Women’s Rugby Sevens selected for the Commonwealth Youth Games
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has announced the nations selected for the team sports events at the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games.
The Games, which takes place in the twin island nation of Trinidad and Tobago from 4-11 August will see 44 international teams, representing 23 nations around the Commonwealth compete across Beach Volleyball, FAST5 Netball and Rugby Sevens, with all three being hosted on the Tobago Island.
Wales Women’s Rugby Sevens team made history at the last Youth Games in Bahamas 2017, winning Wales’ first ever team sport medal (Bronze) at a Commonwealth Games.
Richie Pugh, WRU Sevens Head Coach said ‘’To be part of a Youth Commonwealth Games and Represent Team Wales is such an exciting opportunity for our young female athletes. To experience a multisport event and go up against some of the best u18 rugby players in the world is such a huge honour and challenge. It has proved in the past to be a great development opportunity with the likes of Gwen Crabb, Lleucu George, Bethan Lewis (currently in the Womens 6 Nations Squad) and Kayleigh Powell (current Team GB 7s player) all winning Bronze in the 2017 Bahamas YCWG.’’
Wales, alongside Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, Fiji and Kenya will take on defending champions Australia in the women’s competition. All games will take place at the Shaw Park Cultural recreational field on 6-8 August.
Matt Cosgrove, Chef de Mission for Team Wales in Trinbago added ‘’ ‘It’s great to have the Women’s sevens team in the Youth Games once again. It will be a tough competition with only 6 teams selected to take part but their impressive result in 2017 clearly demonstrates that they can be competitive at this level. I look forward to seeing them compete in Trinbago 2023 this summer.’
CGF President, Dame Louise Martin, commented: “We are thrilled to unveil the nations competing in the team sports at Trinbago 2023. The Beach Volleyball, FAST5 Netball and Rugby Sevens competitions are set to be highly competitive, with nations from across the Commonwealth vying for gold. It will be an unforgettable, inspiring experience for the young athletes involved and an opportunity for fans to see the stars of the future.
“We are particularly excited to announce the teams playing in the first ever FAST5 Netball competition. The dynamic and innovative format promises to be one of the highlights of the Games.”
Entry for team sports was by invitation and the demand for places was once again high. Following applications by Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs), the CGF, in full consultation with the respective International Federations, made the final selection based on criteria including host nation representation, past results, depth of field and strength of competition, and regional representation. The Commonwealth Youth Games is an invaluable springboard for the stars and leaders of tomorrow, contributing to the further development of youth sport throughout the Commonwealth. Trinbago 2023 will see more than 1,000 athletes and para athletes, between the ages of 14-18, from the 72 nations and territories, participate in a total of seven sports:
Aquatics (Swimming), Athletics and Para Athletics, Cycling (Road Race, Time Trial and Track) and Triathlon, as well as FAST5 Netball, Rugby Sevens and Beach Volleyball.
Final selection: Women’s Rugby Sevens
1 Trinidad & Tobago
2 Canada
3 Wales
4 Australia
5 Fiji
6 Kenya