Stars of tomorrow in Bahamas

Kayleigh Powell is tackled by Manon Johnes - both are included in Wales' team for the Games (Photo: WRU)

The Commonwealth Youth Games – for U18 athletes - first took place in 2000. Normally every four years, there is just a two-year gap this time after the Commonwealth Games Federation decided to move the young event to the year before the main games, rather than the year after.

In theory one of the leading Commonwealth nations in each sport from each continent (it gets a little complex as there are limits on the number of athletes from each nation) is invited to take part in a six-team tournament.

Women’s sevens was only included for the first time two years ago in Apia, Samoa. With Scotland not taking up their invitation, it became – in effect - a Pacific tournament, with the island teams unable to stop Australia meeting Canada in the final,with gold won by Australia. Fiji took third.

The top three from 2015 return, but this time they are joined by Wales, which should make the tournament a significantly tougher event. In Trinidad & Tobago represent teh Caribbean, and Bahamas make up the half dozen coming in late in the day for South Africa, who refused their invitation.

The aim of the tournament is to be a showcase for future sports stars, and despite being less than two years ago two of Australia’s team from Apia have already graduated into the adult team – Dominique Du Tuit and Emma Sykes.

As in Apia the competition will be a six-team round-robin over two days (19-20 July) with medal and positional play-offs on the third day.

Scores

Squads

Australia

Lilly-Rose Bennett (10 Aug 2000); Kennedy Kataea Cherrington (05 Jan 1999); Lillian Jane Dick (26 Dec 1999); Rebecca Lynette Goulding (30 Mar 1999); Georgia Rose Hannaway (28 Dec 2000); Abby Rose Holmes (14 Oct 2000); Page Charisma Mcgregor (11 Mar 1999); Arabella Bedeli Mckenzie (01 Mar 1999); Layne Morgan (20 Apr 1999); Brydie Jane Parker (25 Oct 1999); Langley Venise Sesega (09 Apr 2000); Hannah Grace Southwell (04 Mar 1999);

Bermuda

Hannah Eve Beek (28 Dec 1999); Israel Caroline Bennett (09 Aug 1999); Corrie Alexa Cross (24 Mar 1999); Kadaisha Sandre Fox (07 Dec 1999); Bella Jasmine Greene (22 Jun 2000); Nya Angel Monae Heyliger (07 Dec 1999); Diamond Jannett Jordan-Desilva (25 Jul 2000); Inshan-Nae Aliy Smith (12 May 2000); Keonte White (07 Oct 2000); Cerise Braya Woodley (11 Nov 1999);

Canada

Taylor Black (23 Jul 2000); Khadija Brouillette (11 Jun 1999); Samantha Cyrille (04 Apr 2000); Hannah Daniels (14 Aug 1999); Olivia De Covvreur (20 Feb 2000); Sophie De Goede (30 Jun 1999); Carmen Izyk (08 Aug 2000); Tausani Levale (02 Oct 1999); Aliesha Lewis (21 Jan 2000); Denise Roy (18 Dec 1999); Eve Mercy Uwayesu (22 Jan 1999); Keyara Wardley (27 Jan 2000);

Fiji

Jasiliva Vukina Babavono (02 Dec 2000); Liliviwa Gusuiv Dabea (23 Sep 1999); Veniana Lewarara (11 Jun 2000); Ani Mei Likuvaqali (17 Apr 2000); Ulita Lomayaco (18 Apr 1999); Merewalesi Manumanutabua (28 Jul 1999); Raylin Sydney Mario (16 Apr 2000); Elenoa Adi Naimata (11 Aug 1999); Torika Kinona Ratubusa (03 May 2000); Raijieli Tale (23 Jan 1999); Martharina Tove (27 Jun 1999); Salote Vuniwaqa (28 May 2000);

Trinidad and Tobago

Alisha Antoine (07 Jul 2000); Skylette Augustine (15 Jun 1999); Zakiya Belle (26 Mar 1999); Kendra Bournes (09 Oct 1999); Rochelle Burke (30 Nov 2000); Shania Charles (29 May 1999); Talitha Forde (23 Nov 2000); Kimberly Goolie (26 May 2000); Fayola Jack (10 Jul 2000); Thea Marrast (17 Jul 2000); Jamika Melville (17 Oct 2000); Daenelle Tobias (19 Aug 1999);

Wales

Lleucu Fflur George (12 Jan 2000); Courtney Nicol Greenway (17 Jul 1999); Manon Sara John Johnes (17 Dec 2000); Ffion Medi Jones (10 Sep 1999); Bethan Mair Lewis (19 Feb 1999); Caitlin Anghara Lewis (16 Nov 1999); Maisie Olivia E Mackenzie (14 Feb 1999); Amy Victoria Morgan (20 Feb 1999); Lucy Ann France Packer (02 Feb 2000); Kayleigh Louise Powell (18 Feb 1999); Imogen Grace Shide (17 Feb 2000); Lauren Jayne Smyth (09 Mar 2001)