The Barbados men’s rugby team has achieved a significant milestone by qualifying for the 2026 Centro Caribe Games, set to take place from July to August in the Dominican Republic. This accomplishment came after the team secured second place at the Rugby Americas North Sevens Tournament, held at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago. While the men’s team celebrated their success, the women’s team faced a challenging tournament, failing to secure a single victory.
The men’s campaign began on a rocky note with a heavy 0-45 defeat against defending champions Canada in their opening match. Their struggles continued with a 7-19 loss to Mexico. However, the team rallied on Saturday, clinching their first win against Bermuda with a score of 21-7, which propelled them into the quarterfinals. There, they dominated Guyana’s Mean Green with a 36-5 victory. In the semifinals, Barbados triumphed over Bermuda once again, 26-7, securing a spot in the final. Despite a 0-31 loss to Canada in the championship match, their semifinal performance was enough to guarantee their place in the 2026 Centro Caribe Games. They will join Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala-Costa Rica, and hosts Dominican Republic in the multisport event.
In stark contrast, the women’s team endured a difficult tournament, scoring only five tries across six matches. They faced defeats against Bermuda (5-22), Jamaica (0-59), Guyana (5-10), Mexico (10-35), Trinidad and Tobago (0-46), and Guyana again in the fifth-place playoff (7-14). Jamaica and Mexico secured the Centro Caribe berths for the women’s competition.
The men’s team featured three debutants—Joshua Rudling, Justin Hart, and Christopher Blades—alongside returning players Jake Caddy and Grayson Haynes, who rejoined the squad after a four-year hiatus. The team’s preparation included an intensive eight-day training camp in Turks and Caicos.
This dual narrative of triumph and struggle highlights the contrasting fortunes of Barbados’ rugby teams as they look ahead to future challenges.