PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS(December 18th, 2023) Experience Turks and Caicos and the Ministry of Tourism is pleased to have sponsored the HJ Rugby Stallions for their recent tour and training in the United Kingdom.

The group, comprising 21 teens between the ages of 14 to 17, as well as their coach, Austin Dickenson, Assistant Head Coach, Michael Woodbine and four chaperones – Ms. Rose Dickinson, Ms. Carmen Ariza, Mr. Wesley Cherry, and Mr. Jeffrey Castillotravelled to the UK between December 3rd and 10th, 2023. They left with the support of Keith Burant, President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Rugby Football Union.

The team, from the HJ Robinson High School in Grand Turk, attended training at the Gravesend Grammar School in Rochester, England, which has one of the top rugby teams.

Experience Turks and Caicos and the Ministry of Tourism donated $14,000 to the team.

“We are very pleased to assist in the development of young talent in the Turks and Caicos Islands. We look forward to one day seeing our homegrown rugby talent shine not just at home but also on the international stage. The exposure and training the team received will have a lasting impact and will motivate them positively on and off the field,” said the Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Josephine Connolly.

Head coach Mr. Dickenson said while in Rochester the team received skills training from the coaches and practiced with the A Team.

“The trip aimed to expose them to the real experience of where rugby came from and to do it in winter, which is the peak time for the sport.  They had the highest training that any kid from Grand Turk ever experienced. This was the first time a team from Grand Turk underwent this type of training.” Mr. Dickenson said.

Mr. Cherry, a player with the Turks and Caicos Islands national team based in Providenciales also did training separately with the national Rugby Club in England while there.

In addition to training, the delegation took time to sightsee.

They visited the House of Parliament, met the Mayor of Rochester and toured two rugby clubs. The delegation also presented gifts from the Turks and Caicos Islands to their hosts.