Rugby under-16 and under-12 tour teams chosen

The under-16s leave on April 14, while the under-12s jet off on April 29.

The latter’s schedule includes two select matches against Willow Park — one of the most competitive schools in Dublin at this age group — and an inter-school tourament.

Successful

The under-16 tour comes at the end of a second successful season of rugby for this age group, launched to plug the gap from under-14s to under-19s.

The standard of play at youth level on the island has increased continually over the past few years and our teams have proven themselves in international competition.

The under-12s took part in mini rugby festivals in the U.K. in 2007 and 2009 and in the Cayman Islands in 2008 and 2010. Selection for the representative teams for both age groups was highly competitive but the Bermuda Rugby Football Union (BRFU) is “delighted” to be taking 30 under-16s to Canada and 24 under-12s to Dublin.

The 30 under-16s represent seven of the island’s schools, with four from Berkeley Institute, four from CedarBridge, five from Warwick Academy, five from Somersfield Academy, six from Saltus, two from BHS and one from Mount Saint Agnes Academy, plus two educated in the U.K. and one who is home-schooled.

The under-16s will be training three days per week leading up to the tour — they need to play at the highest level to compete against the well-drilled Ontario school teams. The younger squad will take part in twice-weekly training in order to prepare for their matches against the talented Irish teams.

The youth tours and local training programmes aims to promote more than winning a rugby match — the focus is on bringing youngsters from different backgrounds, schools and areas together.

Trolley

Friendships made through team sports such as rugby are long-lasting and begin from an early age. Rugby is renowned as a very inclusive team sport and the BRFU has made it a priority not to leave anyone behind for financial reasons. 

Fundraisers have been organized to help everyone selected attend the trips.

These include a Keep Bermuda Beautiful clean-up by the under-16s at Rocky Hill Park, St. George’s on March 19, when the boys collected more than 65 bags of rubbish and numerous bulky items, including a boat. The under-12s took part in a KBB clean-up at Bernard Park on 13 March, collecting about 50 bags of rubbish and bulky items including a motorbike, three bicycles, a supermarket trolley and even an old water heater tank.

The BRFU has also organized a car wash and bake sale to raise funds for the squads.

It will be held at Warwick Academy on Saturday, April 23 from 9am.