Rugbymen, footballers in clash over stadium.

[Flex]

Rugbymen, footballers in clash over stadium.
T&T Newsday Reports.

A row is brewing between the Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) over the use of the Hasely Crawford Stadium at Mucurapo for matches planned by both organisations next month.

But yesterday Jack Warner, CONCACAF president and Special Advisor to the TTFF made it clear that his federation does not want to be part of any controversy.

The disagreement stems from a scheduled first-leg Rugby World Cup qualifying encounter between Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil on October 11 and a return football World Cup qualifier against the USA at the same venue on October 14.

Newsday understands that the TTRFU and the TTFF have booked the stadium venue for the entire week of the matches. And this is to allow both the visiting and home teams the opportunity to train on the ground ahead of their respective ties.

In a release sent out by Brian Lewis, secretary of the Rugby Football Union yesterday, it was stated that the TTRFU are exploring the use of Fatima College Ground and the St Mary’s College Grounds as replacements. Lewis stated however that both facilities could well be booked for Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) action in October.

Lewis who is also chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board (TTBB) and Secretary General of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) said the rugby football union could face a significant overlay in costs if the stadium is not available to them for the October 11 encounter.

The opening World Cup qualifying match will be followed by the second leg at a date and venue to be announced in Brazil. The winner of both legs will join Chile and Uraguay in the CONSUR A’ Rugby World Cup 2011 Qualifying Tournament which is scheduled for May 2009. The winners of this play-off will face the losers of Canada and the USA in June next year- following which the winners of both meet.

In April, TT defeated Guyana 40-24 in the final of the Caribbean Championship which ensured that they doubled-up as first round RWC 2011 and secure a place in the next round. Brazil meanwhile got the better of Paraguay 15-6 in the CONSUR ‘B’ tournament in June to progress to the next round.

[weary1969]

MLS/QPO we comin

[Bourbon]

STEUPS.
Never a dull moment nah.

[NUFF]

Is time we have a football only stadium where we host national team matches.  This stadium comess is getting out of hand.

[judge101]

rugby who d ass in tnt care bout rugby them want 25000 seat for that  when that is not evan enough for we football
 
like they loss where the savanah is steups

[palos]

Is time we have a football only stadium where we host national team matches.  This stadium comess is getting out of hand.

We have dat.  Is called Marvin Lee Stadium

[NUFF]

Is time we have a football only stadium where we host national team matches.  This stadium comess is getting out of hand.

We have dat. Is called Marvin Lee Stadium

If yuh want to call dat ah stadium.  De MLS look like ah stadium was being built but de workers walk of de job halfway through.

[Swima]

Is time we have a football only stadium where we host national team matches.  This stadium comess is getting out of hand.

We have dat. Is called Marvin Lee Stadium

If yuh want to call dat ah stadium.  De MLS look like ah stadium was being built but de workers walk of de job halfway through.

Well yuh special advisor say he fitting it with stands to the tune of 15,000 all seater in a year or two.

[PantherX]

rugby who d ass in tnt care bout rugby them want 25000 seat for that  when that is not evan enough for we football
 
like they loss where the savanah is steups

You signature is ironic considering that asnine statement.

[superoli]

At least the TTRFU  is self funding does not recieve government support and produces accounts every year.

PS also they lost the Grounds on the south side to the carnival complex and lost part of the grounds of presidents grounds for the prime minister house

[PantherX]

Very true.  The TTFF could learn a lot about spotts management from the TTRFU.

[Andre]

this should be settled via a game of cricket between the soca warriors and the rugby boys.

[KND2]

easy we should have the game down south or in Tobago; Rugby is once in a while so they should get the bligh and we should rotate the WCQ anyway.

everybody know the statdium go be empty for th we football games anyway, the smaller stadiums might actually sell out.

[pardners]

At least the TTRFU  is self funding does not recieve government support and produces accounts every year.

PS also they lost the Grounds on the south side to the carnival complex and lost part of the grounds of presidents grounds for the prime minister house

Yuh sure about that

[Bitter]

And here I thought it had more than one Stadium in T&T...

Storm in a teacup.

[Babalawo]

blame the HCS administration.  Even my 11 year old cousin have an organizer to mark down schedules

[Coop's]

blame the HCS administration.  Even my 11 year old cousin have an organizer to mark down schedules

       Nooooo Breds,government say they in control or runs anything to do with the stadium,you eh see JW say he staying out of that bachanal because he learned his lesson,the same thing he did is what Rugby have to do,where is the minister,he is the one to sort that out,Rugby is within their rights to use the stadium because all kind of shows and fete does use that stadium when they want without any problems,is only Football does get a hard time,the bossman pay he money already let them tell him he can't use it,he waiting on them,it's politics at it's best.

[D.H.W]

blame the HCS administration.  Even my 11 year old cousin have an organizer to mark down schedules

       Nooooo Breds,government say they in control or runs anything to do with the stadium,you eh see JW say he staying out of that bachanal because he learned his lesson,the same thing he did is what Rugby have to do,where is the minister,he is the one to sort that out,Rugby is within their rights to use the stadium because all kind of shows and fete does use that stadium when they want without any problems,is only Football does get a hard time,the bossman pay he money already let them tell him he can't use it,he waiting on them,it's politics at it's best.

yeh tickets sell aready, that go be real action.

