Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Inadequate funding frustrates women's rugby in Africa

The development of women's rugby in Africa is hampered by the lack of support from their rugby unions or their governments. Uganda fares slightly better than her neighbours (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi) in that the chairperson of the Uganda Women's Rugby Association sits on the Uganda Rugby Union executive committee and can influence decisions (financial and otherwise) that affect women's rugby. The Ugandan government is disinterested in sports and slashes the sports budget every year (most of the budget goes to football anyway). Both the URU and UWRA therefore have an uphill task to develop and sustain men and women's rugby on a shoestring budget (most of it catered for by IRB development funds and sponsorship from corporate bodies). At the end of the day, men's rugby takes first priority and a huge chunk of the limited resources.
In Kenya, the Kenya Rugby Football Union only financed the women's 7's teams for the Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) 7's tournaments in 2006 and 2007 after pressure from CAR. The Kenya women's rugby body formed this year is not recognised by KRFU. Rwanda and Burundi lack technical expertise (coaches and managers) although their rugby unions are keen to develop women's rugby and provide financial assistance to the women when they can.
This situation is not unique to East Africa. Recently, South African women rugby players complained that they receive virtually no support from the South African Rugby Union and have to rely on the government for financial aid. SARU and the South African Rugby Players' Association do not give women the same support as men as women rugby players have no professional contraacts therefore play rugby only for 'fun'.
It is against this background that the first international 15 aside game between Uganda (Lady Cranes) and South Africa (Lady Springboks) that was being organised to take place between late October and early December 2007 in either South Afirca or Uganda is unlikely to kick off as neither team can afford to travel. With the IRB 7's African World Cup Qualifiers next year, and only 2 African teams going through to the 2009 IRB 7's World Cup, Lady Cranes and Lady Springboks have to choose between the exciting prospect of a 15 aside game or saving the little they have for preparations for their respective 7 aside squads.
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Monday, September 3, 2007

Sam Ahamya new Lady Cranes 15 aside coach

The URU has appointed Sam Ahamya to take over from James Park as the Lady Cranes 15 aside coach. Ahamya brings a wealth of experience to the women's team having coached Uganda's U19 and U21 men's teams as well as 2007 Uganda Cup club champions G4S Pirates.

Frustrated by the Kenya Rugby Football Union's lack of interest in Kenya - Uganda women's 15 aside internationals, URU will attempt to go south and has South Africa and Zambia in its sights. South African David Dobela (Uganda's technical director) is currently organising a 15 aside friendly against his former charges - the Lady Springboks. The date of the match is yet to be confirmed but will most likely be held in October. Lady Cranes started training preparations on 29th August and had the first set of trials on 1st September.

36 players from Black Panthers, Rangers and Thunderbirds have been called up:

PROPS
Evelyn Aweku (Thunderbirds)
Lillian Ikulumet (Thunderbirds)
Fortunate Irankunda (Black Panthers)
Christine Kizito (Thunderbirds)
Alice Nakyonyi (Thunderbirds)
Susan Nambozo (Black Panthers)
Warry Nambirige (Rangers)

HOOKERS
Alia Adania (Rangers)
Mariam Akello (Thunderbirds)
Stella Kyalikunda (Thunderbirds)
Asher Namubiru (Black Panthers)

LOCKS
Stella Abeja (Thunderbirds)
Claire Anena (Black Panthers)
Winnie Atyang (Thunderbirds)
Josephine Namayega (Thunderbirds)
Ann Tumwine (Thunderbirds)

BACK ROW
Stella Bakole (Thunderbirds)
Loy Mbabazi (Black Panthers)
Mary Nakanyike (Thunderbirds)
Rosenburg Kanyunyuzi (Thunderbirds)
Brenda Kayiyi (Black Panthers)
Brenda Kyomugisha (Thunderbirds)

SCRUM HALVES
Joan Andika (Rangers)
Charlotte Mudoola (Rangers)
Prossy Nakakande (Black Panthers)
Hope Nambatya (Rangers)
FLY HALVES
Sauda Adiru (Thunderbirds)
Helen Buteme (Black Panthers)

CENTRES
Harriet Kayonjo (Thunderbirds)
Hadija Namuyanja (Rangers)
Joan Namuyomba (Thunderbirds)

WINGERS
Rachel Kakaire (Thunderbirds)
Agnes Nantongo (Thunderbirds)
Dorothy Nekesa (Thunderbirds)
Patience Onziema (Rangers)
Asha Ssonko (Thunderbirds)
Susan Nambozo, Alia Adania, Mariam Akello, Asher Namubiru, Claire Anena, Josephine Namayega, Loy Mbabazi, Brenda Kayiyi, Brenda Kyomugisha and Agnes Nantongo are looking for their first 15's caps.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

KRFU call off women's international

The KRFU has called off the Kenya versus Uganda women's game that was scheduled to take place on 11th August prior to the men's Elgon Cup decider claiming lack of funds. This comes as a huge disappointment to both teams as they were looking forward to renewing their rivalry on the pitch.

