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Saturday, April 04, 2026
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Desperate Day for Bermuda in Florida Sun
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A grueling second day at the Tropical Rugby Tournament saw Bermuda’s youth sides struggle to find their rhythm as the humidity and high-caliber opposition took their toll in Orlando.
After a testing opening day, the Under-14 boys faced a daunting schedule in the Consolation Pool C fixtures. Their morning began with a physical encounter against Golden Eagle Rugby. Despite flashes of individual brilliance and a spirited defensive effort in the opening stages, the Bermudians were unable to contain the expansive play of their opponents, eventually falling to a 29-7 defeat.
The momentum failed to shift in their second outing against Gorilla Rugby Black. The Bermuda youngsters found themselves starved of possession as the Gorilla pack dominated the breakdowns, leading to a relentless 34-7 scoreline in favor of the clinical American side. By the time the boys took to the field for their third match of the afternoon against USA West Blue, the physical demands of the tournament were clearly visible. While they managed to cross the whitewash for two tries, the USA West Blue squad proved too powerful, securing a 31-10 victory and leaving the Bermuda boys with a total of 94 points conceded across the day’s play.
On the other side of the complex, the U14 girls—competing under the Bermudianas banner—entered the day with high hopes after a promising run in the opening rounds. However, their quest for silverware was halted in a high-stakes Championship semi-final against a disciplined USA West outfit. The Bermudianas fought valiantly to bridge the gap, but the American side's pace on the wings proved decisive in a 24-7 result that sent the islanders into the bronze medal bracket.
The disappointment compounded in the third and fourth place playoff against the Celtic Barbarians of Canada. In a match defined by tactical kicking and fierce rucking, the Canadians managed to shut down the Bermudianas' attacking options. A lone converted try was the only response the island side could muster against a clinical Canadian offense, which pulled away to secure a 27-7 win. While the girls finish their campaign among the top four, both squads will head into the final recovery sessions reflecting on a day where the scoreboard proved a harsh judge of their efforts in the Florida heat.
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Friday, April 03, 2026
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Mixed Fortunes for Bermuda Tropical 7s Teams
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Bermuda’s youth rugby programme faced a stern physical test in Florida as the Under-14 Boys and Girls squads kicked off their campaigns at the prestigious Tropical Rugby Tournament.
On a day of high-intensity sevens action against some of North America’s premier developmental sides, the Bermudian contingent experienced the extreme highs and lows of elite regional competition.
It proved to be a punishing opening day for the Under-14 Boys, who found themselves on the back foot against significantly larger and more clinical opposition. Across three Pool B matches, the young Bermuda team were outscored 90–24, struggling to find a consistent rhythm in the humid Florida conditions.
The day began with a bruising encounter against the USA Rugby South Panther Academy, who cruised to a dominant 34–5 victory. That defensive frailty was further exposed in their second outing, a clinical 34–0 shutout at the hands of the Assassins Academy.
However, there was a glimmer of hope in their final fixture of the afternoon. Facing the Utah Yeti, Bermuda produced their most cohesive attacking display of the day, pushing the Western side to the brink before narrowly falling in a 22–19 thriller.
In contrast, the Under-14 Girls enjoyed a blistering start to their Pool B schedule, recording two impressive victories before the momentum began to shift in the afternoon heat.
The girls opened their account with a comprehensive 27–10 win over Hawkeyes Academy, showcasing impressive pace out wide. They followed that up with arguably the result of the day—a gritty 24–19 win over the highly-rated USA Rugby South Panther Academy.
However, as the grueling schedule took its toll, the tide began to turn. A disciplined Utah Cannibals side inflicted a 24–14 defeat in the third round, before Bermuda’s day ended with a hard-fought 22–14 loss to Atlantis Rugby.
Despite the mixed results, the exposure to the speed and physicality of the U.S. academy system provides a vital developmental benchmark for both squads. With pool play now concluded, the focus shifts to the knockout brackets, where Bermuda will look to refine their defensive structures and rediscover the scoring touch that sparked the girls' early success.
For the boys, the priority remains ball retention and defensive organization after a difficult introduction to the tournament’s pace. For the girls, the challenge will be maintaining the high-octane energy that saw them topple one of the tournament's heavyweights in the opening session.
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Friday, March 20, 2026
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Cross & British Army Suffer Defeat to Dominant Canada
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Bermuda’s Corrie Cross was one of eight players to earn a prestigious cap for the British Army Women’s Rugby team as they faced a formidable challenge against a touring Canada Under-21 side at Aldershot.
