Rugby Off The Ground in Puerto Rico

Rugby is off the ground in Puerto Rico. Although the sport had existed on the island previously, it was the Get Into Rugby event in May which stood out. The event was organized with the support from Rugby Americas North, the regional governing body for Rugby in North America and the Caribbean. At this event, aspiring coaches had a chance to complete the Rugby Ready qualification and the sport was introduced to a group of youth players between 9 and 16 years old.

With the inspiration of rugby having become an Olympic sport there are advanced plans to host a Rugby Camp this month.

After May’s Get Into Rugby event, Puerto Rico officially has a number of qualified coaches. Among them is Jorge Soltero Rosselli, who holds a World Rugby level 2 coaching qualification and coaching license from England. He was Head Coach for the youth section of his local London club before returning to his native Puerto Rico in 2016.

Based on the depth of local male and female athletes, Soltero believes Puerto Rico has great potential to be a strong Rugby 7’s competing nation in the Caribbean and can look forward to participating in future Panamerican and Olympic Games.

The July summer camp will be run by Antonio Pirillo, well-known Soccer club manager and sports leader in Puerto Rico, and former Rugby player from Argentina. Pirillo commented that there are similarities between Soccer and Rugby and that the athletic characteristics of local athletes are ideal for Rugby 7’s.

The camp is geared towards boys and girls between 8 and 16 years old and will be held from July 10th through the 28th, from 1pm to 5pm, at the Club De Futbol Fraigcomar facilities in Rio Piedras, PR.

For more information please call +1 787 603 6318