Twenty-seven-year-old Alwyn Etwah left Guyana this morning for Las Vegas where he will perform duties as an assistant referee for the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) USA Seven’s World Series tournament to be held this weekend.
The IRB certified official, speaking with Stabroek Sports yesterday, said that he was ecstatic by the fact that he will be sharing the field with some of the elite referees in the world and being almost perfect was the only thing on his mind.
Etwah is no stranger to the big stage since the former player officiated in the West Indies Rugby Union (WIRU) under-16 tournament as well as the North American and West Indies Rugby Association (NAWIRA) Caribbean 15s Championship and the NAWIRA Rugby World Cup Qualifiers which was held in Bahamas last year.
His last assignment was at the NACRA Seven’s Championship which was used as a qualifier for the Sevens World Series.
“This did not come a surprise really, you know, actually I was told about it at my last assignment.
“But it’s just that now it’s going to happen, it makes me very, very happy. I’m happy because one, I’ll be at one of the World Series for the Seven’s type, and that’s a big deal.
“Secondly, I’m happy because there is so much to learn, because it’s the best from around the world so I’ll just try to do my best,” he added.
“Actually, my first real assignment would be on Thursday because there are club tournaments being played that we have to officiate,” Etwah pointed out adding that for the games’ prior to the start of the World Series, he would be the referee in charge.
He said that he switched from playing the game he loves to holding the whistle because… “Well honestly, the game kind of got too fast for me as a player. “First I wanted to do some coaching but chose to be an official because it’s more scope and exposure and you get more recognition in the game, more places to go and so on.”
The USA Sevens World Series will feature 16 of the world’s top playing rugby nations with Guyana making its first appearance.
The Guyana team is the only Caribbean team at the February 13 – 14 event.
