Fans in Barbados were treated to a historic fixture between their home side and the Cayman Women’s XV team on Saturday, 13 July.
The ladies fixture came amid national teams competing across several rugby tournaments this summer, including the men’s senior squad debuting at the Touch World Cup and the local boys’ under-19 team at the RAN event in Mexico.
The local women participated in a single match against Barbados and, although they came up short after a hard-fought fixture that finished 31-24, the game was worth celebrating.
The match marked the first time in 12 years that the Cayman women played a full 80-minute international game. It’s the one of many accomplishments under rugby manager Mercedes Foy, who has rebuilt the programme.
Foy told the Compass that while they expected better results, she admits the Cayman team was mixed with several youngsters, including five girls from the U18 team, getting a taste of senior competition.
“The game could have gone either way,” she said. “We are disappointed with the result but the commitment from the players, coaches, management and medical staff involved is inspirational and I am extremely grateful to them all.
“Moments like this will not define us but will in fact drive us to be stronger in the future.”
Since Foy joined Cayman Rugby as the women’s manager back in July 2021, she has seen the team reach many highs but noted that she and the squad will continue to develop the sport on and off island.
“We are committed to developing home-grown talent and raising the profile of girls and women’s rugby in the Cayman Islands,” she said.
In addition to thanking all the sponsors who made the trip and match possible, Foy thanked her coaches Katy Bayles and Henry Warnock-Smith, team manager Jennifer Mountjoy and Andy Hall from Cayman Physiotherapy.
Related Videos