The Canadian youngsters arrived in Hampshire in a rich vein of form, having already dismantled Ireland 48–24 in their opening tour match before traveling to London to face the military side. That momentum was immediately evident as the visitors asserted their physical dominance from the opening whistle.
It proved to be an incredibly taxing first half for the Army Women, who struggled to contain the clinical attacking lines of the North American outfit. However, the hosts managed to end the period on a positive note when Luisa Kunadua marked her debut with a hard-earned try, ensuring the Army were on the scoreboard as they headed into the interval trailing 36–5.
The second half saw a spirited response from the Army side, who demonstrated significant character to stem the tide of Canadian scores. Their resilience was rewarded with another debut try, this time courtesy of Jaye Ash, which sparked cheers from the Aldershot crowd. Despite the improved defensive showing and the contributions of new caps like Cross, the gap in elite international experience eventually told as Canada ran out 58–10 winners. For the Army Women, the fixture serves as a vital learning experience as they integrate a new generation of talent into their senior ranks.
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Friday, March 13, 2026
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Bermuda Braced for High-Octane Return of International 7s
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Bermuda is set to reaffirm its status as a premier global rugby destination next week as the Bermuda International 7s celebrates its landmark 10th anniversary at the National Sports Centre.
Running from March 20th–21st, 2026, the tournament has evolved from its 2016 debut into a marquee fixture for elite high school and collegiate programs. This year’s edition promises to be the largest to date, with a surge of entries from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom descending on the island's North Field.
Since its inception, the Bermuda 7s has served as a vital bridge between grassroots rugby and international representation. The 2026 tournament will feature a comprehensive lineup of competition, including:
U23 Collegiate Division: Featuring top-tier university programs looking for early-season momentum.
High School Division: Showcasing the next generation of domestic and international stars.
Open Brackets: Covering Boys, Girls, Men’s, and Women’s categories.
The event's reputation for high-level rugby is matched only by its festival-like atmosphere. With pool matches held under the floodlights on Friday and championship finals on Saturday afternoon, the National Sports Centre is expected to draw a significant crowd of both local fans and visiting supporters.
For the touring teams, the appeal extends beyond the pitch. The tournament remains one of the few global events where high-performance training facilities are within walking distance of elite accommodation.
Visiting athletes will once again be hosted at the historic Warwick Camp, located directly across from the island’s iconic south shore pink sands. This unique setup allows teams to transition from world-class recovery sessions on the beach to high-intensity training in a matter of minutes—a formula that organizers believe is key to the tournament's 10-year longevity.
Beyond the international flair, the tournament continues to provide invaluable exposure for Bermuda’s national sevens program. Local coaches, including the likes of Lucas Nyamoto, view the weekend as a critical scouting ground for the senior national squads as they prepare for regional qualifying cycles.
With the 10th-anniversary celebrations in full swing, the 2026 Bermuda International 7s is poised to be more than just a competition—it is a celebration of a decade of rugby growth in the heart of the Atlantic.
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Wednesday, February 25, 2026
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Rugby Legend Youngs Headlines Beach Education
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The premier gateway to British boarding schools returns to Bermuda this March as Beach Education prepares to host its highly anticipated annual fair. Taking place on the weekend of March 14th and 15th, the event serves as a vital bridge for Bermudian families looking to explore elite academic and athletic pathways in the United Kingdom.
Saturday's proceedings will focus on the traditional Education Fair, running from 2pm until 5pm, where representatives from top-tier institutions will be available to discuss curriculum and campus life. However, it is Sunday’s schedule that is set to capture the attention of the island's sporting community.
The highlight of the weekend features a special appearance by England rugby icon Ben Youngs. The legendary scrum-half will lead an exclusive Q&A session at 2pm on Sunday, offering families a rare opportunity to gain insights from a player who has reached the very pinnacle of the international game. Youngs will share his experiences of high-performance sport and discuss how the British boarding system provides the necessary structure for young athletes to excel.
Following the session with Youngs, the focus shifts to a specialized panel discussion at 2.45pm entitled How Boarding Schools Help Nurture Sporting Talent. This session features contributions from sporting powerhouses such as Millfield School alongside other leading UK institutions. These schools are renowned for their world-class facilities and coaching staff, often serving as a springboard for professional careers in rugby, football, and athletics.
Organizers emphasize that this year's event is not to be missed for any student-athlete aiming to balance rigorous academics with elite sport. By bringing elite coaches and sporting experts directly to Bermuda, Beach Education continues to provide a clear and sustainable pathway for the next generation of Bermudian talent to compete on the global stage.
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