A record number of teams from the Caribbean Islands will be participating at the 2024 TROPICAL 7s later this month in Tampa, Florida. Six sides from the region will be participating in the tournament including teams representing Jamaica Rugby, the Dominican Republic, the Cayman Islands as well as Trinidad & Tobago.
Jamaica Rugby have entered two representative sides into this year's tournament and will be using the tournament to establish a high performance training camp for their senior women's development and under 18 boys elite teams. Jamaica Rugby 'Development' Women will play in TROPICAL 7s' first ever Women's division and willl be looking to use the tournament as an opportunity to showcase new talent for selection ahead of this summer Olympics Repechage qualifier over June 21st-23rd in Monaco, France.
Jamaica Rugby's U18 Boys Elite team will also use the tournament and training days as a high performance camp to inform selections aheadof the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Under 19 7s tournament in November later this year.
Players are either based in Jamaica or come from the wider Jamaican diaspora in England, USA and Canada who qualify to represent 'Roots Jamaica'. Some players are also looking to further their rugby playing opportunities within the US college system. "I'm looking forward to seeing how our players come together from all over the globe in beautiful Tampa Bay for 2 days of training camp, knowing that they are representing themselves, their family, their country Jamaica and the Jamaican diaspora." commented Bruce Martin, Technical Director for Jamaica Rugby 7s and also a World Rugby L2 Coach. "Tropical 7s is creating opportunities and pathways for our players that will be able to move on to US colleges and go on to represent their country at future Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cups."
Cayman Rugby, having previously competed at the Tropical 7 when the tournament was held in Orlando, will also be sending 2 two sides to the 2024 TROPICAL 7s in the U18 Boys Open and U14 Boys divisions. As the U18 squad prepares for the TROPICAL 7’s tournament in Tampa, the coaches are eagerly anticipating the rare chance for the team to gain valuable game time and tour together. Beyond the pitch, Cayman Rugby is more than a club — it’s a family affair with many of the players’ relatives actively involved in the club and the club’s sense of community is something they are proud of. The Cayman Rugby U18 squad is a close-knit group, proudly representing the island’s only rugby club. This diverse team comprises players from the Caribbean, North America, the UK and Ireland. Beyond participating in the tournament, the trip is seen as an opportunity to strengthen team bonds, an essential foundation for their progression into senior rugby, whether for local sides or the national team. The journey is not just about the game; it’s about unity and fostering lasting connections within the Cayman Rugby family.
"I have been playing rugby since I was 5, in both Cayman and Australia. I started playing because my dad represented Cayman and wanted me to start playing rugby as well. I enjoy rugby because I like working in a team, the physicality of it and using plays and strategies to get the edge in a game.," commented Cayman's U18 Boys Captain, Clancy Hannon. "My goals in rugby are to try and represent Cayman at the highest possible level and I am excited for Tropical 7s to play the best teams possible and become the best player I can be. Playing at international level and representing Cayman is an amazing feeling, as I am playing for the country where I was born and playing for my friends and my family,"
Trinity College Moka, an all-boys college from the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is playing at TROPICAL 7s for the first time in the U18 Boys Open division. The team has a strong rugby heritage having dominated the youth schools division over the last decade and is looking to use the 2024 TROPICAL 7s as an opportunity to expose the young team to international competition. Some of the boys are currently training with the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Academy with their sights set firmly on representing their country later this year at the Rugby Americas North 7s under 19 division.
The team is being led by captain, Dasan LaCroix, who has had an excellent season with Caribs RFC, dominating the local club season, and brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the team. "The team will be participating in their first ever international tournament, with the intention to expose the players to a competitive environment and experience the rugby culture in the USA," commented Head Coach, Don Sucre.
The 2024 TROPICAL 7s also sees the 'Tainos', the national representative team from the Dominican Republic making their debut in the U23 Mens Open division.
We wish all our Caribbean teams the best of luck at this year's tournament.
Teams from around the globe are invited to compete in the International Youth Rugby Sevens tournament to be held on 29-30 March 2024 (Fri/Sat of Easter weekend) at the Tournament Sportsplex of Tampa Bay in Florida, USA. Registration for the 2024 Tropical 7s closes on 15th March.
Full details at www.tropical7s.com.
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