The Barbados Rugby Football Union (BRFU) in collaboration with the Tourism Development Corporation (TDC), the Barbados Tourism Marketing Incorporated (BTMI) and FLOW telecommunications company hosted the Caribbean’s premier Club Rugby-7s tournament on December 10th-11th, 2016, at the Trents and Frederick Smith Secondary School grounds in Trents, St James, just north of historic Holetown.

Dr. Lopez, was in attendance to discuss the tournament’s involvement with the Rugby Research and Injury Prevention Group, Inc., and current injury surveillance and injury prevention work across the Americas, as well as with the Northeast Academy.  The Northeast Academy, with training locations in New York City, Boston and Buffalo, a National Rugby Development Academy sanctioned by USA Rugby as the official designated pathway to the USA Eagles National Team, attended this international event and won the men’s and women’s premier divisions as well as the Christmas caroling competition.  While in attendance at the Rugby Barbados World 7s International Tournament, there was an interview with Director of Medical Services of the Northeast Academy and the Executive Director of the Rugby Research and Injury Prevention Group, Inc., where Dr Victor Lopez Jr, DO, PhD, discussed “Player welfare in a developmental academy and sports injury prevention research in Rugby-7s.”

This event was previously known as the Tobago International Sevens, which was held in Tobago over the past five years. Event owner Brian Stollmeyer of Trinidad decided to change the venue to scale in size. Therefore, approaching the BRFU to seek funding to relocate and host the event in Barbados.  BRFU brought in the Tourism Development Corporation (TDC) and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Incorporated (BTMI) and FLOW Telecommunications to offer both financial and marketing support.  FLOW was formerly a brand of Columbus Communications providing residential and business telephone, internet and television services across the Caribbean.  FLOW is now the consumer-facing brand for Cable & Wireless Communications operations covering the Caribbean area: Barbados, Jamaica, The Cayman Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, Montserrat, Dominica, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Anguilla, Curaçao, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the British Virgin Islands.

The Rugby Barbados World 7s features 40 teams (two from Barbados) in competition in the Open Men’s, Open Women’s, U-20 Men’s and U-20 Women’s divisions, with a first prize of US $8,000.00 for the winners of the Open Women’s division. Over 600 athletes and officials will take part in 5 days of activities which will feature team Christmas Carol singing, Segway Racing, a Tournament After Party, a Monday Beer Brunch and a cool down cruise on the Jolly Roger.  BRFU Vice-President George Nicholson stated “our goal is to not only stage the most successful edition of the tournament, but to also showcase as much of Barbados’ tourism product as possible over the next few months and during the event. We will be involving the Trents and surrounding communities in the event by providing opportunities for vending at the tournament, and working with the visiting teams to conduct community service projects in the area so as to leave a positive impact on the Trents community.”

With the above in mind, the BRFU’s Rugby Barbados Sevens program will be taking part in the UK Summer Sevens Series between May and July during which they will compete in seven events and market the Rugby Barbados World 7s directly to tournament attendees and clubs in the UK. Additional marketing in the UK, US and Canada will be undertaken by the BTMI offices in each jurisdiction, thus ensuring maximum exposure for businesses and companies associated with the event.  For information on how to sign up and be part of this amazing opportunity, please contact George Nicholson at gdougnich@gmail.com or (246) 233-1945.