January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Renegades give the shirts off their backs
And their shoes and other equipment to Cuban team
The rugby boys showed their sensitive side, giving away half their kit, equipment and even their shoes, to the poverty stricken Cuban Rugby Federation.
Prop Simon Brazier had to borrow a pair of trainers from one of his team-mates for the trip home after giving away every piece of footwear in his suitcase - an impromptu piece of philanthropy that has earned him the nickname 'shoeless' for the rest of the season.
Skipper Mike Williams said the five-day tour last month had been a real eye opener for many of the players.
"Rugby is a developing sport over there. There are only four teams in the country and it doesn't get any funding from the Government because it isn't yet an Olympic sport.
"When we went to Brazil last year we saw massive wealth and massive poverty. With Cuba being one of the last communist bastions, nobody was right on the breadline but everybody was poor.
"We were very impressed with how little they had, yet how hospitable and how friendly they were.
"We left them every bit of spare kit that we had.
"Simon Brazier gave away practically everything he had with him.
"We are trying to work out a way to collect some more kit, either just ourselves or all of the Bermuda rugby teams, and send it down to them at the end of the season."
Williams said the plan was to pick a different third-world country every year and help out by sending equipment and supplies to their rugby federation.
"It was a real eye opener as to how privileged and how lucky we really are."
The Welshman said the Cuban side had been tough opponents and his team had prevailed 26-17 in a 15-a-side game and 27-25 in a 10-a-side game.
"They were excellent athletes, but they don't even get to watch the sport on television over there, so tactically and coaching-wise they were a bit naive.
"In terms of sheer athleticism and natural talent, they had it in abundance. We were very impressed with the standard of the rugby, we just beat them by experience and being a bit more streetwise."
Images of Cuban icon Che Guevara, himself a former rugby player, were ubiquitous in the capital, Havana, were the team spent some time travelling the street and hitting a few of the bars, with their Cuban hosts.
"They were a good bunch of lads, we really socialized together and had a good time, even though there was that cultural difference."[[In-content Ad]]
Comments:
You must login to comment.