Garvey’s backing Jamaica for 7s progress

MARCEL GARVEY is fully aware it will not be a cool run-in but he has high hopes for his Jamaica Sevens side ahead of the Hong Kong Qualifier tournament next month which could take them into the main draw for next year.

The former Worcester flyer has taken over as head coach from James Bailey this season and he led them to a third place in the NACRA Sevens tournament in November which earned them a place in the qualifier.

Securing a core place on the World Series might be a step too far for the inexperienced outfit just yet but Garvey has set his sights on taking Jamaica to a global tournament in 2018.

“Our aim is to win a game in Hong Kong and maybe even get out of the group but the dream is to see Jamaica compete on the World Series,” he told The Rugby Paper.

“Going to the World Cup in San Francisco and the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast next year are probably more realistic targets for now.

“The pool of potential players in Jamaica is pretty exciting with a lot of very athletic guys there and I reckon they could adapt to Sevens pretty quickly.

“The federation is trying to promote the sport but we’re struggling for money. We already have some great sponsors like the Jamaican Patty Company who are based in Covent Garden, but we’re looking for more.”

A handful of Jamaicabased players have been included in the squad but most of it is made up of players from the UK like Rhodri James, with the Coventry scrum-half bringing rugby know-how on the pitch.

He told TRP: “Jamaica is starting to make a name for itself and we’re looking good ahead of Hong Kong.

“We have some very good athletes keen to get involved like Michael Frater, who was in the sprint relay with Usain Bolt at the London Olympics.

“I’m definitely not as quick as some of these guys but hopefully I can bring my rugby knowledge from growing up in the UK to make the right calls and unleash them. It’d be great to see one of these guys taking on Perry Baker or Dan Norton.”