The TT Rugby Union (TTRU) is set for a bumper 2024, after covid19 robbed the sport of any action from 2020-2022.
After the three-year absence, rugby rebounded in 2023 and continues to develop both on and off the field.
TTRU president Maria Thomas expressed pleasure with the sport’s progress so far, and is intent on meeting and surpassing their outlined objectives.
Looking back at the past 18 months, Thomas said that 2022 was the re-emergence year for the TTRU.
She said the union was determined to maintain and build its local and international reputation. They focused mainly on what could be achieved on the pitch considering welfare constraints, and ensuring a platform was laid to hit the ground running once covid19 restrictions were lifted.
“We applied our assessments from 2022 to our offerings for 2023, which has been a vibrant year thanks to the dedicated commitments of our membership,” Thomas said.
“The athletes set the tone early giving us a surge of energy with their strong desire to come back out and compete. Our membership has increased, with four new clubs becoming full members since 2021, and a revitalisation of committee and management structures continues across the union.”
These developments set a good foundation for 2023 as the TTRU sought to host a number of tournaments, heavily invest in assuring continuity in its schools’ programme and increase its public reach.
This year, TT hosted Canada’s Trinity College, Barbados’ men 15s and women’s sevens teams, USA South Panthers men senior and U23 15s teams and Texas Rattlesnakes men's U23 15s.
Additionally, TT hosted the Commonwealth Youth Games and welcomed Australia, Canada, Fiji, Jamaica, Kenya, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales in men and women's U18 rugby sevens.
TT teams also travelled for the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s Tournament in Jamaica where the U19 men secured the plate and the women earned silver in the region's return to the 15s format.
The senior women’s sevens team also competed at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games.
TT also competed in the Grenada World 7s, which concluded on Saturday.
Thomas said local clubs benefited tremendously from the number of activities held here.
[caption id="attachment_1048336" align="alignnone" width="1024"] TT Rugby Union president Maria Thomas -[/caption]
She said, "The ability to host (tournaments) increases our clubs access to dynamic competition, raises our profile, and is an opportunity for us to share our great country with sure to be lifelong rugby friends.
“In local competition we returned to a full 15s programme with a robust men's competition, women's 15s and men's age-grade 15s. Our sevens series featured men and women in both senior and age-grade divisions; U16s were introduced to contact; and we've continued to build our grassroots base with Tag X (non-contact rugby) International.”
The TTRU’s Schools' Rugby Union maintained a strong presence all year. They kicked things off launching their league in January. This played a major role in boosting t
