This year’s edition of the fifth annual Tobago International Rugby Sevens tournament will feature a team from reigning world champions, New Zealand, competing for the first time.
The Arongatahi ladies’ team of Auckland, will vie the women’s title alongside favourites and last year’s winners Star Blues International team.
The New Zealanders are one of several foreign outfits which will make the trek to Tobago. A total of 28 teams (16 male and 12 female) will battle over two days of action at the picturesque Black Rock Recreational Grounds, Courland Estate.
The ladies will compete in two groups of six teams each. The top two teams in each group will contest the semifinals. The winners will take home the Department of Tourism Cup and US $6,000 with the runners up collecting US$3,000 and third place US$1,000.
In the men’s competition, the champions will be awarded the TDC Cup and US $3,000 with the second place team set to take away the bmobile Cup and US $1,500. The third place line-up will collect the Baxters Limited Cup and US $500.
The best male player will be awarded the Grace and Richard Wheeler Cup.
Tournament Director Brian Stollemeyer said the Cup would be awarded in memory of the couple, who were slain earlier this year. “The Wheelers’ were closely associated with the tournament and Richard was a fan of the Rugby in Trinidad as well,” he said.
The annual Tobago Rugby Tournament is hosted by the Tobago Rugby Football Club with the Division of Tourism and Transportation of the Tobago House of Assembly as the main sponsors.
Secretary of the division Tracy Davidson-Celestine is hoping the event will help to develop the sport in the schools on the island.
She said: “One of things I want coming out of this event is to have this tournament be the catalyst for more rugby development on the island. We have to find a way to collaborate with the schools and the community groups so that they can see rugby as a sport which can be played here in Tobago.”
Speaking at media launch of the tournament at Pigeon Point on Friday (Nov 27), the Deputy Chief Secretary also said the hosting of the two-day competition on the island wouldboost sports Tourism for Tobago.
“Sports Tourism is critical to the development of sport on the island. It is critical to the achievement of the objective of bringing more guests and more visitors to Tobago,” Davidson Celestine said.
“It helps a catalyst to develop the infrastructure and the systems that are required to support the development of Sport on the island.”
She boasted that Tobago that Tobago had elements for the visiting players to enjoy their stay.
“We will be the best host we can. We have the best weather, good food, excellent beaches and scenery and most important we have very hospitable people. Those are excellent ingredients to a good Tobago experience.”
The tournament is run by Baxter Limited.
The pre-tournament activities will begin with Christmas carol singing and a welcome party this evening from 8pm, at Store Bay Beach Facility to be followed by goat racing at the Buccoo Integrated Sporting Facility tomorrow from 1.30 pm.
The team managers’ cocktail party is set for Jade Monkey Restaurant, Crown Point also tomorrow at 7 pm. The rugby action kicks off on Saturday from 9.30 am and Sunday 9.30am.
The tournament is sponsored by B Mobile, Blue Waters, Carib Brewery, SportsTT, Caribbean Airlines, Store Bay Beach Facilities, Tobago Goat Owners Association, Johnstons Apartments, Division of Tourism and Tranportation, TDC, Division of Education, Youth Affairs and Sport, Tobago Water, Tobago Rugby Football Club and Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs.
Women
Group A: Apotella Angels, Arongatahi, Nassau Renegades, Northeast Academy, Police, Venezuela B
Group B: Atlantis, Heidi Swifts, Howlers, Scion Sirens, Team Jamaica, Venezuela A
Men
Group A: Atlantis, Defence Force, Esher, Rainbow
Group B: Aesculapians, Police, Curacao Rugby, Tobago
Group C: Northern, Rugby Quebec, Stars, SVG Pirates
Group D: Exiles, Harward, Notheast Academy, UG Wolves
Schedule of events
Thursday Dec 3
6pm-Team Managers, Coaches, Captain, Referees’ Meeting (Crown Point Beach Hotel)
8 pm-Christmas Carol (Store Bay)
9.30pm-Welcome Party (Store Bay)
Friday Dec 4
1.30pm-Goat Racing (Buccoo)
5.30pm-Sunset Cool down (Store Bay)
7pm-Team Managers’ Cocktail Party (Jade Monkey Restaurant, Crown Point)
Saturday Dec 5
9.30am-4.30pm: Day One action (Black Rock Recreational Grounds)
2.30pm-7.30pm-Panyard Party (Katzenjammers’ Panyard, Black Rock)
Sunday Dec 6
8.30am-5.30pm-Day Two action (Black Rock Recreational Grounds)
5.30pm-7:00pm-Steelband Concert (Katzenjammers’ Panyard, Black Rock)
8.30pm-9.30pm-Presentation of Trophies and Prizes (Shade Nightclub, Bon Accord)
Monday Dec 7
11 am-Farewell Beach Party (Store Bay)