The Kenyan women had held their trial games on 28th July at the KCB grounds in Nairobi, while the Ugandans had held their trails on the same date at the Kampala Rugby Football Club.

This is the second time KRFU has put a spanner in the works, the first time being in May when they declined to send a women's 15 aside team to Uganda claiming all their key players were tied up with preparations for the CAR 7's.

Monday, July 30, 2007

Women ruggers hold trials for Elgon Cup

The KRFU have invited Lady Cranes to curtain rasie the men's return match of the Elgon Cup. The much anticipated clash between the traditional rivals is slated for 11th August at the RFUEA grounds in Nairobi.

The trials were held at Kampala Rugby Club and pitted Thunderbirds versus a combined force of Rangers and Black Panthers. The Rangers-Black Panthers went into the game as clear underdogs with 50 - 00 plus scores being predicted. The Rangers-Black Panthers surprised the Thunderbirds and spectors alike with their determined defence.

The Thunderbirds dominated in the lineouts and scrumdowns however the smaller Rangers-Black Panthers pack held their own in the rucks and mauls. The Rangers-Black Panthers back line was sharper than the Thunderbird backs with flying winger Patience Onziema cauing havoc along the touchline. The Rangers-Black Panthers were unfortunate not to have adequate possession to create enough try scoring opportunities as the Thunderbirds pinned them in their own half most of the game.

The Rangers-Black Panthers worked as a unit in defence and were quick to the breakdown and made every tackle count. The scores remained at 08-00 up until the last 20 minutes of the game when the Rangers-Black Panthers could not withstand the big hits anymore and let in 4 tries in quick succession.

Although the final score was 30 - 00 (5tries, 1conversion, 1penalty) to the Thunderbirds their overall game lacked creativity and they had to rely on their superior size and playing experience to subdue the plucky Rangers-Black Panthers.

Thunderbirds giants Winnie Atyang and Christine Kizito - both playing at centre - stood out for Thunderbirds with their big hits and runs while dimunitive backs, Charlotte Mudoola at fly half (Rangers), Hadija Namuyanja at centre(Rangers), Patience Onziema (Rangers) and Helen Buteme at full back(Black Panthers) as well as flanker Loy Mbabazi (Black Panthers) and lock Hellen Gizamba (Black Panthers) contained the Thunderbirds centres with crunching tackles and snuffed out other potential threats to their try line to keep the score line decent . The game was closely watched by Uganda's technical director David Dobela who will be involved in selecting and coaching the Lady Cranes XV's squad.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

UWRA elections

The Uganda WOmen's Rugby Association (UWRA) held their elections last week. The following were elected to serve on the UWRA Executive Committee.

Chairperson: Irene Namapii
Vice: Immy Mudoola
Treasurer: Jeroline Akubu
Secreatry: Monica Lukwiya
Members: Christine Kizito
Hadija Namuyanja
Pamela Wafula

School girl national 7's

The school girls national 7's championships were held this month in Lira, home of the highest number of school girls teams in Uganda. St. Katherine's and Lira Integrated fielded an A and B side each while Bright Light, Almond College and Aduku S.S. each fielded one team.

St. Katherine's B won the plate final while St. Katherine's A lifted teh main cup trophy to become the overall champions.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Charlotte Mudoola climbs up the ranks

Charlotte Mudoola went one step better from her international officiating debut where she run touch for Zambian referee Chris Mwamba during last month's men's international fixture between Uganda and Kenya at Kyadondo Rugby Club.

While 44th ranked Uganda made history at Kampala Rugby Club on 23rd June by beating Namibia who are 24th in the IRb world rankings, Charlotte Mudoola was creating history of her own. Centre referee Mark Lawrence from South Africa presented Charlotte with a rare chance to run touch when he collided with a Namibian player in the first half sustaining a deep gash on his head. Although he was temporarily patched up and he continued refereeing until the end of the first half the cut was serious and required stitches so at the half time break he handed over to one of his fellow touch judges from South Africa. Luckily enough, Charlotte was on standby and the second half saw her running touch in her second IRB sanctioned men's international.

Well done Charlotte!!!


ugrugbychiclet

Monday, June 18, 2007

CAR 7's results

This year's CAR 7's had 10 teams from 8 countries. South Africa, Uganda, Tunisia and Kenya established themselves as the top 4 teams (in 7 aside rugby) in Africa by reaching the main cup semis. Below is a summary of the day.

POOL A

South Africa

Kenya

Zambia

Burundi

Uganda Select



POOL B

Uganda

Tunisia

Rwanda

Tukkies University (Pretoria - South Africa)

Zimbabwe



South Africa won all it's preliminary games to top Pool A while Kenya lost only to South Africa to become second. Uganda Select beat both Zambia and Burundi to finish 3rd and Zambia finished 4th after beating Burundi. Burundi did not win any games and were locked out of the remainder of the tournament.



In Pool B, Uganda won all it's games to book a main cup semi final with SA while Tunisia met up with Kenya in the other main cup semi. Rwanda lost all it's games and joined Burundi in being relegated to a spectators role while Tukkies beat Rwanda and Zimbabwe to finish 3rd and earn a plate semi final berth against Zambia. Zimbabwe beat Rwanda to end up fourth in Pool B and so met with Uganda Select in the 2nd plate semi.

Zambia beat Tukkies 26 - 05 while Uganda Select beat Zimbabwe 36 - 00. Zambia and Uganda Select met for the 2nd time that day and in a repeat of last year's plate final. Zambia won the plate final last year and were keen to repeat the same feat and avenge their earlier defeat by Uganda in the day. Zambia turned the tables on Uganda Select and won the final 21 - 05.

In the main cup semi's, Uganda beat Kenya 14 - 00 courtesy of 2 tries by Helen Buteme and 2 conversions by Rachel Kakaire. South Africa hammered Tunisia 34 - 00 to set up a rematch of last year's main cup final.

In the main cup final Uganda scored first through Christine Kizito. The try was converted by Rachel Kakaire to put Uganda ahead 07 - 00. At half time the score was still 07 - 00 but after the break South Africa came out guns blazing and scored 4 unconverted tries through Natasha Hoffmeester (2), Saloma Booysen and Nomtha Xape.

Helen Buteme (Uganda) finished the tournament as the top try scorer with 11 tries. Marlize Jordaan, Saloma Booysen (both South Africa) and Agness Mtambalika (Zambia) had 7 tries each. Natasha Hoffmeester (South Africa) was awarded the tournament MVP title.

The next CAR tournament will be in 2008 and will be used as a qualification tournament for the 2009 IRB World Cup 7's in Dubai. CAR is yet to announce the hosting country. South Africa, Uganda and Tunisia are all keen to host the event.


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Thursday, June 14, 2007

Lady Cranes pooled with Tunisia, Rwanda

URU has released the draws for tomorrow's (Saturday June 16th) CAR women's 7's tournament. A total of 8 countries have been pooled in 2 pools. South Africa are the tournament's top seeds while hosts Uganda are second seeds. Tunisia and Kenya are seeded 3rd and 4th respectively.

POOL A
South Africa
Kenya
Zambia
Burundi

POOL B
Uganda
Tunisia
Rwanda
Zimbabwe

Uganda, Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe are already at the Hotel Equatoria where they will be hosted for the duration of the tournament. South Africa, Rwanda, and Burundi are expected to arrive in teh country tonight.

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Wednesday, June 13, 2007

LADY CRANES SQUAD ANNOUNCED

Herbert Wafula announced his squad of 10 that will battle it out with other African countries in the 2nd edition of the Confederation of Africa (CAR) women’s 7’s tournament to be held this Saturday, 16th June at the Kyadondo Rugby Club grounds. Rosenberg Kanyunyuzi (Thunderbirds), Frankline Najjumba (Black Panthers), and Mary Nakanyike (Thunderbirds) have been dropped from the team. The ladies go into camp at Hotel Equatoria today (Thursday). Below is the Lady Cranes squad:

1. Joan Andika (Rangers)
2. Sauda Adiru (Thunderbirds)
3. Winnie Atyang - Captain (Thunderbirds)
4. Helen Buteme (Black Panthers)
5. Rachel Kakaire (Thunderbirds)
6. Christine Kizito (Thunderbirds)
7. Charlotte Mudoola (Rangers)
8. Hadija Namuyanja - Vice captain (Rangers)
9. Asha Ssonko (Thunderbirds)
10. Ann Tumwine (Thunderbirds)

Head coach: Herbert Wafula
Assistant coach: Timothy Mudoola
Fitness & nutrition coach: Fredrick Mudoola
Team manager: Jackie Kigozi
Team doctor: Ambrose Ejalu

The other participating countries arrive in Kampala today. They will also be hosted at Hotel Equatoria by the Uganda Rugby Union (URU). The tournament kicks off at 09.00am with the group stages. Uganda’s biggest threats are South Africa, Tunisia and Kenya.

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Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Lady Cranes at the Tusker Safari 7's - Kenya

Lady Cranes had mixed fortunes at the just concluded Tusker Safari 7's in Nairobi. The team arrived in the Kenyan capital in the wee hours of Friday (8th June) morning having spent the better part of Thursday afternoon and night on the bumpy road between Kampala and Nairobi. The women's category included Mwamba Invaders and Rovers (both Kenyan Club sides) and Keele University (England).

Rosenberg Kanyunyuzi earned her first 7's cap for Uganda during this tournament. The Lady Cranes' squad for the Safari 7's was Joan Andika, Sauda Adiru, Winnie Atyang (Captain), Rachel Kakaire, Rosenberg Kanyunyuzi, Christine Kizito, Charlotte Mudoola, Mary Nakanyike, Hadija Namuyanja (Vice captain), Asha Ssonko and Ann Tumwine.

Lady Cranes' first game was on Friday afternoon and inspite of having barely had a chance to recover from their 16 hour bus ride, they thumped the Rovers 33 - 05, thrashed Keele 50 - 00 before dismissing Invaders 29 - 05. The key game of the day for both Kenya and Uganda was against the Invaders as they provide almost all of the players for Kenya's 7's national team squad and the game could be used to asses both teh teams' performance. Invaders won their games against Keele and Rovers and a rematch against Lady Cranes was set up for the final on Saturday morning.

Unfortunately for Lady Cranes, the Invaders came back a much revamped team and a repeat of Friday's results was not destined to happen. The game was scoreless up until the dying seconds of the game when the Invaders broke through and scored a try. The end score was 05 - 00 to the Invaders.

Lady Cranes coach, Herbert Wafula, will announce his final squad of Lady Cranes players this week.

ugrugbychiclet

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

CAR 7's teams participation update

So far 9 teams have confirmed participation in the CAR 7's to be held in Kampala on the 16th June 2007. The teams are Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tunisia and University of Pretoria (South Africa). Uganda Select is on standby in case Cote d' Ivoire and Nigeria do not confirm their participation or if one of the confirmed teams pulls out.


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Lady Cranes to go for Safari 7's this weekend

Lady Cranes under the tutelage of Herbert Wafula and Fred Mudoola are looking good and are raring to go. Intensive fitness sessions with Mudoola have the team faster and fitter than ever before while Wafula has been working on general ball skills and game planning. With just over a week left to the 2nd edition of the CAR 7’s (16th June), Wafula has dropped 4 players and is working with 13 ladies before he makes the final cut to 10. Those dropped were Stella Bakole, Harriet Kayonjo, Stella Kyalikunda and Dorothy Nekesa (all from Thunderbirds).

Wafula is set to travel to Nairobi with the Lady Cranes for the Safari 7’s in Nairobi, Kenya this weekend (9th June). The women’s competition will be a round robin tournament involving Lady Cranes, Kenya 1 and Kenya 2. For this competition, the Ugandan ladies will be missing the services of Frankline Najjumba who is currently in India featuring for the African cricket team (yes, you read right – cricket!) in the women’s Afro – Asia Cricket Cup. Helen Buteme will also not travel with the team due to work commitments.

The travelling squad is, Joan Andika, Sauda Adiru, Winnie Atyang, Rachel Kakaire, Rosenberg Kanyunyuzi, Christine Kizito, Charlotte Mudoola, Mary Nakanyike, Hadija Namuyanja, Asha Ssonko and Ann Tumwine.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Charlotte Mudoola of URRS makes history

Charlotte Mudoola of the Uganda Rugby Referees Society (URRS) made history during the recent Elgon Cup match between Uganda and Kenya. The first leg of the Elgon Cup competiton was held at Kyadondo Rugby Club on the 28th of May. Charlotte became the first woman in Uganda (and possibly Africa) to officiate at a senior men's test match. Charlotte and Charles Mungoma (URRS) were touch judges for the Zambian centre referee, Chris Mwamba (ZRRS).

Uganda has a good record of trying to promote female officials. In 2004, Helen Buteme (URRS) travelled to Harare, Zimbabwe as part of the team of 3 that officiated the IRB U 19 World Cup qualifier match between Zimbabwe and Kenya. Helen and David Kirabira (URRS) were touch judges for Ramsey Olinga (URRS).

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Friday, May 25, 2007

Lady Cranes coach attends coaching course in South Africa

Herbert Wafula, head coach of Uganda's women's 7's team (Lady Cranes) recently attended a 3 day IRB coaching course in South Africa from the 15th to the 17th of May. 20 participants from various countries in Africa attended this course. So far, I don't have the details yet of what transpired during the course or how Wafula performed but I'll post it as soon as I get the information.


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Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Elgon cup curtain raiser off

The planned curtain raiser 15 aside game between Lady Cranes and their Kenyan counterparts has been called off. The Ugandan Rugby Union (URU) had invited the Kenyan women's national squad to play against the Lady Cranes prior to the Elgon Cup game (Uganda vs Kenya) at the Kyadondo Rugby Club on the 26th May. Key players in the Kenyan squad are preparing for the CAR 7's to be held in June and the Kenya Rugby Football Union (KRFU) are not keen on sending a weakened squad for the 15 aside game.
Meanwhile the Lady Cranes 7's players have stepped up training in a bid to win this year's CAR 7's (June 16th and 17th). Monday's and Wednesday's are fitness day's under fitness guru Fred Mudoola while Friday's and Sunday's are for ball skills and game planning under head coach Herbert Wafula. 17 ladies from Black Panthers, Rangers and Thunderbirds Rugby Clubs are competing for the honours to represent Uganda. Rosenberg Kanyunyuzi, Harriet Kayonjo, Dorothy Nekesa and Frankline Najjumba are looking for their first 7's caps. Over the next few weeks the squad will be trimmed to 12 players.
Props/Hookers: Winnie Atyang, Stella Bakole, Rosenberg Kanyunyuzi, Christine Kizito, Stella Kyalikunda, Mary Nakanyike, Dorothy Nekesa, and Ann Tumwine (Thunderbirds).
Scrumhalves: Joan Andika and Charlotte Mudoola (Rangers).
Flyhalves: Harriet Kayonjo (Thunderbirds) and Hadija Namuyanja (Rangers).
Centres/Wingers: Sauda Adiru, Rachel Kakaire, Asha Ssonko (Thunderbirds), Helen Buteme and Frankline Najjumba (Black Panthers).
Team Manager: Jeroline Akubu
Head Coach: Herbert Wafula
Fitness & Nutrition Coach: Fred Mudoola
Team Doctor: Dr. Samuel Guma
Team Physiotherapist: Ambrose Ejalu
This tournament will be used by the competing teams to gauge their chances of qualifying for the Women's 2009 IRB 7's World Cup which will be held in conjunction with the men’s tournament in Dubai. The African qualifiers are expected to be held next year (2008) but the hosting country is yet to be revealed by the Confederation of African Rugby (CAR).

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Anne Sizomu of URRS in Zimbabwe

Anne Sizomu Alan, Chairperson of the Uganda Rugby Referees Society (URRS), is currently in Zimbabwe to attend a referees coaching clinic after which she will coach referees officiating during the annual Cottco Schools Rugby Festival. The week long festival kicked off on Monday morning (21st April) at the Prince Edward High School in Harare and attracted a total of 88 teams: 54 Under 19 sides and 34 Under 16 sides.

Olinga to represent Uganda women's rugby in UK

Ramsey Olinga, Uganda's school's development officer, sets off today (3rd May) for the UK to represent Uganda in a rugby conference on the Development of the Women's Game. Twenty-six unions in the women's game will meet in Lensbury, London, for the Conference over a 3 day period.

The IRB Conference on the Women’s Game presents the opportunity to review the WRWC 2006 from a technical perspective providing an insight as how the game is played compared with 2002 and to identify different styles of play that prevailed during the tournament. As sevens is becoming increasingly popular in the women’s game the role of Rugby Sevens with attention on the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 will also be discussed.

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2007 CAR 7's - Kampala leg

THE Kampala (Uganda) edition of the 2007 CAR 7's (women's tournament) is set to be held from 16th - 17th June.

Lady Cranes (Uganda's women national team) is currently undergoing drills 3 times a week at Kampala Rugby Club under Herbert Wafula. Players from Thunderbrids, Black Panthers and Rangers make up the squad. Among the squad is Winnie Atyang (Thunderbirds and Lady Cranes captain), 2006 URU MVP Rachel Kakaire (Thunderbirds), 2004 and 2005 URU MVP Helen Buteme (Black Panthers) and Hadija Namuyanja (Rangers captain).

2006 Kampala CAR 7's champions South Africa, 2006 Kampala CAR 7's semifinalists Kenya and Tunisia (winners of the 2007 LG CAR 7's held in Tunis, Tunisia) have so far confirmed their participation.

Rwanda, Burundi and Zambia are expected to confirm their participation soon and have been in preparations for the last 2 months. They are set to select their travelling squads at the end of this month (May).

Other teams that have been invited include Nigeria, Morocco, Cote d'Ivoire and Zimbabwe as well as The Arabian Gulf from the Middle East who will be the tournament guests.

With qualifiers for the 2009 IRB 7's World Cup set to be held next year, the African teams will use this tournament to gauge how strong their bid for the (single?) African slot will be.