[NYtriniwhiteboy..]

Go TnT Ruggers!!!
that being said i hope everything works out...but wherever the rugby and football play i will be at both matches

[Benchwarmer]

QRC venue for crucial T&T/Brazil Rugby World Cup game
Sep.05.2008

Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil will play their crucial 2011 Rugby World Cup first leg qualifier at the QRC Grounds in Port.of.Spain .

Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) president Leslie Figaro said that local rugby had run out of options and fortunately QRC came to the rescue .

The TTTRU had made a booking in July for the use of the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Saturday 11 October but with T&T playing a FIFA 2010 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday 14 October uncertainty arose as to the status of the TTRFU's request .

Fatima College the venue for the 1996 Brazil v T&T Rugby World Cup game ,which T&T won 46 -0, has a Inter col game scheduled for the 11th October .St Marys College ground site for the prestigious Carib Beer International 7s rugby tournament also has an Inter col football game carded for the day of the Rugby World Cup qualifier.

"It is not about right or wrong,it is about what is in the best interest of sport and the image of the country.I am disappointed by the way the Stadium has handled the matter.But both the T&T national football and rugby teams have all important World Cup games "said Figaro

It would be the first time an international rugby game will be played at the historic local landmark.

Figaro,a QRC past student and senior executive at WASA, said that the TTRFU will ensure that the QRC ground meets the IRB/RWC guidelines needed to pass the Match Commissioner's evaluation.

The local governing body for rugby will be extending invitations to a number of local dignitaries including the President of the Republic George Maxwell Richards and the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs,Gary Hunt.

"It will be a grand occasion for local rugby and we (TTRFU) have an obligation to make sure the T&T team has the inspiration, support and atmosphere they need to give of their best"

Figaro revealed that the TTRFU had hoped to make the game available on the Internet via streaming but that and other innovative marketing and media coverage plans now had to be put on hold as the QRC venue does not have the modern and world class amenities as the Hasely Crawford.

"We had targeted a crowd of 3 -4000 based on certain strategic marketing plans but our plans will have to be altered.But the most important aspect is T&T winning the game." added Figaro.

The local rugby chief urged the public ,media and corporate T&T to appreciate the fact that although less popular than football.The T&T national rugby team needs the support of the nation in the "Calypso/Samba" rugby match up.

[Tenorsaw]

Let dem go way with that shit.  Same thing they used to do on President's Ground with Rangers.  We used to have to compete with dem for space, and they used to act like they were some kind of elite.  Who vex, vex.  How many people really going out to look at a Rugby World Cup qualifier?  No disrespect, but we know which sport is the bigger draw.  Leh dem go in the Oval.  At the same time, the TTFF REALLY needs to sort out their choice of venues for international games.

[Coop's]

Let dem go way with that shit.  Same thing they used to do on President's Ground with Rangers.  We used to have to compete with dem for space, and they used to act like they were some kind of elite.  Who vex, vex.  How many people really going out to look at a Rugby World Cup qualifier?  No disrespect, but we know which sport is the bigger draw.  Leh dem go in the Oval.  At the same time, the TTFF REALLY needs to sort out their choice of venues for international games.

        The thing is they have no choice when everybody fighting them and playing political games over the venues it have in the country.

[Benchwarmer]

Let dem go way with that shit.  Same thing they used to do on President's Ground with Rangers.  We used to have to compete with dem for space, and they used to act like they were some kind of elite.  Who vex, vex.  How many people really going out to look at a Rugby World Cup qualifier?  No disrespect, but we know which sport is the bigger draw.  Leh dem go in the Oval.  At the same time, the TTFF REALLY needs to sort out their choice of venues for international games.

Yuh saying that, but rugby have 4000 5000 players and supporters.....

Football have a set of waggonist.. so how yuh go say thing.
and Rangers and the rugby team use to share the ground.......

[Tenorsaw]

Yuh saying that, but rugby have 4000 5000 players and supporters.....

Football have a set of waggonist.. so how yuh go say thing.
and Rangers and the rugby team use to share the ground.......

Yeah, but they used to almost not acknowledge that this was our home ground.  The issue was that they shared, but did so reluctantly.

[Deeks]

Both football and rugby need their own grounds for big international games. It is not who more important than who and who more elitist than the next. Unfortunately as you all can see, POS do not have any more space to build such facilities. The savannah is out and both Rangers and the rugby men lose out to Manning's palace. They should look for a place in the east.

[PantherX]

Yeah, but they used to almost not acknowledge that this was our home ground.  The issue was that they shared, but did so reluctantly.

The issue isn't with rugby in general  Rangers and Northern RFC have both been using President's Ground for their home games.

Northern RFC was using Presidents ground long before Rangers though.  The ground was suffering a lot of wear and tear so we eased off that's when Rangers went and push themself there.