The Tribune

THE traditional and charitable Buccaneers Rugby Club Boxing Day seven-a-side rugby tournament, which will be played on Boxing Day at the Winton Rugby Field, has been renamed in memory of Sean Neville, who died earlier this year.

A consummate all-round sportsman, Sean Neville was outstanding in every sport he took up, from athletics to basketball, baseball to swimming, soccer and rugby. The 31-year-old father of a young daughter was shot and killed in February near his home in eastern New Providence, a crime which remains unsolved.

He still holds the 400m records at St Andrew's School and medalled at the BAIS track championships. While at school he was the starting guard when they won the Father Marcian Peters Basketball championship. He played baseball with the Freedom Farm team (when they actually played on the farm chasing Macgyver the goat off the pitch before they could begin). He swam for the Seabees club winning countless medals and winning relay medals for the Bahamas in Carifta and CCCAN championships. He loved boating, fishing, spearfishing and he was an excellent wakeboarder.

Soccer was his first love. He represented The Bahamas at all age levels, played Division One with North Carolina State University and Adidas sponsored his visit to Germany for trials with Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen, two leading clubs.

He first played seven-a-side rugby in 1999 with the team - co-founded by Dorian Roach, along with friends Ryan, Ray, Damian, Cameron and Phil - known as the “Drunk Monks”. They won the tournament, beating The Tribune’s team in the final, and the newspaper’s report quoted Dorian Roach: “Sean really surprised a lot of people including us. We did not realise how fast he was and how good a rugby player he is.” It was also reported that “Neville scored the first try of the second half when he got around the outside and outran the whole Tribune team.”

The same “Drunk Monks” team went on to win the 2000 “Soccer in the Sand” tournament at Blackbeard’s Cay. They have also managed a few more sevens trophies since.

Sean had started his own construction business and devoted his time to work and his daughter, Skylah. He helped numerous people, quietly and without fanfare, had a huge heart and was loved by so many. His family are honoured that Buccaneers Rugby Club is honouring his memory and appreciate their offering to donate the proceeds to Skylah’s education.

The tournament on Saturday kicks off about midday (or when the teams arrive) and finishes before it gets dark. Sevens is an exciting type of rugby with only seven players (rather than the full 15) and the whole pitch to cover, making speed and experience essential.

Buccaneers have held this tournament on Boxing Day from shortly after their formation over 50 years ago. It is always special, with players and supporters arriving at the games from Junkanoo, leaving many players struggling to get around the pitch but spectators are always in fine form. Over the years the proceeds have been donated to various charities, including the Hardacre Clinic and children’s homes. Plenty of refreshments are avaialble to help the day along.