The Saint Lucia Rugby Football Union has deployed its national programme to the neighbouring territories of Martinique and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines this weekend, with four teams entered in two regional competitions.
The SLRFU is contesting the MADA Sevens in the French overseas department of Martinique, entering squads in the men’s, women’s, and academy divisions against opposition from the host territory, Guadeloupe, France, and Canada. Simultaneously, the Saint Lucia Select men’s team, the Rogues, has travelled to Kingstown to compete in the Saint Vincent & the Grenadines Independence Sevens against regional sides.
The touring rosters combine senior players, academy members, crossover athletes, and overseas players. According to the SLRFU, the twin assignments form part of the selection process for the national squads preparing for next month’s Rugby Americas North Regional Qualifiers in Trinidad & Tobago, which lead to the 2027 Regional Olympic Qualifiers scheduled for net June.
SLRFU technical director Wayne Pantor stated that the tours serve as a key part of the selection and development pathway. Pantor noted that the fixtures allow emerging and senior athletes to gain international match exposure while giving the technical staff an opportunity to assess players in a competitive environment, with the aim of building depth and establishing regional links.
In Martinique, the women’s team features Mary Roberts, Mylene Grunburg, Sennetta Viger, and Renetta Reynolds from Whiptails, Marline Cherry and Kera Dornelly from Rogues, Electra Marcelle, Shammah Philgence, Allana Paul, and Makeba Alcide from Renegades. Valencia Matthews from the northern academy and Ramani Lewis Emmanuel from the southern academy complete the playing squad. Pantor serves as interim coach alongside team manager Janelle Cools.
The men’s squad for the MADA Sevens includes academy players Muhammad McLorrain, Clivan Clifford, Malyle Chery, Le Mani Lewis, Jasha Louis, and Dante Asson, with Leslie Frank and Yantez Jn Baptiste selected from the southern academy. Dwayne Nathaniel of Whiptails joins Jesey Francios, Flavien Gabriel, and Latin Nicholson of Renegades to complete the group. Chantel John is the coach, with Meraius James serving as manager.
Saint Lucia has also fielded a male academy squad in Martinique. The side includes Stephen St Rose, Khiege Henery, Shekim Mc Rea, Christian Arthurton, Shadrach Justin, Nathan Emmanuel, Verone Auguste, Merkell Bernard, and Ervin Avril, together with southern academy players Calvin Edgar and Junior Deterville. Electra Marcelle serves as coach, with Shammah Philgence as manager.
Medical and administrative coverage in Martinique is provided by World Rugby-certified doctor Dr Jamaal Springer, physiotherapist Zhenya Allain, executive representative Gemma Alfred, and Pantor.
In SVG, the Rogues roster consists of Neighman Lascaris, Ethan Phillips, Kevin Joseph, Ernie Joseph, Nico Joseph, Guillem Busquets, Peterson Innocent, Alex Brown, and player-coach Jerry Charles. Guyanese players Adrian Hall, Osbert Robertson, and Ronaldo Griffith complete the selection. Sixtus Pamphile is the team manager, with Anne-Marie Mathurin serving as physiotherapist.
Both tournaments serve as an early benchmark of player readiness as the SLRFU continues its effort to transition players from academy levels into senior international rugby.
