Bermuda Names Teams For Rugby Sevens
Bermuda’s national men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams have been selected to compete from November 21–23 at the 2025 Rugby Americas North Sevens in Trinidad and Tobago.
A spokesperson said, “Bermuda’s national rugby sevens teams have been named for the 2025 Rugby Americas North [RAN] Sevens, with both the men’s and women’s sides preparing to represent the island later this month in Trinidad and Tobago. The tournament, which runs from 21–23 November at Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima, will see 20 teams from 15 nations compete over three days of fast-paced action. For Bermuda, it represents not only a chance to test themselves against the region’s top talent but also a significant marker in the country’s continuing effort to rebuild and grow its sevens programmes.
“For the women’s team, this year’s event marks a triumphant return to the regional stage after a two-year absence. Their comeback has been driven by a renewed sense of purpose and the tireless work of veteran player and BRFU Women’s Representative Gillian Cross, who has been instrumental in rebuilding support for the women’s game from the ground up.
“Her efforts have helped restore the foundation of support, structure, and participation needed to sustain women’s rugby in Bermuda. With her has come a strong back-room team, including head coach Andy Crichton, Anthony Cupidore as defence and tackling specialist, Dr. Spencer Brown overseeing injury prevention, and Bobby Hurdle leading strength and conditioning. They are supported by assistant coaches D’Zuri Gill and Deneka Borden, who bring both recent playing experience and developing coaching talent to the setup.
“Crichton, returning to the helm after previously guiding Bermuda’s women to a podium finish at RAN several years back, said he was delighted to see the team back in international contention.”
“I’m very excited to be again coaching the Bermuda women’s sevens team for RAN 2025 in T&T,” he said. “We’ve selected a squad of really talented athletes who bring a mix of youth and experience, with a significant number playing a high level of rugby overseas. Our preparation has focused on skill set, mindset, and structure, and we’ve worked hard throughout the summer to ensure we peak for the tournament. All cash donations welcome to support the team!”
The spokesperson said, “The women’s side will be captained by Corrie Cross, with Apryl Jackson as vice-captain. Both have been central to rekindling the team’s competitive spirit and providing leadership to a growing pool of players.”
Women’s Captain Cross commented: “We’re really excited for RAN 2025, the team has been working hard over the last few months. We are looking to display our style of rugby and improve from previous standings in the tournament. Amongst our squad are several girls coming from the UK, including Najée Pitt Clarke [Reading University], Sarah Cross [University of Buckingham], Satya Darrell [University of Manchester] and myself at [Cardiff Metropolitan University]. Additionally, one of our veteran players, Kelli Nusum, is currently playing for London Irish Emeralds in the UK, making the variety of experience available to us this year a first in our team’s history.”
The spokesperson said, “The full women’s squad, sponsored by Ark Bermuda, features Camille Chin-Gurret, Corrie Cross, Sarah Cross, Satya Darrell, Samantha Dill, Bella Greene, Heidi Groves, Lysmeiri Santana Suazo, Apryl Jackson, Kelli Nusum, NajéePitt-Clarke, and Marseille Williams, a blend of familiar names and promising new talent.
“For the men, head coach Lucas Nyamoto has selected a balanced and athletic squad combining speed, experience, and youthful energy. His side will be led by co-captains Hadleigh Tucker and Alex Brown, both of whom have become key figures in Bermuda’s sevens setup.
“The full men’s squad list, sponsored by Paradise Mobile, includes Alex Brown, Jamie Baum, Jahniko Francis, Khabir Dill, Alex Doyling, D’Zuri Gill, Jaiden Hill, Aiden Kendall, Brandon Sangster, Ja’kee Simons, Hadleigh Tucker, and Kelin Savanno Williams, a lineup that underscores Bermuda Rugby’s focus on developing depth and continuity within the national programme.”
Nyamoto, reflecting on the team’s progress, shared: “The squad that has been training consistently and with great commitment in the build-up to RAN. Team spirit is high, and our focus remains on taking one game at a time as we work toward our goal of finishing in the top four and earning qualification for the CAC 7s in the Dominican Republic next year.
