It promises to be a grand occasion when the St Lucia senior male and female rugby teams play against their counterparts from Curacao, in a series of matches on Sunday at the Gros Islet Playing Field. It is the first time the Curacao will be visiting St Lucia. The tour is whipping up huge interest and excitement among rugby enthusiasts and none enthusiasts alike on the island.
The St Lucia Rugby Football Union is using this tour as a means of generating interest in the sport, by making it a moment to remember. Several new initiatives have been undertaken including: More expansively utilizing the social media to advertise the event, creating a festive atmosphere by including youth and veteran rugby, food and drinks bar, collaborating with motor cross and car crews, having a steel band and quite possibly at least two popular media personalities making comments and hyping up the crowd on the day. In addition, St Lucia and Curacao are collaborating on Facebook to advertise the tour. A facebook page ‘St Lucia vs Curacao Rugby’ has been launched, where there are numerous daily posts on matters relating to the event and rugby in general.
Recently at the Sab Sporting Facility, a press conference was held on the playing field to brief the media of the upcoming event. It also provided an opportunity for the media to meet the players, sponsors etc and lay out the
Union’s plans for the rest of the year.
Action on Sunday is scheduled to start at 1:00 pm with exercise sessions hopefully among the youths and women, to be followed by games involving the kids who have been training with the Union. After that, there will be two women’s games and a veterans encounter which should be exciting, since many of the old stagers will be dusting off their boots to show their skills and abilities against each other in fierce but friendly competition.
The St Lucia public is encouraged to come out and support the local team and rugby in general. Bring a flag, bring a towel, bring a whistle, make some noise and let your presence be felt.
