He encourages anyone to drop in and play water polo, where he will teach skills, fitness and swimming fundamentals.
“We are extremely appreciative to coach Grant for giving his time and expertise to our boys,” Christopher Murray, founder of the Boyz2Men programme added. “It was a very exciting and meaningful event.”
Editor’s Note: Seaford Russell Jr. is a founding member of Boyz2Men.
Related Videos
