Bermuda will open their Rugby Americas North under-19 Championship against USA South tomorrow in Miami.

Drawn in pool B, Bermuda will also play Trinidad and Tobago in the opening stage of the tournament which runs until next weekend.

Despite the absence of several players Bermuda have still been able to name a 22-man squad that includes five with senior international experience.

Aldon Campbell, Jahniko Francis, Calum Maule, Mikle Dill and Camren Caines were all involved in various stages of Bermuda’s RAN Championship campaign in May and June.

Bermuda’s second game against Trinidad and Tobago is on Monday, with the team then facing a four-day wait before the play-off matches on Saturday, July 16.

Cayman Islands, Mexico, the defending champions, and Turks and Caicos make up pool A, with the winners of both pools playing each other in a final and the chance to represent the region in next month’s Sudamerica Rugby Under-18 tournament.

“We see this as a vital component to the continued expansion of rugby in the Caribbean and Mexico,” Niall Brooks, RAN general manager, said. “Many of our unions use the tournament as a stepping stone to expose players who will be competing in senior rugby.”

In its thirteenth year the tournament has grown from just three to ten teams competing this time around. Mexico have won the tournament for the past two years, while Cayman Islands have also been a dominant force in the past.

With a significant gap between their final pool game and the play-offs, Bermuda will spend the time practicing and watching the other games in the weeklong tournament, which includes a women’s 10s competition for the first time.

There will also be several clinics geared towards developing the game in the region. Sean Field-Lament, the Bermuda Rugby Football Union president, is due to attend, as is Patrick Calow, the BRFU development officer and coach of the under-19 team.

Bermuda’s game against USA South kicks off at 5pm Bermuda time, as does the game against Trinidad and Tobago. All the games from the tournament will be streamed via the new RAN Rugby YouTube channel.

Field-Lament, meanwhile, was re-elected as president of the BRFU at the governing body’s annual general meeting on Wednesday.

The biggest changes to the BRFU executive were the departures of Lawrence Bird, the chairman, and Roedolf van der Westhuizen, the vice-president and Bermuda national team coach.

Gareth Nokes, previously the youth rugby committee chairman, was elected to replace Bird, with Benjamin Beasley replacing van der Westhuizen.

Elected as club representatives for the following year were: Tommy Edwards (Police), Richard Howells (Renegades), Jonathan Lightbourne (Teachers) and Andrew Barnes (Mariners).

“Rugby is growing among the youth and we are very excited about what is happening with women’s rugby and the Sevens programme,” Field-Lament said. “There are several events that we are looking forward to in particular the Ariel Re Bermuda Sevens.

“There are some new faces on the executive which will provide energy and a new perspective. It’s an exciting time for rugby in Bermuda.”