USVI Rugby Football Union Plans Future Including Hosting College Tournament in 2017

The United States Virgin Islands Rugby Football Union (USVIRFU) has announced it will host a College Seven’s Rugby Tournament – Rugby Paradise Smash on March 25, 2017, on St. Thomas. The tournament will include 10 college teams from the U.S. in a full day of competition. Visit the tournament’s Web site for further updates at www.rugbyparadisesmash.com

USVIRFU expects the tournament to bring 200 competitors and attendees to St. Thomas for a week of rugby events. Events will include Beach Rugby, an all-star game, a USVI Privateers’ exhibition match, as well as the main event – Rugby Paradise Smash. The participating teams will not only do well for the club’s mission to promote rugby in the USVI, but for the welfare of the V.I., too. Many teams will be participating in community service projects as part of their time in the territory.

This will be the first event of this type for the USVI Rugby Football Union. The team is looking for community service projects for players and teams to participate in, so if any person or organization has or would like to plan an event in conjunction with the USVIRFU, please contact Mark Grimes, the host team coordinator, at mark.w.grimes@gmail.com.

If an individual or company is interested in sponsoring a rugby or community service event, please reach out to Mark Grimes at his e-mail address.

The V.I. Rugby Football Union was founded in 2012 and competes perennially with BVI Clubs and the San Juan Men’s Club, and it hosts stateside teams in the territory. The club is active on all three islands and competes in 7s and 15s rugby. The club also hosts contact and non-contact rugby games for all, as well as monthly social events including beach rugby and Frenchtown Fives. All Virgin Islanders, men and women of all ages, are welcome to be a part of the Union.

Its primary mission is to promote the sport of rugby in the USVI, and to support and develop athletes for competition at local, regional, national and international levels. While rugby is the main focus, the Union’s vision is to provide a variety of programs that serve the community as the Union grows. Through goal setting, teamwork, hard work and discipline, the Union’s programs will catalyze and create new opportunities and success for participants both on and off the field.

Please direct questions to or request for an interview to Mark Grimes at Mark.W.Grimes@gmail.com.