Team sports line-up for Trinbago 2023 unveiled

The team sports programme at Trinbago 2023 will see 44 international teams, representing 23 nations around the Commonwealth, compete across Beach Volleyball, FAST5 Netball and Rugby Sevens. All three disciplines are being hosted in Tobago.

It will be the first time ever FAST5 Netball is included on the Youth Games programme and competition for the inaugural title promises to be high, with hosts Trinidad and Tobago, Australia, England, South Africa, Botswana, Canada, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Scotland all featuring. Taking place at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex from 8-10 August, FAST5 Netball’s shorter, faster format is set to captivate fans.

In the men’s Beach Volleyball competition, England will be looking to defend their title against a broad field that includes Canada, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and South Africa. As will Australia, who will be taking on teams including the Cayman Islands, Scotland, Kenya and Bermuda in the women’s event. The beautiful Pigeon Point Beach will be the competitions’ home from 5-10 August.

FIVB Technical Delegate for Trinbago 2023, Mushtaque Mohammed said: “We are delighted to have such a wide cross section of participants in the Beach Volleyball at Trinbago 2023, with 18 CGAs competing across a total of 56 games, over a six day period. Since Bahamas 2017, we have seen the progression of athletes into the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, so we know the benefits of the Commonwealth Youth Games as a development tool for the sport and athletes.”

Men’s Rugby Sevens will be contested by Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, Jamaica, Scotland, Fiji and South Africa, with Fiji looking to improve on the bronze medal they won in the Bahamas in 2017. While Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, Wales, Fiji and Kenya will take on defending champions Australia in the women’s competition. All games will take place at the Shaw Park Cultural recreational field on 6-8 August.

CGF President, Dame Louise Martin, commented: “We are thrilled to unveil the nations competing in the team sports at Trinbago 2023. The Beach Volleyball, FAST5 Netball and Rugby Sevens competitions are set to be highly competitive, with nations from across the Commonwealth vying for gold. It will be an unforgettable, inspiring experience for the young athletes involved and an opportunity for fans to see the stars of the future.

“We are particularly excited to announce the teams playing in the first ever FAST5 Netball competition. The dynamic and innovative format promises to be one of the highlights of the Games.”

Entry for team sports was by invitation and the demand for places was once again high. Following applications by Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs), the CGF, in full consultation with the respective International Federations, made the final selection based on criteria including host nation representation, past results, depth of field and strength of competition, and regional representation.

The Commonwealth Youth Games is an invaluable springboard for the stars and leaders of tomorrow, contributing to the further development of youth sport throughout the Commonwealth. Trinbago 2023 will see more than 1,000 athletes and para athletes, between the ages of 14-18, from the 72 nations and territories, participate in a total of seven sports - 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.

Final selected teams are as follows: