Big stakes at play as GRFU unveils squads for all-important RAN Sevens

The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) has announced its men’s and women’s squads for the upcoming Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens Championships, where qualification for major international events is on the line.

The tournament, taking place from November 21 to 23 at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima, Trinidad, holds significant competitive value.

Winners of both the Men’s Tier 1 (MT1) and Women’s brackets will secure spots on the coveted World Rugby SVNS pathway.

Furthermore, the competition serves as a direct qualifier for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, with the top three MT1 teams (excluding Canada) and the top two Women’s teams advancing.

The tournament has been expanded to three days this year, reflecting an increase in regional participation across the three divisions: Men’s Tier 1, Women’s, and Men’s Tier 2 (which offers promotion opportunities).

Guyana’s men have historically been a regional powerhouse, winning the RAN championship a total of seven times, most recently in 2016. However, the team, which finished seventh in Tier 1 last year, is currently undergoing a transitional phase.

This year marks a welcome return for the women’s team to the tournament, competing against five other nations, including Bermuda, Jamaica, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados.

In a boost to their preparation, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has secured free access to the high-level strength and conditioning facilities at Fitness 53, owned by former West Indies cricket captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, for the national players.

The Men’s Tier 1 will feature Guyana competing in a pool format against regional heavyweights, including the defending champion Canada, Mexico, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Lionel Holder will captain the Men’s team, while Sabola Gray will lead the women’s team.

Women’s Team: Nicole Nero, Tiffany Pilgrim, Nikita Andrews, Mandy Browne, Sabola Gray (captain), Jalena Shepherd

Aniqah Powley, Tonya Smith, Carrey Carter, Serra Persaud, Alison Smiley, Sasha Greaves

Management: Laurie Adonis (Head Coach), Tricia Monroe (Assistant Coach) and Ryan Gonsalves (Manager)

Men’s Team: Renaldo Niles, Shawn David, Jamal Angus (vice-captain), Mathew Talbot, Micheal Barrow, Jonathan Garnette, Lionel Holder (captain), Rahsaan Dathorn-Howell, Gavin McPherson, Tyresse Prescod, Godfrey Polleydore
Yannic Williams, Elisha Crawford

Management: Stephen Lewis (Head Coach), Claudius Butts (Assistant Coach) and Ryan Gonsalves (Manager)