Rugby champion Grace Jarvis

By Venessa Deosaran
Hard tackling, strategic footwork and upper-body strength are just a few features describing acclaimed Yamaha Caribs rugby champion MVP Grace Jarvis. The epitome of determination and perseverance, she has gracefully yet aggressively proven she has what it takes to be a champion.

However, Grace’s introduction to rugby came as a surprise even to her, as she never viewed herself as a competitive woman.
In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Grace revealed that she hails from the north-west region village of Moruca where she was schooled, and spent most of her years there growing up with her family.
An opportunity beckons
But Grace wanted something more than a simple village life. The opportunity came when Grace’s eldest sister encouraged her to move to the capital city with the aim of developing herself financially.
“I didn’t know how to reach to town. All my life what I knew was about where I grew up. My sister advised me to save my money and learn how to get to Georgetown. In 1992, I arrived in Georgetown and I was faced with the challenge of getting around. Everything for me was totally different. But I was determined to make it work. I found a one bedroom apartment and started working. All this happening when I was about 16 years old,” Grace recalled.
In the hustle of city life, Grace worked many late nights to make ends meet. As time went by she met with many difficulties, and became pregnant at the age of 18. With no one to help her, Grace pressed on.
“I didn’t lose hope. My father offered to take me back to my hometown but I refused.
“When I got my son I was determined to make a good life for us and so with him in the daycare, I would work very hard. Later, I got my second son with someone who I had a long term relationship – but that didn’t work out. Now I was once again a single parent. But I didn’t lose hope,” she revealed.
Introduction to the game
Grace turned to working out and jogging in the National Park as a way to relieve her stress. She would bundle up her children and head to the park. After her children, Grace said she had gained weight and did not want to be unfit. So she spent her afternoons after work in the park jogging.

