INAUGURAL CARICOAST YOUTH 7s TO LAUNCH TTRU RUGBY 7s SEASON

The CariCoast Youth 7s will be the first step in that journey, bringing together the next generation of rugby players while helping to build the wider support structure required for the sport to thrive.

The Trinidad & Tobago Rugby Union (TTRU) will officially launch its 2026 Rugby 7s Season with the inaugural CariCoast Youth 7s Tournament which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The CariCoast Youth 7s Tournament is a significant addition to the domestic Rugby Calendar, providing a dedicated platform for youth players to compete in the Rugby 7s format of the game, while supporting the development of Players, Coaches, Match Officials and Administrators.

TTRU Development Committee Chair, Schezelle Fleming, said the tournament is intended to create meaningful pathways for young people entering the sport. “The goal is to create pathways for young people when they get into sports like rugby, for them to know that there are opportunities like the CariCoast Youth 7s they can look forward to.”

The introduction of this Youth Tournament also addresses a notable gap in the Regional Rugby landscape. While Youth Rugby Programmes exist throughout the Caribbean, dedicated Youth Rugby 7s Competitions remain limited. In Trinidad and Tobago, the Men’s Under 19 15s Competition is currently the principal dedicated youth competition within the 15-A-Side format of the game.

The CariCoast Youth 7s seeks to expand those opportunities by establishing a structured Youth 7s Competition and creating an environment in which players can gain valuable competitive experience as they progress through the sport. The inaugural event will feature Under 14 Touch Rugby, Under 16, Under 18 and Under 21 Contact Rugby, with boys and girls from 12 Club Teams expected to participate.

Importantly, the Tournament’s Development focus extends beyond the playing field. Newly qualified Match Officials, Technical Personnel and Administrators, many of whom have completed TTRU Development Courses, will be involved in the delivery of the event. This provides an opportunity for emerging rugby personnel to gain practical experience while contributing to the continued growth and professionalism of the sport.

The CariCoast Youth 7s will also set the stage for a busy domestic Rugby 7s Season, with 7 Tournaments scheduled to take place between October and December 2026, including the region’s biggest event, the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 7s Tournament on November 28 & 29, 2026 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

With a combination of youth development, competitive opportunities and personnel development, the 2026 Rugby 7s Calendar is expected to provide a strong platform for the continued growth of the Rugby 7s format in Trinidad and Tobago.

See below the TTRU’s 2026 Rugby 7s Calendar for reference: