Congratulations to our Dragons RFC trio of Katie Bevans, Katie Johnson and Tia Jones who have all been selected by Team Wales for the Women’s Rugby Sevens at Commonwealth Youth Games.
A total of 13 players have been selected for the event which takes place in the twin island nation of Trinidad and Tobago from August 4 to 11 this summer.
Rugby will have a squad of 13 amongst the team of 38 athletes and 20 support staff who will compete across four sports; Athletics, Swimming, Women Rugby 7s and Cycling.
Trinbago Women’s Rugby Sevens Team Leader Jonathan Hooper said: “This group of players have an amazing opportunity ahead of them. Competing against some of the best Rugby 7s nations in the world at a multi-sport event will be a very special experience.
“Preparations have gone well over the past few weeks, the level of competition for places within the training squad has been extremely high. The players are really excited for the tournament in Tobago.”
The Games will see more than 1,000 athletes and para-athletes between the ages of 14-18 across the 72 nations and territories around the Commonwealth compete across seven sports this summer; 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.
Since its launch in 2000, the Youth Games has continued to grow to provide a unique opportunity to experience elite sport on the international stage, promote cultural understanding and create lifelong friendships across the Commonwealth.
At the last Youth Games in Bahamas 2017, Team Wales brought home 13 medals across six sports, with the Women’s Rugby Sevens winning a bronze medal, and creating Welsh history by winning Wales’ first ever team medal at a Commonwealth Games or Commonwealth Youth Games.
They lost their first game against Canada but went on to secure an impressive 58-0 win against Bermuda and 53-0 against Trinidad and Tobago. They lost to Australia 0-26 in their fourth match, followed by a 26-7 win against Fiji in their final group game, and then cemented their place on the podium with a 19-14 victory against Fiji in the Bronze Medal match.
Team Wales Women’s Rugby Sevens:
Catrin Stewart, Poppy Ellis, Branwen Metcalfe, Lola Bogerd-Mitchell, Tia Jones, Nia Fajeyisan, Katie Bevans, Seren Lockwood, Hanna Marshall, Rhiannon Griffin, Ffion Davies, Hannah Lane, Katie Johnson
