Rugby: Bermuda U19s To Compete In Mexico
Bermuda’s Men’s Under-19 national team will travel to Querétaro, Mexico, this week to compete in the 2026 Rugby Americas North Men’s Under-19 XVs Championship, being held at FC Total from August 5 to 8.
A spokesperson said, “This will be Bermuda’s third consecutive appearance in Querétaro. The island finished runner-up to USA South in 2024, but significant turnover since then means a new generation of players will have the opportunity to represent Bermuda on the regional stage.
“The 19-player squad will be captained by Dylan Sangster, with Nyindae Smith and Dante Noel-Simmons serving as vice-captains.
“Bermuda will face a demanding opening day on Wednesday, August 5, beginning against the United States at 9:00 a.m. before taking on host nation Mexico at noon. The team returns to action on Thursday, August 6, against Jamaica at noon and the Cayman Islands at 4:00 p.m. Finals Day will take place on Saturday, August 8.”
Dylan Sangster, Bermuda U19 Captain, commented on the upcoming competition: “I’m very excited to return to Mexico for this year’s tournament. The squad looks different, as it does every year, but the boys have built strong confidence and chemistry throughout our preparations. We know the USA will provide a very tough test in our opening match, but I have every confidence in this group. I back the boys, and we’re ready to represent Bermuda with pride.”
Co-Head Coach Chris Naylor said the young squad is excited about the challenge ahead. “We are really looking forward to the tournament. This is a young group, with nine players making their debut at this level, although a couple of those newcomers are already 19. We are excited to see the new talent coming into the squad and the impact they can make.
“We have an extremely tough start. Based on last year’s ranking, we open against the USA, which will be a major challenge, and it does not get any easier with host nation Mexico immediately afterwards.
“Our senior players, particularly captain Dylan Sangster and vice-captains Nyindae Smith and Dante Noel-Simmons, will need to step up, lead from the front and help guide the younger members of the squad. The boys have trained well, and I am confident that we can go to Mexico, express ourselves and play some good rugby.”
Naylor is joined by Anthony Cupidore as Co-Head Coach, while Jeff Sangster will serve as Team Manager.
Bermuda Rugby President, Gemma Godfrey, said the annual championship remains a vital part of the national player-development pathway.
“This competition is one of the highlights of our calendar each year and an important part of the pathway for our developing players. It gives young men progressing through the upper end of Broncos Rugby, schools’ rugby and the Beyond Rugby programme the opportunity to come together as one Bermuda team and test themselves against high-quality opposition from across the region,” she said.
“We have a great deal of young talent coming through. Given the size of our island, the fact that Bermuda can enter a team in this competition and compete against much larger countries, many of which have significantly broader youth pathways and greater exposure to the game, says a tremendous amount about our rugby community.
“It reflects the commitment of our volunteer coaches, many of whom are parents giving up their evenings and weekends, as well as all those who continue to give so much of themselves to support the game.
“Anthony Cupidore has been a driving force behind several of our youth programmes, including Broncos Rugby, while Chris Naylor has made an enormous contribution at primary-school and club level and throughout our national-team programmes. Jeff Sangster has also been instrumental assisting with fundraising, as well administratively supporting both the Broncos Rugby programme, as well as managing logistics for many of Bermuda Rugby’s international campaigns and youth tours.
“These individuals have been quiet, steady pillars of youth rugby in Bermuda for more than 15 years. Our continued participation in tournaments such as this would not be possible without people like Anthony, Chris and the many other volunteers across our community.”
The spokesperson said, “The tournament will also mark the first use at this competition of Rugby Americas North’s 2026 Tackle Height Law Variation. In open-field play, tacklers must make contact below the base of the ball-carrier’s sternum, an initiative intended to reduce the risk of head-to-head and shoulder-to-head contact.
“Bermuda will join the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Mexico and the United States in this year’s competition. Matches will be streamed worldwide on RugbyPass TV.
Bermuda Schedule
“All times are local to Bermuda [ADT]
Wednesday, August 5
- 12:00 PM – Bermuda v United States
- 3:00 PM – Bermuda v Mexico
Thursday, August 6
- 3:00 PM – Bermuda v Jamaica
- 7:00 PM – Bermuda v Cayman Islands
Saturday, August 8
- Finals Day – Match and time determined by pool standings
Bermuda Men’s Under-19 Squad
- Asher Wheddon
- Benjamin Wells
- Matthews Pagan
- Thomas Wells
- Jahir Smith Mora
- Michael Barclay
- Nyindae Smith [Vice-Captain]
- Dante Noel-Simmons [Vice-Captain]
- Henry Kerr
- Dylan Sangster [Captain]
- Jahkeel Smith
- Marc Piney
- Rowan Stewart
- Teddy Manders
- Michael Tadman
- Mathias Gerber
- Edward Tadman
- Jaden Obas-Simons
- Genesis Payne
Team Management
- Co-Head Coaches: Chris Naylor and Anthony Cupidore
- Team Manager: Jeff Sangster
