Canada’s U18 Women’s and Men’s Sevens rosters have been named for the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games, an international multi-sport event organized by the Commonwealth Games Federation that returns for its seventh edition over August 4-11 in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Rugby Sevens competition will feature six women’s and six men’s teams competing at Shaw Park Cultural Complex on Tobago from August 6-8. The finals will take place on August 8 following round robin play.

Canada is one of three countries sending both women’s and men’s teams, the others being Trinidad and Tobago and Fiji. The women’s competition will also include Wales, Kenya and Australia, while the men’s competition will also feature Jamaica, Scotland and South Africa.

“This is a group of eager, rugby-enthused players who are more than excited to be putting on the jersey and representing Canada in Trinidad and Tobago. It will be the first time these players put on a Canada jersey and we hope to make it an incredible experience. There is a legacy of this program doing well at these Games and we are excited to put the work in to keeping that legacy alive.” Darcy Patterson, Head Coach of Canada’s Women’s Commonwealth Youth Games Team

Selection for the women’s team was based on nominations from provincial unions, with trials that took place across Canada for the nominated players in advance of final selection. Canada’s men’s team was selected using the Coast to Coast identification process utilized by Rugby Canada’s U18 men’s 15s program this past year, as well as footage from invitational sevens tournaments.

“We’re excited and fortunate to have assembled this team to represent Canada at the 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games. This tournament has been a stepping stone for many current and former national sevens players, and will be a great experience and development opportunity for the entire squad.” Nigel D’Acre, Head Coach of Canada’s Men’s Commonwealth Youth Games Team

More information about the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games can be found here. Information on how to follow will be available at a later date.