The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Sports Reporter
WITH the sport of rugby poised for phenomenal growth locally, Manicaland Rugby Board (MRB) is moving to promote and develop the game at grassroots levels throughout the province.
As well as strengthening the sport’s existing structures for quality outcomes, MRB is implementing strategies and programmes to ensure that even amateur clubs and individuals turn professional.
In an interview with Post Sport, MRB chairperson, Moss Kapumha said they are making significant inroads in promoting the game of rugby throughout Manicaland by targeting schools, young talent and ladies.
“As a board responsible for the development of rugby in Manicaland, we are geared to grow the profile of the game in the province. Encouraging active participation in rugby by young people and ladies is one way of empowering them through sport.
“We are already running programmes earmarked for these targeted groups and are hoping to have their increased involvement at every level of the game,” said Kapumha.
He said the province is replete with talent that can be successfully nurtured into national team stars who can have a huge impact even on the international arena.
The response from the targeted groups, said Kapumha, has been positive.
He added: “We are just emerging from the Covid-19-induced disruptions to the game and have embarked on a drive to encourage schools, both primary and secondary to form rugby teams because they play an important role as feeders to our local clubs as conveyor belts of talent. Pursuant to that, we are engaging both National Association of Primary Heads (NAPH) and National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) to achieve that end.
“This can be a really fruitful initiative and is already promising signs of success as schools like Lydia Chimonyo, Sagambe, Sahumani and Mavhudzi now have active teams, while Gatsi is just starting out.
“Tertiary institutions like Africa University, Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences, Magamba Training Centre, Mutare Teachers’ College and Marymount Teachers’ College are warming up to the idea, while other stakeholders are showing keen interest. This can go a long way in promoting and developing the game in the province. The future of rugby in Manicaland is very bright.”
As part of MRB’s plan to sustain this cause, matches involving young talent and ladies will be on the menu as a rugby fiesta bursts into life tomorrow (Saturday) when Mutare Sports Club hosts the inaugural inter-city Paramaount Garments Invitational Tournament pitting six teams from Mutare, Harare and Bulawayo.
The tag contest, Kapumha explained, targets children and is the non-contact version of rugby meant to introduce beginners to the sport.
Kicking off at 10am, it will serve as the curtain-raiser to the day’s big matches and will be followed by the ladies tie at 12.30pm featuring Manicaland Select and Harare Select.
Meanwhile, MRB last week held two training workshops aimed at capacitating rugby coaches as well as improve the standards of the game in the province.
This follows up on another course targeting referees held in June.
“We had a Level One coaching course at Mutare Sports Club last week on Friday and there was overwhelming response with 23 participants drawn from Buhera, Makoni, Mutasa and Mutare Districts in attendance. The following day we conducted another one in Chipinge District and it attracted 12 participants. We are excited about this development because we last had similar courses held in the province seven years ago.
“The training courses were meant to equip the coaches with the sport’s modern day trends and tactics and participants are set to receive their certificates in due course after completing the online lessons. The badges are internationally recognised and holders can practise anywhere in the world. Dereck Chiwara, who is a World Rugby Board educator under Zimbabwe Rugby Union, conducted the courses,” said Kapumha.
He added that they are set to hold more courses when schools open for the Third Term in line with their plan to broaden horizons and take the sport closer to the people.
