Most Exotic Location Ever

After 15 editons and hundreds of teams under its belt, it´s not easy to find nations who haven´t been represented in one of the Figueira Beach Rugby editions…. 2026 seems to be an exception, with a new nation to be added to the list of countries represented in the event. Bonaire a small Caribean island will be represented for the frist time and the guy behind this accomplishment is Mitch de Palm, Project Manager of Bonaire Rugby Federation!

Know more about this endeavour, reading the interview he gave to us.

1. Bonaire has to be the most exotic location ever featured in Figueira Beach Rugby. Tell us a bit about Bonaire.

Bonaire is a small island in the southern Caribbean Sea, just north of Venezuela and Colombia. We have a population of around 25,000 people and are known for our nature, crystal-clear waters, and strong connection to the outdoors. We also have a rich mix of cultures and a very relaxed, welcoming vibe.

2. How is Bonaire’s rugby scene in general ?

Rugby is still a relatively young sport on Bonaire, but it’s growing steadily. For many people, it’s their first introduction to a full contact sport, so there’s still some hesitation around tackling and physicality. That said, interest is increasing, and more players are getting involved as they become familiar with the game. We currently focus on men’s, women’s, and youth rugby, with regular training and an increasing number of competitions (each category two tournaments a year minimum).

3. Is there any Beach Rugby being played in Bonaire?

Yes, very much so. We actually noticed a big increase in participation when we shifted more focus from 7s to Beach Rugby. Beach Rugby feels more accessible and less intimidating for new players, which helped grow our active membership quickly. We now aim for a healthy balance between Beach Rugby and 7s.
In March 2026, we’ll be hosting teams from Trinidad & Tobago for a tournament, including a women’s team, which has been a major focus for us recently. Our youth players are also developing fast, playing both Beach Rugby and 7s. It’s exciting to see how the rugby community on Bonaire is evolving.

4. How does the future look for rugby in Bonaire?

The future looks very positive. We’re deliberately spreading our focus across women and youth to make sure everyone has equal opportunities to play, compete, and travel. In the coming year, we plan to invest even more in youth development to build a strong foundation for the future. Step by step, rugby is becoming part of the local sports culture.

5. How did you hear about Figueira Beach Rugby?

Honestly, by accident. I originally reached out to you to ask permission to use some of your photos for our own Beach Rugby tournament last September. To my surprise, you immediately said yes. After that, we started looking more closely at Figueira Beach Rugby and realized how special the event really is. From there, we gathered the players who competed locally and decided to make the trip together.

6. What are your expectations for your first participation?

We’re expecting challenges, both on and off the field, but that’s part of the excitement. For many of our players, this will be their first time traveling this far for rugby, and for some, their first time in Portugal. We’re mainly looking forward to good rugby, meeting new people, connecting with the European rugby community, and, above all, enjoying the experience.