“We’re also proud to welcome two overseas-based players Aiden Kendall [University of Ontario] and Brandon Sangster [Queens University], both of whom have progressed through our junior national program. Their elevation to the senior squad reflects our commitment to developing young Bermudian talent. Brandon’s versatility at center and fly-half adds valuable depth to our backline, and his call-up is well deserved.
“Another exciting prospect is Khabir Dill, whose power and pace in the forwards will be an asset. Now in his second year, we expect him to make a strong impact. Kelin Savanno Williams, who locally plays for Police Rugby has also shown great promise and consistency in training. Alongside Brandon, he is one of two rookies in this year’s side both bringing fresh energy and enthusiasm to the group.
“Last year Bermuda’s Men won plate, finishing fifth at last year’s RAN Sevens, and our objective this year is to improve on that performance. We’ve worked hard on our conditioning, refined our systems of play, and focused on addressing key areas from last season. While we haven’t yet had the opportunity to test our full structure against a complete opponent, the boys are eager to take the field and compete with intensity.”
The spokesperson said, “This year also marks the second year of RAN’s two-tier men’s competition, an initiative designed to help developing nations like Bermuda gain meaningful, competitive match experience against similarly ranked teams while still maintaining a pathway toward the top division. The format proved a valuable addition in 2024, providing tighter contests and developmental opportunities that have accelerated the progress of emerging programmes across the region.
“Importantly, the 2025 tournament carries added weight as both a Central American and Caribbean Games [CAC] qualifier and a World Rugby HSBC SVNS pathway event for both teams. Winners of the men’s and women’s top divisions will advance toward the HSBC SVNS model, while the top three men’s Tier 1 teams [excluding Canada] and the top two women’s teams will secure qualification for the 2026 CAC Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. For Bermuda, that means not just national pride on the line, but also tangible opportunities to climb the regional and global sevens ladder.”
Co-Captain Hadleigh Tucker, one of Bermuda’s most consistent performers over recent campaigns, said “the squad was eager to test itself against the region’s elite.
“As always, I am looking forward to the RAN tournament. We have set ourselves lofty goals this year, with a CAC games spot up for grabs, a top four finish is in our sights, one better than our last year’s performance.
“However, we are expecting fierce competition from game one and throughout the group stages, so starting hot and then managing our players game load is of the utmost importance.”
BRFU President Gemma Godfrey said “the selection of both squads was a proud moment for Bermuda Rugby and a reflection of the union’s ongoing commitment to continued rebuilding its international presence.
“To see both squads travelling to Trinidad is a testament to the work happening behind the scenes, from our coaches and support staff to the players who’ve committed months of training,” she said. “It’s another step in strengthening Bermuda’s footprint in regional rugby.”
The spokesperson said, “This year’s RAN Sevens carries particular significance as it continues to serve as the region’s primary qualifying event for future international competitions under the World Rugby pathway. For emerging rugby nations like Bermuda, it provides an invaluable platform to gain experience against professional and semi-professional opposition, sharpen skills, and benchmark progress against the broader Americas rugby landscape.
“Beyond the immediate competition, participation in the tournament also signals the return of momentum within Bermuda’s sevens structures. The BRFU’s investment in coaching, youth development, and athlete performance has been designed to create a more sustainable model for national team success. With both senior squads back on the field, the Union hopes to inspire a new generation of players, particularly among young women and girls who now see a clear pathway from local rugby to international representation.
“The RAN Sevens tournament will feature three days of competition at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Arima, with a mix of round-robin and knockout formats. Teams from across North America and the Caribbean will compete, making it one of the largest RAN Sevens events ever staged.
“Donations to assist the teams with travel and preparation costs are welcomed, as Bermuda continues to grow its presence in the international sevens arena.
“All three days of the tournament will be streamed live on RugbyPass TV – the free, official streaming service from World Rugby. Tournament schedule will be announced shortly. Stay tuned for more details through @Bermuda Rugby’s social media channels via LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.”
