Kenya girls take 1st and 3rd at international rugby tournament

Kenya girls take 1st and 3rd at international rugby tournament

Kenya rugby girls Under 18 “ViQueens” claimed the championship at Connect to Africa, with fellow travellers Under 15 “RenGirls” placing third in their first international competition.

Supported by Shamas Rugby Foundation, Tatu City and Scroll & Priest, the 20 girls spent two days competing in Jinja, Uganda, at the third annual Connect to Africa tournament.

RenGirls and the ViQueens played a number of East Africa teams, giving the fans at the Hippos Rugby Club in Jinja some exceptional performances.

After the group stages, played under very wet and muddy conditions, both teams topped their respective pools, and entered the semi-finals after winning all matches without conceding even a single try. Both teams showcased great basic skills as well as excellent teamwork and sportsmanship both on and off the pitch. Some of the Shamas players (Mildred Ahono and Trizah Wangare for RenGirls and Repha Kunga and Gael Awuor for the ViQueens), put in incredible individual performances.

Pool Matches – Results:

RenGirls

• 20-0 vs Mbale Girls (UG)
• 10-0 vs Vihiga Blackrock (KE)
• 20-0 vs Jinja Lionesses 2 (UG)

ViQueens

• 25-0 vs Walukuba (UG)
• 20-0 vs Kyadondo (UG)
•  31-0 vs Mbale (UG)

On the second day of play, the RenGirls met the 2018 U15s Champions, Jinja Lionesses (UG), for their first ever International semi-final. After a very tough match with many hard tackles and great team plays, the RenGirls had to surrender 7-0 to the 2018 Champions. The girls gave it their best, but credit to the Jinja Lionesses for coming out of this match victorious, on their way to winning their 2nd Connect to Africa 7s title in a row.

However, it was to be the ViQueens’ day. After beating twice the very physical Mbale Girls (UG) with a sensational team performance (FT 31-0) in the semi-final, the ViQueens had to face the 2018 Champions, Nakuru TopFry (KE) in the final. Nakuru was a very experienced and well prepared team, managed by Kenya Women’s 15s and 7s Coach Felix Oloo. The ViQueens were up against a very challenging opponent, but the character, amazing attitude and fantastic team performance from the team kept the entire crowd on their feet cheering for the young girls from Shamas. Final score 19-0 –for the ViQueens, crowing them 2019 Champions!

The teams also garnered individual awards: Alice Gathoni (ViQueens Captain) was crowned tournament MVP; and Miltred Ahono and Nelly Marie (RenGirls) were awarded for their amazing performances, skills and understanding of the game.

In 2020, the Connect to Africa tournament will be held in Kenya, an opportunity for more of the Shamas Rugby Foundation children to participate in this life changing experience.

About Shamas Rugby Foundation (www.shamasrugby.com)

Shamas Rugby Foundation is a sport for development organization that uses rugby and its values to enhance the well-being of children and young adults living in urban slums and rural areas in Kenya through Life Skills and Counseling, Education and Employability, and Community Welfare programs. Today, Shamas Rugby Foundation reaches over 1,500 children (age 8-18) in five centers in Nairobi and Kiambu County on a weekly basis. SRF has 55 on secondary school scholarships and 8 students on university scholarship. SRF’s Life Skills and Counseling program, which started in 2016, has already reached over 1,200 beneficiaries.

About Scroll & Priest

Scroll & Priest is a Kenyan owned specialist consultancy firm specialising in safety, physical, cyber security and business intelligence.  We provide a range of integrated security management services to our clients.  We have a reputation for excellence in execution and discretion. Our professional team combines in-depth understanding of local business, social, cultural and economic issues with deep functional and industry knowledge. We work with a diverse range of clients in the public and private sector to whom we are committed to providing a high level of service.  Clients include government agencies, real estate firms and the corporate sector.