REPORT on the GUAM 10 S & 7 S TOURNAMENT

REPORT ON THE GUAM 10’s & 7’s TOURNAMENT

Malcolm Pratt and I went to Guam on the weekend of 5/6 April.

We were very well looked after by the organisers during the weekend. Copy of letter of appreciation is below.

We were kept busy with a busy schedule over the 2 days with only 4 referees; the other two were from one from Japan and one local. Weather was blue sky, very hot but with a cooling breeze at times. Grass pitch in good condition, well marked out. They are in the process of making a second pitch next to the one they have.

There were two pools of Men’s rugby, two of U19’s and one Women’s. Malcolm refereed the men’s final and it wasn’t down to him that there was one red card (for a nasty spear tackle) and three Yellows, all for high tackles. The Japanese referee took the U19 final and I refereed two finals for the Women.

Most of the teams were local with three visiting teams from Japan. The standard of rugby is best described as development (the better teams possibly NL3), with a sprinkling of players who had experience of more senior rugby, 3 or 4 having played for Guam. Guam is not a wealthy union (they receive only 7000 GBP per year from the iRB) but they managed to organise a good tournament and it is one that I believe we should continue to support in order to help them with their development.

John Findlay

______

John & Malcolm,

Cc, Stan, Alex.

On behalf of the Guam Rugby Club, we wish to extend our sincere appreciation to the Kong Kong Society of Rugby Football Union Referees,(HKSRFU) in supporting the Annual Guam Rugby Club BUDWEISER True Grit Rugby Mens 10’s Tournament, Womens 7’s Tournament and Mens Colts U19 Tournament.

Both John and Malcolm were excellent officials, excellent ambassadors for Hong Kong Rugby Referees, and were very well appreciated in the Tournament Grand Finals. We welcome the return to Guam, both on and off the field at any time, for any of the HK referee society members.

The Budweiser True Grit Guam Rugby Tournament is now in its 16th year, and while a small Club tournament, it has enabled the game of rugby to grow on the Island of Guam. The support provided by the HK Referee Society over the years with high level officials is instrumental in the development of the game on Guam. By providing and exposing both local Guam and visiting Japan Mens and Womens players, to high level match officials, during the Tournament, improvement and knowledge of the game is noted every year..

Again, thank you for your continued support and continued assistance with the Guam Budweiser True Grit Tournament.

Regards

Ross Morrison

Guam Rugby Club Board Member.