Barbados rugby received a huge boost yesterday with the announcement of a
major sponsorship with Intimate Hotels of Barbados. The sponsorship will
support Barbados Sevens Rugby which is about to enter its most exciting
period ever with participation in a number of international events including
the Commonwealth Games in Scotland.
  Pirates Inn General Manager Renee Coppin made the announcement at a Press
Conference and said rugby and sports tourism in general was a perfect fit
for the Intimate Hotels of Barbados Group which can accommodate the
requirements of virtually any sports group or individual on price, quality
of product and facilities. Rugby President George Nicholson endorsed the
hotel group's enterprise and highlighted the importance of Rugby Sevens to
the development of local rugby and the significance of Barbados playing at
international level in Europe and South America. He also gave notice of an
ambitious plan to have a big international Rugby Sevens event on the island
next year.
  National Sevens Coach Joe Whipple is just back from the UK where the
Barbados Squad has been doing intensive training in preparation for the
Commonwealth Games and later tournaments. He praised the huge commitment and
dedication of the squad who will face some of the best players in the world
in Scotland. He highlighted the intensity of the squad's preparation on and
off the rugby field and the focus on diet and health as much as fitness and
training. He felt Barbados rugby is now making an impact on the global stage
and that teams and clubs will come to the island in the future because of
the profile generated by the Sevens teams. The BBC and various UK media
channels plus newspapers have focused on the Barbados team and their
coverage has given the island huge exposure to millions of viewers and
readers and potential tourists in the prime UK market.
  This augurs well for both Barbados sports tourism and Barbados rugby which
is now entering into the most exciting time in its history.
    
PHOTO CAPTION
Barbados Rugby Sevens Coach Joe Whipple receives a sponsorship cheque from
Renee Coppin of the Intimate Hotels of Barbados Group