With the NAWIRA Sevens coming up in less than two weeks, a few people have been asking what exactly is NAWIRA.


Formed in March 2001, the North America and West Indies Rugby Association (“NAWIRA”) is one of the six iRB regional associations. NAWIRA is the governing body of the sixteen Unions in North America and the West Indies. It’s membership is diverse and currently includes, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, St Lucia, St Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA.


The West Indies Rugby Union was established in 1975 and is the governing body of the eleven West Indies Unions and Bermuda. NAWIRA is administered by a four Member Executive Committee, one each from USA Rugby, Rugby Canada, the WIRU and an at-large Member selected by the membership. The Board’s current Executive are:


Pearse Higgins: President (Rugby Canada)
Neal Brendel: Vice President (USA Rugby)

Kit Nascimento: Treasurer (West Indies Rugby Union & Guyana)
Dennis Dwyer: Secretary (West Indies Rugby Union & Bermuda)


NAWIRA’s day to day administration is carried out by an appointed Development Planning Officer. The iRB’s representative in the region is Tom Jones (Regional Development Manager).



Source: NAWIRA