Trinidad and Tobago will host the Rugby Americas North (RAN) regional tournament for the first time in eight years
The international competition returns to T&T for the first time since 2016. The two-day event will take place from November 23-24 at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima.
“We are excited that the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Senior Men’s and Women’s Sevens is returning to Trinidad and Tobago,” stated Maria Thomas, Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Union president in an interview with the rugbyamerica website.
“Hosting the region’s premier tournament helps us to align with the stated goals of our Ministry of Sport and Community Development by uplifting our local rugby product.
“The timing is perfect to continue the momentum of the Commonwealth Youth Games, where rugby was held in Tobago, and the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago’s provision of the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima, for the RAN Sevens helps us to strategically showcase rugby in another part of the country.”
The competition will boast a senior men’s and a senior women’s bracket comprised of the region’s participating national teams. Beyond further development in a high-performance setting and invaluable experience for participating teams, the tournament will act as qualification for the 2025 HSBC Sevens Challenger Series.
“The Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Union has been experiencing a marked upturn in personal investment throughout its members, contributing to the sustainable growth of both our grassroots and National programmes,” continued Thomas. “We have been building a cache of technical expertise and local support which enables us to showcase not only our incredible athletes, but also the immense team of ‘behind the scenes’ volunteers who keep the Union in motion.
“As a high-profile influencer of regional rugby, the RAN Sevens is the perfect stage to reiterate the quality of our product to our local stakeholders and nation. With a jam-packed local Sevens tournament schedule leading up to the international event, we look forward to rounding out the 2024 rugby season on a high with the RAN Sevens.”
“We are proud to welcome our RAN neighbours, near and far, for the camaraderie that is made ever stronger by the regional solidarity we build through competition. For our athletes, there is no feeling like taking the field in national kit to represent for our home crowd of supporters.”
The tournament will be live streamed globally, with further details to come, including participating countries, tournament format, and schedule.