As we have drawn to the end of the 2005/2006 rugby season we can reflect on what has been a very successful year for Barbados, with the crowning of the National XV as Caribbean Champions, an honour never before achieved by Barbados, leading to RWCQ games against both the USA and Canada. We would like to thank Joe Whipple for all of his hardwork in aiding the BRFU in their 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign. The National U18 XV competed in the NAWIRA UI9 RWCQ 2007 in Guyana the first time the National Juniors have competed in a regional Tournament for some four years, testimony to the hardwork being conducted by our Rugby Development Officer, Dennis Hargreaves. In the same year the U19s/Juniors competed in a St. Vincent/St. Lucia/Barbados triangular series as well as several visiting schools. Dennis continues to introduce rugby into some six schools in Barbados. 2005/6 has also seen the formation of our first Women's rugby squad who, under the tutelage of Martin Varga, competed in the 2006 Digicel NAWIRA Men's & Women's Seven-A-Side Tournament and a triangular series with St. Vincent & St. Lucia.

Barbados continues to have representation on the West Indies Seven-A-Side squad for the Sevens circuit including the IRB World Seven-A-Side Los Angeles Leg and the Cayman Invitational Seven-A-Side Tournament.

Off the pitch the BRFU successfully hosted the 2005 Digicel NAWIRA Men's & Women's Seven-A-Side Tournament, the biggest rugby tournament in the Caribbean, which saw 18 teams from 12 nations battle it out for the honours, with Jamaica and Trinidad winning the Men's and Women's championship respectively. This Tournament proved to be such a success that NAWIRA have requested Barbados to host this Tournament again in 2006. As a result we now have established a second pitch at the Garrison Savannah in preparation for this event. We must thank our organising committee and volunteers for making such a success of last year's event, special mention should go to Phil Mayers, Mickey Stears, Malcolm 'Blakey' Steel and Carol Hargreaves for their considerable effort.

The Men's & Women's Seven-A-Side Tournament has proven to be such a success that the BRFU is, in conjunction with the BTA, planning to launch an International Seven-A-Side Tournament as a permanent fixture in the Barbados Sporting Calendar.

The preparations for the Rugby World Cup Qualifier against Canada saw several improvements to the Garrison Savannah facility, including improved seating and facilities, with a programme of refurbishment set to continue over the summer months, and the establishment of a permanent irrigation system for the Garrison main pitch. Many thanks to Simon Moll for ensuring the introduction of a permanent irrigation system to the Garrison Savannah pitch as this was by no means a 'small feat'.

In 2006 the BRFU successfully agreed a sponsorship deal with 'Kukri' sportswear whom provided a new professionally designed 'Rugby Barbados Kit' for the National XV, National U19s and National Women's Squad. Similarly, through the hardwork and tenacity of Jason Brewer we were able to secure a major sponsorship deal with 'Montpelier' for our RWCQ campaign a relationship that we hope to harness for the ongoing development of rugby in Barbados.

The BRFU, in 2005, were honoured with the National Sports Council's 'Association of the Year' Award as recognition of the achievements of the Barbados Rugby Football Union.

Lastly, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the following sponsors, all of whom have come to the aid of the BRFU in many different ways, without which we would not have been able so much in the past year:
Montpelier Group
Barbados Tourism Authority
Lucky Horse Shoe
Digicel
Banks Beer
Cockspur Rum
Tucker Johnston Construction Ltd
Gildan Sportswear
AdeB
Gillespie & Steel Architects
TMR Sales
Rayside Construction Ltd
Barbados Olympic Association
Barbados Turf Club
Newspaper Direct
Wamco
Bert’s Bar
Aggro Chemicals
Charlie’s Bar
World Gym

The BRFU have much to look forward to in the 2006/7 season starting in September 2006:

Domestic League:
The Barbados RFU Domestic League will commence in the fall with the following fixtures scheduled:
September 30th, 2006 - Scorpions RFC Vs Renegades RFC
October 7th, 2006 - BDF Vs Renegades RFC
October 14th, 2006 - Scorpions RFC Vs BDF
October 28th, 2006 - Scorpions RFC Vs Renegades RFC
November 4th, 2006 - BDF Vs Renegades RFC
November 11th, 2006 - Scorpions RFC Vs BDF
December 2nd, 2006 - BDF Vs Renegades RFC
December 9th, 2006 - Scorpions RFC Vs BDF
December 16th, 2006 - Renegades RFC Vs Scorpions RFC

Training for this competition will be, in consultation with the clubs, confirmed in due course, but will commence in early September 2006.

Consur II Tournament:
The Barbados RFU have been requested to compete in a Consur II tournament later in the season. Although, the BRFU are yet to receive confirmation it is believed that this tournament will be hosted by Venezuela and attended by Brazil, Colombia and Peru. Further details will be made available in due course.

NAWIRA Men's & Women's Seven-A-Side Tournament:
This Tournament will again be hosted by the Barbados RFU as is scheduled for November 18th & 19th, 2006. The 2006 Tournament is shaping up to be bigger than 2005 with more teams and nations attending to fight it out for Caribbean supremacy in the shortened format of the game. National Team training for this competition will commence in September 2006. Further details will be provided for those interested.

NAWIRA U19 RWCQ 2008:
The Cayman RFU will play host to this tournament in July 2007 where it is hoped that Barbados will improve on their position in the 2006 tournament.

NAWIRA Men's Caribbean 15-A-Side Tournament:
The venue & date of this tournament are to be confirmed, however, this tournament will feature in the 2007 calendar.

NAWIRA Women's Caribbean 15-A-Side Tournament:
The venue & date of this tournament are to be confirmed, however, this tournament will feature in the 2007 calendar.

We can look forward to a busy 2006/7 season and build on our successes of the 2005/6 season.

Donovan Bagwell