The T&T Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) executive committee was re-elected unopposed for another two-year term at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Wednesday at the Administrative centre of the T&T Police headquarters in Port-of-Spain. The members: Leslie Figaro (President), Anthony Laurence (Vice-president), Colin Peters (Secretary), Curtis Nero (Treasurer) and Karl Muckette (Asst. Secretary) were given another two-year mandate. TTOC president Leslie Figaro, however, cautioned his colleagues that it is "not business as usual." Figaro said he took no comfort in the outcome of the election as he is disappointed by the lack of enthusiasm and willingness to "step forward" by the T&T rugby fraternity and stakeholders. "There are a number of things with which I am not satisfied. The administration of rugby both at the national and club level must improve. There are issues that we have to address in an honest manner. There are not enough people pulling their weight. While some individuals seem perfectly happy to criticise and be destructive from the side lines. But that is all they do, talk. Ask them to step forward and become a doer and it is a horse of a different colour." said Figaro.
Figaro, though, is looking forward to working with all the local rugby stakeholders in addressing the myriad of issues and challenges facing local rugby. The most pressing being the need to further accelerate the spread of the game and to obtain the use of community facilities in other parts of the country not just north Trinidad. "I am of the view that we need to strengthen and build capacity in our community programmes. I intend to initiate a programme that will seek to inform and raise awareness about the game. Raising the positive public profile will be the core objective of this particular programme. Another priority area is women's rugby. I intend to focus on women's rugby also. Then there is the question of the TTRFU becoming financially self sufficient and developing revenue streams that can allow us to be able to plan with greater certainty." added Figaro
Meanwhile, the T&T senior men's national team is heading to the final weeks of preparation for upcoming matches in the regional rugby championship. The TTRFU, according to Figaro, is working relentlessly with the Ministry of Sport to ensure that New Zealand technical director Murray Roulston will return to T&T ahead of the May 28 clash with rivals Guyana. "Larry Mendez is in charge of the coaching and preparation duties. He is assisted by Dale Trotman. I have confidence in both men, who are former national players. They have a lot of new ideas and we will provide them with the support they need. Curtis (Nero), the chairman of the TTRFU selectors is an experienced team manager."