The national men and women’s rugby squads for the NAWIRA (North American, West Indies Rugby Association) Sevens championships billed for this weekend in the Bahamas have been named.

Guyana are the defending men’s champions and the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) has named a strong 11-man squad with two standbys for the 12-nation tournament set for Saturday and Sunday.

The team will be captained by Elwin Chase with Theodore Henry as the vice-captain.

The other members are Claudius Buttts, Troy Arjoon, Ryan George, Richard Staglon, Ronald Mayers, Albert LaRose, Troy Bascom, Dane Parks and Peabo Hamilton.

The standbys are Delroy Gordon and Cordwell Reynolds.

Guyana will open the defence of the title they won last year against Turk and Caicos Islands in the Pool `A’ group which also includes Mexico and Barbados. Pool “B” will comprise Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, hosts Bahamas and Cayman Islands, while Pool “C” will feature Bermuda, USA, Martinique and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Guyana female side will be captained by Carrin Carter with Sabola Gray as the vice-captain.

The other players on the 10-member team are Desaun Josiah, Fiona Atherley-Ward, Andrea Lashley, Latoya Hamilton, Abigail Tinnis, Laurel Anderson, Tricia Munroe and Carren Skeete. The standbys are Nichole Nero and Alicia Jahlu.

Guyana’s women side will compete against USA, Canada, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

Sherlock Solomon and Alton Agard are in charge of the men’s squad, while Laurie Adonis is the coach of the female side. The team manager is Everson Jacobs.

The Guyana contingent is expected to depart here on Thursday, while local referee Conrad Arjoon who will officiate in the tournament will depart tomorrow.