Bermuda head coach Jamie Barnwell acknowledges his side will have to upset the odds if they are to remain in contention for the 2024 Paris Olympics at the Rugby Americas North Sevens tournament in Canada.

Placed in pool B alongside regional powerhouse Canada as well as St Lucia at the event in British Columbia on August 19 and 20, Bermuda are one of nine teams across three groups challenging for the one automatic qualification spot at the Games in Paris next year, as well as a place on the prestigious World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series.

As well as having to topple firm favourites Canada and the United States, Barnwell also has to contend with new eligibility rules, meaning only full passport holders can be selected.

As a result, the coach will be without the likes of experienced, established squad members Stephan Smit and Jamie Baum, as he wrestles with enforced changes to the national set-up.

“We’ve had to transition the entire team,” Barnwell said. “We’ve lost key personnel and have included a lot of new younger players.

“It will certainly be tough, but our goal is always to do ourselves proud and represent Bermuda the best we can.

“We will cherish the opportunity of playing the full time professional nations such as USA and Canada.

“It’s also a great opportunity for our younger players. They are working so hard and showing good early signs and, dare I say it, if we can remain injury free, we may just turn a few heads.”

Prior to the RAN tournament, Barnwell is already deep in preparations for the Central American and Caribbean Games, taking place in San Salvador from June 23 to July 8.

With the eligibility rule also enforced at those Games, the head coach is well aware of the importance of establishing a new squad as quickly as possible, with the opportunity to use the tournament as a tune-up for the Olympic qualifier.

“It will be an intense three-day round-robin tournament and as well as having the pressure of competing against teams fresh out of the Challenger Series, the passport- holders only rule has caused large changes to the playing squad that helped us qualify for the tournament originally,” he added.

“We also have a core group of experienced players overseas, which we are hoping to get involved and connected with the team prior to selection.

“On the plus side, Hadleigh Tucker and Chris Mewett have returned to the set-up, which brings us experience and leadership but also adaptability as they can play across a number of positions. They have always performed so very well for us.

“Keeping all our players in the hunt for selection is important as the CAC Games also acts as a stepping stone to the RAN Olympic qualifier.”

Meanwhile, the national women’s team will also be in action at the RAN tournament.

As one of six competing countries, Bermuda will face off against host nation Canada, Jamaica, Mexico, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines in a round-robin format with qualification for the Olympic Games and Sevens Challenger Series on the line.

One team will ultimately seal Olympic qualification from the region, joining the USA, who successfully sealed their place in Paris through this year’s World Rugby Sevens Series.