Bagwell: Keep rugby iron hot

President of the Barbados Rugby Football Union (BRFU) Donovan Bagwell has called for the momentum of last year’s success to be transformed into long-term development.

Bagwell said this year is about consolidation rather than reinvention. “It’s about building on what we’ve already put in place, not starting again. We want clear training schedules and preparation opportunities that add value.”

He warned that resources will determine how far the programme can push on. “Funding and logistics are always the biggest challenges. Travel, preparation, and medical support are expensive, and expectations naturally rise after success. Sponsorship will be key,” he said.

Turning momentum into growth, he said, means widening participation and strengthening the rugby workforce. “It means growing participation and developing the coaches, administrators, and officials of the future, so the game is properly supported at every level.

“If we continue to get the structures and standards right, performance and growth will follow,” Bagwell said.

Barbados rugby’s breakthrough year in 2025 marked a turning point for the national programme, with the highlight being the silver medal won in the men’s Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens tournament held in Trinidad and Tobago. That medal ensured Barbados claimed the number one qualifying spot for the region in the upcoming Central American Games, which will be held in the Dominican Republic.

Bagwell hailed the preparation behind the campaign, saying: “A lot of hard work and training by the players, first and foremost, made the breakthrough possible. They put the time in and took responsibility for their preparation.”

He praised the influence of head coach Joe Whipple, adding: “Alongside that was meticulous planning and preparation by coach Joe Whipple, which gave the programme real structure and clarity going into the tournament.”

The men’s squad also benefitted from a preparation week in Turks and Caicos, supported by the Barbados Olympic Association. 

“That gave the group uninterrupted time together, good training conditions, and the chance to really lock in standards and cohesion away from normal distractions,” he said.

Bagwell spoke of the unity across the national setup, noting: “There was strong cohesion between the men’s and women’s teams. They supported each other in the lead-up and throughout the RAN Sevens tournament, and that sense of togetherness helped create the right environment for performance when it mattered.”

The women’s side finished sixth in their competition after they lost 14-7 to Guyana in the fifth vs sixth play-off on the last day. 

Bagwell said the team’s success reshaped expectations inside the camp. 

“It changed belief within the camp. Players now know we can compete at the top end of the region. That’s a big shift. We’re no longer talking about ‘doing well’, we’re talking about standards and expectations.”

He said the campaign also reinforced the importance of organisation behind the scenes. “It reinforced that planning and structure matter. Success on the field comes from work off the field,” he said, adding that the season “raised the profile of the game locally” and strengthened Barbados’ reputation internationally.

Youth development was another major highlight of 2025, particularly through the launch of the Pelican Academy. 

“The Academy is focused on youth player development and identifying the next generation of national players, that work is central to securing the future of the game in Barbados.”

He said the pathway is about supporting young people as much as developing athletes. “We are focused on providing better, safer, and more inclusive environments for young people. These pathways are designed to instil strong values, create a sense of belonging, and provide positive structure,” he said

At the senior level, Bagwell pointed to the men’s National XVs team’s one-point loss to Trinidad and Tobago. “Had that result gone the other way, Barbados would have been crowned regional champions in both the Sevens and XVs formats,” he said. “That speaks to the progress being made.”

The women’s Sevens team, he said, remains “on a path of discovery and experience,” with the long-term objective of competing in Rugby Americas North XVs Tests from 2027. 

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