Guyana Police Falcons set for Saint Lucia 7s title defence

Defending champions Guyana Police Force Falcons have confirmed their return to Saint Lucia to defend their title at the fifth edition of the Saint Lucia International 7s Rugby Tournament.
The two-day tournament is set for Friday, July 31, and Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Gros Islet Sporting Facilities, where teams from across the Caribbean and further afield will compete for more than US$14,000 in cash prizes.
The Police Falcons, who have been placing special emphasis on fitness in their preparations, are expected to face strong competition as several teams continue to build towards the tournament.
The event will feature men’s and women’s players from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Guyana, Martinique, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and host nation Saint Lucia.
The St Lucia Rugby Football Union (SLRFU), in a release to the media, said the tournament has become a major event on its calendar and continues to promote the island as a sports tourism destination. The 2026 edition will again be held under the theme of combining rugby with St Lucia’s festive and cultural experience.

The event, now branded as the Saint Lucia Rugby Football Union International 7s – “Rugby in Paradise 7s”, has grown into a signature tournament on both the local rugby calendar and the regional sports tourism calendar.
According to the SLRFU, the roots of the tournament date back to the original Carnival 7s, which was started by Kennard Monrose and Roger Butcher after Saint Lucia, then known as the St Lucia Hawks, participated in the LIAT 7s in 1994. The idea was to host a rugby tournament on the weekend before St Lucian Carnival, using the slogan “Come to St Lucia Carnival and play rugby.”
That tournament attracted several club teams from around the Caribbean before it eventually came to an end after about five years.
The Carnival 7s concept was later revived in 2022 under the leadership of Roger Butcher, Imran Williams, and Wayne Pantor, with the same focus on blending sport, tourism, and culture. Since then, the tournament has continued to attract returning participants while new teams have also booked their places for the 2026 edition.
Apart from the matches, the tournament also focuses on player, coach and official development. In the days leading up to competition, participants are expected to be involved in island tours, technical workshops, and certification opportunities in areas such as coaching and officiating.
The tournament experience also includes several social activities, including the Gros Islet Street Party, the post-tournament “Cool Down Beach Jam”, the “Rugby Sunset Cruise” and community carnival events, giving players, officials, and supporters a chance to experience Saint Lucian culture and hospitality.
SLRFU Technical Director Wayne Pantor said the St Lucia rugby family remains grateful to the teams, sponsors, and supporters who continue to back the tournament as efforts continue to build it into a premier rugby event.