Over 30 rugby players and staff will depart for Nevada, USA, today to challenge the men and women's segments of the Las Vegas International Sevens rugby tournament, which will run from tomorrow until Saturday.Head coach Larry Mendez, will challenge the Invitational men's division in preparation for the upcoming Hong Kong Sevens World Sevens qualifier and the Commonwealth Games, while the women, coached by Simone Andrews-Nero will challenge the Elite Sevens division in preparation for other sevens competitions including the Casco Games.
The invitational segment is for teams not in the IRB HSBC World Sevens Series tournament.T&T's men will face challenges in national teams from Chile, Peru, Mexico, Cayman Islands and Belgium, as well as select teams from the USA and Canada. Mark Roberts of Royalians and Harvard's Aasan Lewis are expected to make their debut at the tournament.The women, meanwhile, will meet Canada, Japan, France and the USA. Kerchelle Hinkson will also make her debut.
Squads
Men
Kurt Quashie, Anthony Lopez, Jonathan O'Connor, Aasan Lewis, Kelson Figaro, James Phillip, Jessie Richards, Rowell Gordon, Wayne Kelly, Joseph Quashie, Agboola Silverthorn, Mark Roberts.
Staff: Larry Mendez (coach), Dale Trotman (assistant coach), Curtis Nero (manager), Kimba London (physiotherapist), Derek Ashby-Williams (massage therapist).
Women
Ayana Skeete, Kanisha Vincent, Taliah Wilson, Nicolette Pantor, Kathleen Stephen, La Shaun Sandy, Marika Mendez, Kerchelle Hinkson, Dalia Jordan Brown, Tenisha Samuel Duke, Coleen Walcott, Fayola Jack.
Staff: Simone Andrews-Nero (coach), Ebony Young (manager), Joy Rodney-Wilkes (physiotherapist).