USVI Rugby Football Union To Host ‘Rugby Smash’ Tournament This Month

ST. THOMAS — The U.S. Virgin Islands Rugby Football Union announced Saturday its Collegiate Seven’s Rugby Tournament, called “Rugby Paradise Smash,” which will take place on March 25 at the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas Campus.

The tournament will include 5 college and U-23 teams from the U.S. and the British Virgin Islands for a full day of competition (10:00 am – 4:00 p.m.), according to the release.

“We invite the public to this exciting event and to visit the tournament’s website for further updates at www.rugbyparadisesmash.com, as well as our event on Facebook,” said the union.

The union expects the tournament to bring 60 competitors to St. Thomas for the week of rugby events, which will include beach rugby, a youth clinic, as well as the union’s main event: Rugby Paradise Smash!

The events will support the mission of the rugby union, including the promotion of the sport in the territory, according to the release. Not only will teams compete in rugby events, they will also participate in community service projects during their time in the territory, partnering with My Brother’s Workshop, the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service, and the Humane Society.

The tournament will be the first of its kind for the union and the territory, according to the release. Teams being hosted include Babson College Rugby, Bowdoin College Rugby, USA Star’s Sevens (two teams), and the British Virgin Islands U-23 Men’s.

The union thanked organizations that sponsored the tournament, including Black Diamond Capital Management, Pirates’ Treasure Shipwreck Museum St. Thomas, Dollar and Thrifty Car Rental, Thrive Chiropractic, and The Tap and Still (who will host teams on the evening of March 25 for a social and awards ceremony).

The Virgin Islands Rugby Football Union was founded in 2012 and competes perennially with BVI Clubs, the San Juan Men’s Club, and hosts stateside teams in the territory. The club is active on all three islands and competes in 7’s and 15’s rugby. The club also hosts contact and non-contact rugby games for all, as well as monthly social events including beach rugby and “Frenchtown Fives”.

All Virgin Islanders, men and women of all ages, are welcome to be a part of the union, according to the release.

The union’s primary mission, according to the release, is to promote the sport of rugby in the USVI, and to support and develop athletes for competition at local, regional, national and international levels. While rugby remains its main focus, the union’s vision is to provide a variety of programs that serve the community.

“Through goal setting, teamwork, hard work, and discipline, our programs will catalyze and create new opportunities and success for our participants both on and off the field,” reads the release.