Okoth backs addition of girls' rugby at School Games to spark growth of women's game

The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Development Coordinator, Ronald Okoth, says the introduction of girls rugby Sevens to the School Games’ calendar will boost the development of the women's game in the country.

Okoth said the move would add depth to the women's national teams as well as spark the growth of more female rugby clubs.

“Introduction of girls’ 7s rugby to schools will be a very good initiative for us to have more players  in the national team and also to start up more clubs,” he said, “most of the clubs are struggling depthwise. The initiative will lay a pathway for girls to get into club sides easier,” he added.

The official added that KRU are investing in youth rugby, noting the inclusion of the Under-14 category at the Safari Sevens tournament which begins on Friday next week.

“We now have rugby in primary schools at under 14 and under 12 levels.We are going to demonstrate primary school rugby during the safari 7s, something like a nationals to see how they have been fairing.

“We have a school from Marsabit coming and others from all over Western because we are giving that agegroup serious consideration.”

KRU hope that the steps they are taking to develop rugby for both men and women will make the sport sustainable not just for the present, but also for the future.