'The finest group of young men I've ever been around'

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9: Beyond Rugby organizer John Layfield was pleased with how the first Aspen/Validus School Rugby Championships turned out.

Just how proud?

He told the audience at the awards ceremony, “This is one of the finest group of young men I’ve ever been around.”

Layfield told the Bermuda Sun: “This was a great day. We had a bunch of great young people out here playing rugby and playing as good sportsmen. They were all playing with respect so it’s all worthwhile.

“When we set up the programme, this is what we had in mind. I’m very, very happy with the turnout today. This was a great atmosphere. We saw a lot of young people playing really hard trying to win a championship, which was really fun to watch.”

Layfield added: “We want them to care if they win. We want them to care if they lose, but they also have to show respect by shaking the other team’s hand if they lose, We got every bit of that.”

Malcolm Outerbridge Sr said he and his wife Kaywell, were very touched about their son being honoured with the MVP Award for the Beyond Rugby Secondary School Championship.

Mr Outerbridge said: “This is really great. His name and memory still lives on. I was quite surprised they got a hold of me and wanted to do this.

He added it meant a lot to him that his former employers, the Fairmont Southampton, stepped up to donate $10,000.

“I’m just overwhelmed that they’re doing this. This is a really good idea and never thought that this would be done in memory of my son.”

Diallo Rabain, PLP senator, was on hand to help give out the awards. He said: “I want to applaud Beyond Rugby and its organizers because this is the type of event we want to see more of and this is the type of event that brings Bermuda into the future and moves us forward as a united team.”