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Thursday, April 26, 2007

2006 URU women's MVP

The URU annual dinner/awards night was finally held on Tuesday this week (24th April) at the Serena hotel, Kampala. It was great to see the gals (and guys) all dressed up in dinner dresses and the like.

The 2006 URU women's MVP was Rachel Kakaire of Thunderbirds rugby team. She is the second winner of this award. Helen Buteme (Black Panthers) won the first two awards in 2004 and 2005.
Guinness, the new sponsors for Ugandan rugby pledged their support to men's rugby and also committed themselves to women's rugby. Part of the 500 million Uganda shillings sponsorship package from Guinness includes a coach who will pick up from where the legendary South African Chester Williams left off. David Dobela (also South African) is the former U21 men's national team assistant coach and Lady Springboks (South Africa's womens' national team) head coach. He will be involved in developing school and club rugby in Uganda and coaching both the men's and women's 15 aside national teams over a 2 year period.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

2007 kyadondo 7's

The third edition of the Kyadondo Women’s 7’s took place on 14th April at Kyadondo Rugby Club (Kampala, Uganda). The 1st edition was in 2004 and Thunderbirds A (then captained by Helen Buteme) defeated Mwamba Invaders from Kenya 10 -00 to win the the tournament. There was no 2005 tournament so the second edition was in 2006. Kyadondo A (Thunderbirds and Rangers combined) captained by Christine Kizito to beat Brown University from USA 19 -00 in the final to become the 2006 champions.

For this years edition, once again, Thunderbirds and Rangers combined to form Kyadondo A and B. Kyadondo A boasted of 9 capped 7's players (Winnie Atyang, Stella Bakole, Christine Kizito, Mary Nakanyike, Rachel Kakaire, Asha Ssonko, Sauda Adiru, Charlotte Mudoola and Hadijah Namuyanja) while Kyadondo B had three 7's caps (Joan Andika, Ann Tumwine and Harriet Kayonjo). Kampala Rugby Club entered their women's side Black Panthers that boasts of a single 7's cap (Helen Buteme) while Mwamba Invaders (Kenya) with about 5 players capped for 7's also drafted 2 players from Harlequins Kweens to boost their team. The Tag Rugby Development Trust (TDRT) from the UK that was in Uganda to introduce tag rugby to primary schools kids in Jinja formed a team (TDRT Tigers) that had touch rugby players trying out contact rugby for the first time as well as players that play rugby league. Two of the Tigers (Lindsay Anfield and Michelle Land aka Shelly) have represented Great Britain at Rugby League World Cups.

The rugby exhibited on this day was great to watch. The Kenyan girl's led by Angela Olum displayed their trademark aggressive style of play combined with pace on the wing. They drew 19 - 19 with the Tigers, beat panthers 31 - 00 and outclassed Kyadondo B 15 - 00 before losing 10 - 00 to Kyadondo A. Linda Anyango was the tournamen'ts top try scorer with 5 tries, while other key players for the Invaders were Doreen Remuor and Celestine Masinde.

All the Ugandan teams displayed sheer pace that wore out Shelly Land's Tigers. The Tigers' general lack of speed cost them dearly and they did not win any games: they lost by close margins to panthers and Kyadondo B and were thrashed by kyadondo A and drew with mwamba. Although new to rugby union & 7's rugby, the Tiger's put up a good show and their rugby league and touch rugby ball handling skills of the Tigers came in handy and they entertained spectators with their free flowing style of rugby. Hopefully both ugandan and kenyan players learnt a trick or two from their UK counterparts and will use it to spice up our rugby in attack.

Kyadondo B led by former 15 aside captain Lillian Ikulumet played 7's as if they were playing 15 aside rugby - too much contact and no imagination but the sidestepping skills and runs of Joan Andika were a joy to watch. she scored 2 tries in the 15 - 12 win against the Tigers. let's hope to see more of the same in June during the CAR 7's. Other notables in Kyadondo B were Ann Tumwine and Harriet Kayonjo.

Black Panthers, coached and captained by Helen Buteme, were the hardest tackling team in the tournament and showed great improvement from last year but still have a lot of polishing to do in order to catch up with Kyadondo A and Mwamba. With blazing runs and try saving tackles, Helen Buteme stood out as well as new call up for 7's national team training Frankline Najjumba, 15's international prop Fortunate Irankunda and youngsters Loy Mbabazi and Brenda Kayi. Black Panthers lost to Kyadondo A and to the Invaders and beat the Tigers 14 - 10 (Panthers tries and conversions by Helen) and beat Kyadondo B 05 - 00 (try by Frankline).