While at the park she observed a team of men playing a game that seemed at the time very intriguing but yet confusing to understand.
“I was saying to myself that it looked like a really rough game. Then one day while resting in the park, a guy approached me and asked if I was interested in the game of rugby. I refused saying it was too rough. He described the game to me and I agreed to give it a try.
“He told me to hold the ball and squat then throw the ball. He inquired if I was ever involved in sports before to which I said no. He was really impressed in the way I handled the ball and this encouraged me to play competitively. In 2005, I played my first competitive rugby game,”
Overcoming setbacks
Victories poured in, but in 2007, while playing rugby, she broke her right leg and was deemed unfit to play for an entire year. Grace did not give up hope. Her determination kicked in and she just could not retire to a bench.
“My coach told me the rugby group was going to Trinidad and if I could get the money I could go with them. Although my leg was not fully healed, I got my money and went with them. I was so eager to get on the field when I saw them playing. Then I saw how the opposition team played and I was very annoyed – they were taking advantage of my team. I asked my coach to go on the field to play. He asked if I was fit to do so and I said yes. My bones itched to go on the field. I went out and did my best and although we didn’t win, we performed very well and was praised for our competitiveness,” the athlete said.
The Yamaha Caribs player said she received comments that she was slow and could not last as a rugby player, but she was resolute in proving them wrong.
“A 7-a-side team is a fast one and many said I could not put one together because I’m slow. In 2009, I made a pact with myself that I will prove these people wrong and bring home the winning trophy – and so said, so done. In Bahamas we won the game. In 2010, we went to Mexico and won there too, and won in Guyana also.
“Last year, I was one of three women to play in the 15-aside team in the Caribbean Selects, which was big for me. Just after that I played in the Cayman Islands and was named an MVP champion,” she said proudly.
Grace’s strategies include focusing on upper body strength, so she sticks to a strict exercise and diet routine. She has started lessons in martial arts, which she wants to venture into competitively.
Motherhood
As a single parent, Grace never neglects her children when it comes to being a mother and mentor. She describes herself as a “professional athletic mother.” She ensures school work is done on time and she spends quality time with them. Her sons, now 16 and 9, are very competitive as well. Grace has enrolled them in swimming classes, which, she said, will help build and boost their physical vigour.
“They love swimming. I see a lot of myself in them when it comes to being a determined athlete. Sometimes my coaching persona would step in and my children would complain that I’m too hard on them. I would tell them that I have to be sometimes because I play the role of mommy and daddy, said the devoted mother.
For those who want to get into rugby, Grace encourages that they first learn the rules and ask questions. Grace completed her coaching programme as something to do when she retires from her game.
“Taking into consideration aging and not being physically fit to keep playing, I completed the programme, and now it’s only time for me to put it into practice. There are youths who are interested in rugby and I would willingly work with them if I’m asked.
“Last year, I coached some girls who wanted to play the sport, at first, some of them almost cried because they complained it was rough and difficult. I offered words of encouragement and took them through the rugby basics, teaching both physical and mental skills, and they won the tournament for that day. Just goes to show determination is vital to be a winner,” Grace pointed out.
Promoting the game
Grace is suggesting more sponsorship is needed to take the women rugby teams to other countries and represent their country. The champion said prior to becoming an athlete she would always doubt her strength in fulfilling her goals, but then she developed the willpower to push herself and take up challenges, which has made her a better individual and mother.
“Never give up hope, rather take up challenges, push yourself; I encourage women to join a gym and get fit and eat healthy. It helps mentally and physically, and develops your self-esteem.” (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
By Venessa Deosaran
Hard tackling, strategic footwork and upper-body strength are just a few features describing acclaimed Yamaha Caribs rugby champion MVP Grace Jarvis. The epitome of determination and perseverance, she has gracefully yet aggressively proven she has what it takes to be a champion.However, Grace’s introduction to rugby came as a surprise even to her, as she never viewed herself as a competitive woman.In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Grace revealed that she hails from the north-west region village of Moruca where she was schooled, and spent most of her years there growing up with her family.An opportunity beckons But Grace wanted something more than a simple village life. The opportunity came when Grace’s eldest sister encouraged her to move to the capital city with the aim of developing herself financially.“I didn’t know how to reach to town. All my life what I knew was about where I grew up. My sister advised me to save my money and learn how to get to Georgetown. In 1992, I arrived in Georgetown and I was faced with the challenge of getting around. Everything for me was totally different. But I was determined to make it work. I found a one bedroom apartment and started working. All this happening when I was about 16 years old,” Grace recalled.In the hustle of city life, Grace worked many late nights to make ends meet. As time went by she met with many difficulties, and became pregnant at the age of 18. With no one to help her, Grace pressed on.“I didn’t lose hope. My father offered to take me back to my hometown but I refused.“When I got my son I was determined to make a good life for us and so with him in the daycare, I would work very hard. Later, I got my second son with someone who I had a long term relationship – but that didn’t work out. Now I was once again a single parent. But I didn’t lose hope,” she revealed.Introduction to the game Grace turned to working out and jogging in the National Park as a way to relieve her stress. She would bundle up her children and head to the park. After her children, Grace said she had gained weight and did not want to be unfit. So she spent her afternoons after work in the park jogging.While at the park she observed a team of men playing a game that seemed at the time very intriguing but yet confusing to understand.“I was saying to myself that it looked like a really rough game. Then one day while resting in the park, a guy approached me and asked if I was interested in the game of rugby. I refused saying it was too rough. He described the game to me and I agreed to give it a try.“He told me to hold the ball and squat then throw the ball. He inquired if I was ever involved in sports before to which I said no. He was really impressed in the way I handled the ball and this encouraged me to play competitively. In 2005, I played my first competitive rugby game,” Overcoming setbacks Victories poured in, but in 2007, while playing rugby, she broke her right leg and was deemed unfit to play for an entire year. Grace did not give up hope. Her determination kicked in and she just could not retire to a bench.“My coach told me the rugby group was going to Trinidad and if I could get the money I could go with them. Although my leg was not fully healed, I got my money and went with them. I was so eager to get on the field when I saw them playing. Then I saw how the opposition team played and I was very annoyed – they were taking advantage of my team. I asked my coach to go on the field to play. He asked if I was fit to do so and I said yes. My bones itched to go on the field. I went out and did my best and although we didn’t win, we performed very well and was praised for our competitiveness,” the athlete said.The Yamaha Caribs player said she received comments that she was slow and could not last as a rugby player, but she was resolute in proving them wrong.“A 7-a-side team is a fast one and many said I could not put one together because I’m slow. In 2009, I made a pact with myself that I will prove these people wrong and bring home the winning trophy – and so said, so done. In Bahamas we won the game. In 2010, we went to Mexico and won there too, and won in Guyana also.“Last year, I was one of three women to play in the 15-aside team in the Caribbean Selects, which was big for me. Just after that I played in the Cayman Islands and was named an MVP champion,” she said proudly.Grace’s strategies include focusing on upper body strength, so she sticks to a strict exercise and diet routine. She has started lessons in martial arts, which she wants to venture into competitively.Motherhood As a single parent, Grace never neglects her children when it comes to being a mother and mentor. She describes herself as a “professional athletic mother.” She ensures school work is done on time and she spends quality time with them. Her sons, now 16 and 9, are very competitive as well. Grace has enrolled them in swimming classes, which, she said, will help build and boost their physical vigour.“They love swimming. I see a lot of myself in them when it comes to being a determined athlete. Sometimes my coaching persona would step in and my children would complain that I’m too hard on them. I would tell them that I have to be sometimes because I play the role of mommy and daddy, said the devoted mother.For those who want to get into rugby, Grace encourages that they first learn the rules and ask questions. Grace completed her coaching programme as something to do when she retires from her game.“Taking into consideration aging and not being physically fit to keep playing, I completed the programme, and now it’s only time for me to put it into practice. There are youths who are interested in rugby and I would willingly work with them if I’m asked.“Last year, I coached some girls who wanted to play the sport, at first, some of them almost cried because they complained it was rough and difficult. I offered words of encouragement and took them through the rugby basics, teaching both physical and mental skills, and they won the tournament for that day. Just goes to show determination is vital to be a winner,” Grace pointed out.Promoting the game Grace is suggesting more sponsorship is needed to take the women rugby teams to other countries and represent their country. The champion said prior to becoming an athlete she would always doubt her strength in fulfilling her goals, but then she developed the willpower to push herself and take up challenges, which has made her a better individual and mother.“Never give up hope, rather take up challenges, push yourself; I encourage women to join a gym and get fit and eat healthy. It helps mentally and physically, and develops your self-esteem.” (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)