Trinidad and Tobago men and women national rugby sevens teams will battle for a place in the 2013 Rugby World Cup sevens this weekend (25--26 August) at Twin Elm Rugby Park, Ottawa, Canada.
The T&T men's team will depart tomorrow morning for Canada. The women's team left on Sunday.
Chairman of the TTRFU selection committee Curtis Nero said both teams have players making their international debuts.
" It is a big tournament with rugby world cup qualification at stake. But the reality is that we have to select our 7s teams with Rio 2016 and beyond in mind. I am excited to see how the new players perform at the international level."
President of the TTRFU Leslie Figaro asserted that the local rugby union remains confident that its investment in the young players will pay dividends in the next year or two.
"Its a new era with Rio 2016 and the return of Rugby to the Olympic programme. Jonathon O'Connor(captain) is unavailable due to recent dental surgery. Jason Clark a key player suffered a broken finger at training yesterday. The younger players have worked hard and have the opportunity ." added Figaro.
Caribs rugby club back row forward Kurt Quashie will lead the T&T men's team .
'' Kurt has worked hard , is showing positive leadership on and off the field. The coach (Larry Mendez) is confident he(Quashie) will do a an excellent job." said Nero
Three players making their senior national 7s debut are Anthony Lopez( Caribs), Phillip Rogers(UWI)) and Stefan Cooksammy(Stourbridge RFC) an English born player qualified to play for T&T by grandparent.
Rugby Canada will host the 2012 North America Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Sevens championship , which will also act as a qualifier for the 2013 Rugby Sevens World Cup.
In the Men’s competition teams from Canada, Bermuda, Bahamas, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and St Vincent and The Grenadines and on the Women’s side teams from Canada, Guyana, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Mexico, Barbados, St Vincent and The Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago, will do battle with the top two Men’s teams and the top Women’s team moving on to next year's Rugby World Cup final in Moscow, Russia.
National Women
Joy Rodney-Wilkes Physio
Jenilee Limada Royalians
Kanisha Vincent New Player Royalians
Alesha Bruce Royalians
Juliana Straker Romans
Ayana Skeete Royalians
Abigail Roberts Royalians
Taliah Wilson Royalians
Nicolette Pantor Exiles
Kwanieze John Royalians
Merlin Blackford Romans
Onica George New Player Police
Arrona Parris Romans
Ebony Young Player/Manager
Simone Andrews-Nero Coach
National Men
Anthony Lopez Caribs
Kelson Figaro Royalians
Joseph Quashie Harvard
James Phillip Royalians
Andrew Taylor Caribs
Phillip Rogers UWI
Agboola Silverton Rainbow
Kurt Quashie Caribs
Daryl Scott Rainbow
Stefan Cooksammy Sturbridge R.F.C.
Tariq Cheekes Harvard
Keishon Walker Tobago RFC
Larry Mendez Coach
Derek Ashby-Williams Physio
Curtis Nero Manager