Kyadondo A (captained by Winnie Atyang) used their pace to run rings around the other teams but also dispalyed a trait common amongst all the teams (except TDRT Tigers) in the tournament; lack of creativity in attack and relying on speed to get to the try line. All the same, they played good rugby and they posted high scores of 40 - 00 against both the Tigers and Panthers, 29 - 0 against Kyadondo B and deserved to beat Mwamba Invaders 10 -00 (tries courtesy of Winnie and Sauda). Rachel Kakaire's goal kicking was amazing to watch (she's on par with her male counterparts) as she put in 12 conversions and scored 4 tries to end up the tournament's top points scorer with a total of 44 points. Sauda Adiru also had 4 tries, while Stella Bakole and Christine Kizito had 3 tries each.

It was great to see Uganda Women's Rugby Association chairperson, Irene Namapii, taking the field for Black panthers against mwamba Invaders. Also good to see were women referees Stella Kyalikunda and Dorothy Nekesa refereeing some of the games.

Kyadondo A finished the tournament top with 12pts. Mwamba Invaders were second with 9pts, Black Panthers third with 8pts, Kyadondo B fourth with 6pts and TDRT Tigers last with 5 pts.

Next women 7's action will be the international CAR 7's in Kampala in June this year, followed by the Kabeberi 7's later on in the year.

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CAR women's 7's in Tunisia

Lady cranes' (uganda's women's national team) season started very early in the year with a trip to Tunisia. Lady cranes were runners up to south africa in the inaugural southern africa CAR 7's championship held in Uganda last year (2006). This was impressive enough to land them (as well as South Africa and semi finalists Kenya) an invite to take part in the northern africa CAR 7's tournament held in Tunisia in March. '

2007 saw a return to international rugby by Helen Buteme who had missed the 2006 international season as well as the timely appointment of Herbert Wafula (former Kenyan AND Ugandan international 7's and 15's player) as the women's 7's coach, a new 7's captain (Winnie Atyang) and a new look Lady cranes 7s squad. The below story is take on what happened by one of the players (Helen Buteme) on the tour.

