OSHAWA, Ont. - Three Durham Lords athletes, current and former, competed on the international stage as Megan Bent (Barbados), Shay Morris (Jamaica), and Sierra Persaud (Guyana) headed to Arima, Trinidad and Tobago for the 2025 Rugby Americas North Sevens.
With the tournament's top two teams earning qualification to the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, it marks another major milestone in the growing list of achievements for three standout players who helped shape one of the most decorated eras for a program in DC history.
Bent, representing Barbados, enters the event after completing her fifth season with the Lords. The Oshawa native and O'Neill Collegiate and Vocational Institute graduate built one of the most decorated résumés in program history, capturing five OCAA medals in five years.
Her run began with silver before she helped lead Durham College to four straight provincial golds, establishing herself as a consistent and reliable force throughout her career.
Morris continues her rise on the international scene as she suits up for Jamaica for the second straight year. The Ajax native and Pickering High School graduate played four seasons for the Lords from 2021-2024 and delivered a legacy-defining career.
She won four OCAA medals, including one silver and three gold, earned OCAA Championship MVP honours twice in 2022 and 2024, and finished second all-time at Durham College in career points. Originally a lifelong soccer player, Morris was introduced to rugby when a friend encouraged her to join her high school varsity team - a decision that launched her toward collegiate success and now her second appearance at Rugby Americas North.
After going undefeated in pool play, Morris' Jamaica left the competition with silver medals and locked in their 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games spot.
Persaud's story adds another meaningful chapter to the tournament. Representing Guyana, the Ajax native and Pickering High School graduate played her lone season with the Lords in 2023, helping Durham capture provincial gold.
She fell in love with rugby after watching the 2016 Summer Olympics and committed herself to the sport as soon as she reached high school. Her path to the Guyana National Team began at the St. Lucia Caribcation event, where competing against Guyanese opponents sparked conversations that opened the door for her to represent her family's home country.
"Getting the chance to represent Guyana means a lot to me. My parents were born there, so being able to step on the field wearing those colours feels personal, like honouring my family, my roots, and making them proud. It's a huge privilege that I am so grateful for," said Persaud.
She also credits Durham College for helping shape her growth as both a player and a person, noting that her time with the Lords challenged her in ways she didn't expect and helped her understand the type of environment she needs to thrive.
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