Tobago will play host to the first Tag X Rugby Tournament in Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday, April 2, 2022. The tournament will take place at the Canaan Bon-Accord Recreation Ground, Centre Street, Bon Accord, Tobago, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will feature a number of local Under 19 Teams.
It will be the first rugby tournament this year following the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and the Trinidad & Tobago Rugby Union (TTRU) intends on hosting more events in the exciting new format. Tag X is a non contact form of rugby that is ideal for facilitating a safe return to play, recruiting new players and retaining veteran players. It also allows for the strategic development of elite athletes. Tag X provides the opportunity for teams to play locally and compete globally as this format includes an international ranking system which is set to be officially launched in 2023, and the TTRU is participating in pilot tournaments along with Australia, Canada, India, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico and the USA.
The Tobago Rugby Football Club (TRFC), led by Mr. Nikita Burnett stepped up to host the TTRU’s first tour following the lifting of restrictions. Recognising the impact that postponed and cancelled international fixtures has had on teams, Tag X Tobago has focused on competition experience for the Junior Men’s and Women’s National Teams, who were scheduled to participate in the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Super Sevens in February 2022. That tournament is now scheduled for November 2022.
“While we intend to host open Tag X events in the future, we wanted to kick off the season with an Under 19 Tournament in order to support the National Under 19 Players who would have been preparing for the RAN Age-Grade Sevens in February but will now have to wait until November,” said Burnett. “Tag X is an exciting new format that is fast paced, involves no contact and will no doubt attract new players to the sport of rugby while retaining seasoned ones.
In addition to the organisational support from the TRFC, the tournament is being sponsored by Sprayway Pest Control, Rugvelopment, and Zarmina Nekzai Walking Journey – who provided funds to the Women’s Under 18 Team.