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LADY CRANES IN TUNISIA

By Helen Buteme

The 2007 women’s rugby season started with some pleasant surprises for the Lady Cranes. First was the appointment of veteran Uganda 7’s player and former Rugby Cranes coach, Herbert Wafula (Herbo), as head coach of the Lady Cranes’ 7’s team. Second was the announcement by the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) that it would sponsor the Lady Cranes to travel to Tunisia to compete in the 4th International Tunisia CAR Women’s 7’s from the 9th and 10th of March in Tunis. Together with his assistant coach, Timothy Mudoola (Timo), Herbo quickly set about the mammoth task polishing our skills and upping our fitness levels in only 3 weeks as well as the equally difficult task of learning everyone’s names. Training done, Herbo selected his squad of 10 players. The touring squad was; Winnie Atyang - Captain (Thunderbirds), Stella Bakole (Thunderbirds), Christine Kizito (Thunderbirds), Charlotte Mudoola (Rangers), Hadijah Namuyanja - Vice Captain (Rangers), Helen Buteme (Black Panthers), Rachel Kakaire (Thunderbirds), Asha Sonko (Thunderbirds), Joan Andika (Rangers) and Sauda Adiru (Thunderbirds). We set off for Tunisia on the 7th March and we were welcomed at the airport by the Tunis Rugby Federation officials. On exiting the airport we were greeted by a blast of cold wind so strong that it was a struggle to stay on our feet and the lightweights were almost blown away. Only the heavyweights (Herbert, Christine and Winnie) walked relatively comfortably to the minivan waiting to take us to the Federation Rugby hostel (Maison de Rugby). We had a mid morning training session on Friday to try and get used to the conditions and had a rough time of it. The weather was dismal (cold, windy and rainy) and the pitch was very wet and muddy. The cold froze our fingers making it hard to catch the ball and when passing the ball the wind carried it in another direction. The tournament kicked off on Friday at 3pm with no improvement in the weather and pitch conditions. Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa, Uganda and our perennial rivals Kenya had been invited to lock horns with Tunisia, Morocco, Arabian Gulf and defending champions French club Montpellier. Unfortunately, South Africa, Kenya, Morocco and Montpellier pulled out leaving only Uganda, Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Arabian Gulf and a Tunisian Select Universities side to compete for top honours. The tournament was played on a round robin basis with each team playing 2 games on each day. Our first game was against Cote d’Ivoire. The West Africans shared our size, build and speed but we were a more experienced bunch and after getting over our initial jitters, we scored 4 tries through Rachel (2 tries), Hadijah Namuyanja (1 try) and Stella (1 try), with a conversion from Rachel. In spite of the 22 – 00 win, it was a scrappy game from us: perhaps because we were still adjusting to the weather or we had not had enough preparation time to gel as a team or simply because we were not focused but either way, as a team, we were not pleased with how we played. Neither was the coach and although happy with the win, Herbo told us that judging from how the other teams had played through the day we had to improve drastically if we wanted a first place finish. The final game of the day was against the University side. With the home crowd advantage and a partisan Tunisian referee, the University side stretched us and at half time the score was still a barren draw. A pep talk from the coach at half time failed to bring us back into the game and we struggled to make any headway. In the dying minutes, Charlotte was given a yellow card reducing us to 6 players. Ironically it was then we woke up and produced the best rugby we had played so far, both in attack and defence. The Tunisians tried to take advantage of their extra player and their scrum half broke away with only empty space between her and the tryline. Winnie and I (Helen) chased down the player and her support and in the ensuing tackles, Winnie turned over the ball and passed to Hadijah who raced away to the tryline. The try was not converted and the game ended then. We were in second place on points’ difference as Tunisia had beaten the Arabian Gulf 05 – 00 and Cote d’Ivoire 36 - 00. A win is a win but neither the team nor the coach was satisfied with our performance: we were yet to stamp our authority in our games. On Saturday, we woke up to a bright sunny morning and the wind had lessened. We took it to be a good omen and our spirits brightened. We met the Arabian Gulf in our first game. However, it seemed as if we were playing an English/European side as ALL the players were from the UK and Europe and none were Arabs. After the Tunisians, they were the bulkiest girls in the tournament. They lacked the speed of the North Africans but they had good ball skills and were an experienced lot. We started the game well and some beautiful inter-backs play had Rachel and Charlotte each scoring a try and a determined run from Winnie earned her a try as well. A conversion from Rachel had us ahead by 17 – 00 at half time. Herbo was a lot happier with our play in attack although there was room for improvement but our tackling had generally become very sloppy. Christine and Rachel were substituted by Asha and Sauda and with fresh legs we hoped to increase our lead and narrow the points’ deficit between Tunisia and us. However, lack of concentration from us allowed the Gulf to completely dominate us in second half and they pinned us in our own half. We totally went to pieces and were unable to complete any attacking moves and we were all guilty of missed tackles. The Gulf took advantage of that to score 2 tries and kept us under pressure for the entire duration. In the last seconds of the game, Christine pushed a fleeing Gulf winger into touch ensuring that we finished the game victorious. Unfortunately for us, Tunisia had beaten the University side 17 - 05 so our 17 – 10 result against the Gulf meant that we were still trailing Tunisia on points’ difference; they had 53 points we had 34. The last game of the day (and tournament), was Tunisia versus Uganda. It was the deciding match of the tournament as we were both unbeaten. We had to win as we had a lower points’ difference; Tunisia only had to force a draw to take the trophy. From watching their earlier games and our previous experience with their University side, we knew that the Tunisians would not be a walkover. We spent the first minutes of the first half pinned in our 22. Hard tackles from everyone and a tight defence kept the aggressive Tunisians off our tryline. Our defence paid off and Stella forced an error at a ruck and we were awarded a penalty. Slick moves between the backs left the Tunisians flatfooted and their defence in disarray. The ball was swung out to a waiting Christine who charged into a hapless Tunisian between her and the tryline. With Rachel down from an earlier tackle, I took the conversion and missed and that miss was to come back and haunt me at the end of the game. For the rest of the half we kept them in their 22 but were unable to translate the pressure into tries. In spite of their bulk the Tunisians were fast and closed down our backs whenever we made breakthroughs. The first half ended with us in the lead but it was too slim a lead for us to feel comfortable. Herbo urged us to keep our focus and warned that the second half would be harder. Asha replaced Stella who was unable to continue playing due to an injury. Unfortunately, in the second half, Rachel was given a yellow card for a high tackle and for the second time in the tournament we were down to 6 players. From the ensuing penalty close to the 5, the ball was swung out to the Tunisian winger who scored a try in the corner. The conversion was missed and we were tied at 05 – 05. With Rachel back on, the Tunisian’s temporary advantage over us was cancelled but the Tunisians had a psychological boost from the try and got back into the game. The Tunisian winger took advantage of a lapse in concentration and broke through down the wing and looked to have a sure try but I cross covered and pushed her into touch ensuring the scores remained even. Unfortunately, at that point, the referee (also Tunisian) ended the game after only 6 minutes of second half play and it was tears and disappointment for Lady Cranes. Due to their better points’ difference, the Tunisians lifted the winner’s trophy while we were the runners up. All in all, it was a great trip for exposure and kudos to URU and the Uganda Women's Rugby Association (UWRA) and CAR for making it possible. Although, we did not come back home empty handed, we are not satisfied with the runners up trophy and under Herbo, Timo, Fred Mudoola (fitness and nutrition coach), Jeroline Akubu (Team manager), