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Monday, April 28, 2025
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Bermuda Set for Tests Against Bahamas & Cayman Islands
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Rugby Americas North (RAN) has unveiled an exciting schedule of senior men's international test matches for 2025, with Bermuda set to face both the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands.
The announcement signals a continued commitment to developing rugby within the region, providing valuable competition and World Rugby ranking opportunities for nations including Guyana, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
Looking ahead, RAN has also outlined a significant structural change for its Men's XVs competition, set to take effect in 2026. The introduction of a three-tier system will aim to provide all participating unions with a clear pathway to compete in the Regional 2031 Rugby World Cup qualification process.
Bermuda's confirmed fixtures for the 2025 RAN international window are:
May 17: Bahamas vs Bermuda
June 13: Cayman Islands vs Bermuda
These matches will provide crucial tests for the Bermuda national team as they continue their development within the Rugby Americas North framework and look to improve their standing in the World Rugby rankings. The upcoming clashes against regional rivals will be important stepping stones as the longer-term pathway towards the 2031 Rugby World Cup begins to take shape.
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Saturday, April 19, 2025
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West Indies Women Reach Final but Men Fall Short
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Bermuda's rugby representatives concluded their participation at the TROPICAL 7s tournament in Florida, with the West Indies Women's team, featuring Najée Pitt-Clarke and Corrie Cross, making a strong run to the Women’s Elite Championship Final, while the Men's team, including Hadleigh Tucker and Jahniko Francis, were unable to progress beyond the Group Stage.
The West Indies Men's team began the final day of the tournament on a positive note, securing a comfortable 33-12 victory over Boston Rugby Select. However, they faced stiffer competition in their subsequent matches, falling narrowly to the Great Danes Select 21-19 before concluding their group fixtures with a 17-10 loss to the Pirates 7’s. Despite the opening win, these defeats meant the Men's team did not advance to the knockout stages of the competition.
The West Indies Women's team, with Pitt-Clarke and Cross playing key roles, enjoyed a more successful run. They demonstrated their quality by defeating the Chicago Lions in their Quarter-Final Play-off. This victory propelled them into the Semi-Final, where they continued their impressive form with a dominant 17-5 win over Phoenix Rugby, securing their place in the Women’s Elite Championship Final.
In the final showdown, the West Indies Women faced a tough challenge against the defending champions, MacDowell Rugby. In a closely fought contest, the West Indies team ultimately fell to a 26-19 defeat. Despite the loss in the final, their strong performance throughout the tournament, reaching the championship match, is a testament to their talent and teamwork.
The TROPICAL 7s tournament provided valuable international experience for the Bermudian players representing the West Indies. While the Men's team will be disappointed not to have progressed further, the Women's team's impressive journey to the final highlights the growing strength of rugby within the Caribbean region. The contributions of Pitt-Clarke, Cross, Tucker, and Francis will undoubtedly serve as inspiration for aspiring rugby players in Bermuda.
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Friday, April 18, 2025
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Bermudian Talent Represents West Indies in TROPICAL 7s
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A quartet of Bermuda's rugby players are showcasing their skills on the international stage, representing the West Indies at the TROPICAL 7s tournament currently underway in Florida.
Najée Pitt-Clarke and Corrie Cross have been selected for the West Indies Women's team, while Hadleigh Tucker and Jahniko Francis are donning the colours for the West Indies Men's side in the highly competitive sevens tournament.
The West Indies Men got their campaign off to a positive start with a 28-14 victory over Saratoga Jockeys in their opening match. Tries were scored by Lionel Holder, Tryrese Precod, and the Bermudian duo of Hadleigh Tucker and Jahniko Francis. Tucker also demonstrated his kicking prowess, successfully converting all four tries.
The West Indies Women also experienced a thrilling start to their tournament, securing a nail-biting 22-17 victory over NAV in their opening fixture, with a decisive try in the final play of the game sealing the win. Their momentum continued into their second match as they recorded a dominant 32-7 victory over Phoenix Rugby. However, their final match of Day One saw them fall to a 20-12 defeat against MacDowell Rugby.
Unfortunately, the West Indies Men faced tougher opposition in their subsequent matches. Their second game saw them lose 26-12 to the Black Goats, and they concluded their Day One fixtures with a 34-12 defeat against Crewmen Rugby.
Despite the mixed results on the opening day, the involvement of these talented Bermudian players on the West Indies teams highlights the growing strength and depth of rugby in Bermuda. Pitt-Clarke, Cross, Tucker, and Francis will be looking to draw on their skills and experience as the TROPICAL 7s tournament progresses. The competition provides a valuable opportunity for these players to test themselves against international opposition and further develop their game.
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Sunday, April 13, 2025
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Whalley & St. Thomas defeat Florida State in Championship
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Alex Whalley and his St. Thomas University Rugby teammates competed in the Division 1 State Championships, where they defeated Florida State University with a final score of 36-26.
Florida State University had earned their place in the championship match by defeating the University of Central Florida 43-17. Whalley and his St. Thomas University Men's Rugby teammates secured their championship berth with a 34-22 victory over the No. 17 ranked University of South Florida.
The final match was a rematch of an earlier encounter, as Whalley and his St. Thomas University Men's Rugby previously defeated Florida State University Rugby 31-12 in the season opener. This championship game saw St. Thomas University inflict a second loss on Florida State University Rugby.
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Friday, April 11, 2025
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Bermuda Players Selected for TROPICAL 7s Tournament
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 Four players from the Bermuda Rugby National team have been selected to represent the West Indies at the TROPICAL 7s tournament, a significant achievement for both the players and Bermudian rugby.
The TROPICAL 7s is a major rugby event in North America, described as the largest and premier rugby 7s festival. It draws over 200 teams every Easter from across the continent and from around the world, offering a high-level rugby 7s experience under the Florida sun and will be played April 18th & 19th.
The four selected players are:
Najée Pitt-Clarke
Corrie Cross
Hadleigh Tucker
Jahniko Francis
This selection is particularly historic as it marks the first time a women's West Indies team has been formed. Therefore, Pitt-Clarke and Cross will be making history as part of this groundbreaking team.
The TROPICAL 7s tournament provides a diverse range of playing opportunities, catering to various age groups. It features both male and female divisions at every age grade, creating a unique player pathway that encompasses youth, college, and senior levels of rugby within a single competition.
Jonathan Keith Cassidy will serve as a team manager for the West Indies squad.
The selection of these Bermudian players to represent the West Indies at the TROPICAL 7s reflects the growing prominence of rugby in Bermuda and the talent of its athletes.
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