The twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago celebrated a significant achievement on the international sports stage as both its men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams clinched bronze medals at the 2025 Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens tournament. Held at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar from November 21-23, the event saw the home teams deliver strong performances, with the men’s squad also securing a coveted spot in the 2026 Caribbean and Central American (CAC) Games.
A Resounding Bronze for the Men’s Eagles
The Trinidad and Tobago men’s team showcased their resilience and determination by defeating Bermuda with a commanding 29-5 victory in the bronze medal playoff. The match saw a stellar performance from Jonathan Taylor, who led the scoring with a hat-trick of tries. Ruairi O’Farrell and Agboola Silverthorn also contributed crucial tries, with O’Farrell adding two conversions to seal the win and the third-place finish. This bronze medal triumph was particularly significant as it secured the men’s team qualification for the 2026 CAC Games, to be held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The team had faced a tough semi-final against eventual champions Canada, falling 44-0, but regrouped effectively to secure their spot on the podium and a berth in the prestigious regional games.
Women’s Team Claims Hard-Fought Bronze
The Trinidad and Tobago women’s team mirrored their male counterparts by also securing a bronze medal, delivering a dominant 27-0 shutout victory over Bermuda in their respective bronze medal match. Fayola Jack was instrumental in the women’s win, crossing the try line twice, supported by tries from Kalena Burke, Alyssa Fields, and Chaneisha John. Fields had previously been a standout performer on the opening day, scoring four tries against Guyana and Bermuda. While the women’s team celebrated their bronze medal success, they narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2026 CAC Games, as only the top two teams in the women’s division earned those coveted spots. This marks the second consecutive year the women’s team has secured a bronze medal at the RAN Sevens.
A Successful Tournament on Home Turf
Trinidad and Tobago hosted the RAN Sevens tournament for the second consecutive year, a testament to their commitment to developing rugby in the Caribbean. The 2025 edition saw an expansion to three days of competition, featuring 20 teams from 14 countries across Men’s Tier 1, Men’s Tier 2, and the Women’s divisions. The event served as a crucial pathway for qualification to various international tournaments, including the World Rugby HSBC SVNS pathway for the bracket winners, and the 2026 CAC Games for the top regional finishers.
According to Chad Simeon, Treasurer of the Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Union (TTRU), the tournament was a resounding success for the host nation. “We came into the tournament hoping to qualify for the CAC Games. The senior men, thankfully, achieved that,” Simeon stated. “Unfortunately, the women fell short, but we are proud of their accomplishments. They worked hard and secured bronze for the second year running.” He added, “It’s the second of three years; we are hosting again in 2026. We learnt from last year’s experiences and we continue to build on it. We hope to make TT a tourist destination for rugby.”
Regional Powerhouses and Future Prospects
Canada continued its dominance in the men’s competition, clinching their second consecutive RAN Sevens title by defeating Barbados 31-0 in the final. The Canadian men’s team is on a determined path to reclaim its place in the elite HSBC SVNS circuit, using tournaments like the RAN Sevens as crucial stepping stones in their journey. In the women’s category, Mexico secured their second successive title, edging out Jamaica 20-17 in a repeat of the previous year’s final.
The 2025 RAN Sevens not only highlighted the growing talent within the Caribbean region but also underscored Trinidad and Tobago’s role as a key hub for regional rugby development. With the men’s team set for the CAC Games and the nation once again preparing to host the tournament in 2026, the future looks promising for sports in the Caribbean.