January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Healy looking forward to playing for the West Indies
The West Indies 7's rugby team was invited to take part in the prestigious Hong Kong 7's tournament that takes place this weekend from March 27 to 29. After the rugby 7's World Cup Qualifier and Caribbean Championships last October, a squad of 20 was selected for the initial West Indies squad. This group was divided in two, with one group playing in the Trinidad 7's at the start of December, while the other group, of which Healy was a part, travelled to the Punta Del Este tournament in Uruguay. The modest Healy felt he hadn't performed to his potential, but also felt he had played as well as the other squad members.
This led on to the final training camp that took place in the Bahamas at the end of February, and Healy returned to Bermuda feeling he had not done himself justice. "I really didn't think I'd be selected after the training camp, so it's an incredible feeling to be selected", he said. "It definitely makes all the training and effort worth it".
Huge commitment
Healy has shown huge commitment to get himself to the best possible level of fitness for international rugby of this calibre. He has trained twice almost every day since October, getting up to go to the gym at 6am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday every week. He also heads to the National Stadium for speed sessions every Monday and Wednesday evening, as well as his normal rugby training and matches with his club Renegades on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Sunday is a light recovery jog for the dedicated Healy.
Healy flew out last week with the West Indies squad to a week long training camp with the Canadian 7's team. After this it was on to Hong Kong, where they open their campaign today (Friday) in the tournament's opening match against Kenya, one of the top 7's teams on the world circuit. They also open proceedings on Saturday when facing the might of the U.S., completing their pool games later that day against Scotland.
Sunday will see them compete in either the bowl, plate or cup competition, depending on their final position in the group.
Healy has previously represented the West Indies at the San Diego 7's and Trinidad 7's, but to play in the Hong Kong 7's definitely tops the lot.
Only a handful of players from Bermuda have played there, with former West Indies captain Bobby Hurdle, Jonathan Cassidy and Dan and Josh McGavern the only previous men to have done it.
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