Trinidad & Tobago Senior Men’s National Rugby 7s Team come together.
#OneTeamOneDream
The Trinidad & Tobago Senior Men’s National Rugby 7s Team have begun preparation for international competition. As regions become vaccinated, more fixtures and opportunities to compete are presenting themselves and it is the aim of the Trinidad & Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) to have its National Athletes in a state of readiness to be able to make the most of regional fixtures.
As part of the Player Welfare and COVID-19 Protocols, players were identified based on their immediate past National Team experience and expected level of fitness ahead of the 2021 Rugby Americas North (RAN) Senior Men’s 7s Tournament which is scheduled to take place later this year. Following a series of assessments to determine the team’s physical and travel readiness, a decision will be made on the time frame required for the team to participate in competition.
The TTRFU is engaging the services of The Sport Company of Trinidad & Tobago (SporTT) Elite Development & Performance Unit (EDPU) to support the appointed Technical Committees for all National Teams in meeting athletes’ specific requirements to achieve the best team performance.
The Senior Women’s National 15s Team has initiated a virtual process of reidentifying the National Player Pool, assessing fitness, experience and readiness for travel. By using a blend of virtual and physical strategies, all National Teams are prioritising safety to ensure an effective and sustainable return to play.
In addition to the COVID-19 Protocols, in 2018 World Rugby implemented a load passport initiative which is incorporated in our Return to Play Protocols. These guidelines are a key injury prevention strategy used throughout training, and a safeguard ahead of competition.
Rugby Media Officers have been appointed to increase the visibility of their respective Club/Affiliate Body on the TTRFU’s website. Trinidad and Tobago have a uniquely diverse rugby community and while COVID-19 has halted Club sport, the camaraderie and culture of members has kept us connected, inspiring us to use the time to reflect on past achievements and future goals. The Memory of the Day Social Media Campaign can now be viewed on our website (www.ttrfu.com), along with the Unstoppables Campaign. We wish to remind persons to follow the TTRFU on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ttrfu_868) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/ttrfu_868).
TTRFU’s Vice President, Don Sucre with a group of Youth Rugby Players
at the NAPA Mass Vaccination Site
Rugby Athletes and Administrators have also dedicated time during the past three weekends to volunteer at mass vaccination sites in Chaguanas and Port-of-Spain. The ongoing drive is an opportunity for athletes to support the community and learn about the process. The experience was mutually beneficial as one athlete revealed, “It helps to see that a lot of people are deciding to protect themselves and the community. It’s easy to get, plus I want to travel, and I know getting vaccinated will help.”. The availability of vaccines helps to remove obstacles facing the TTRFU in terms of travel for teams and hosting events when it is deemed safe to do so.
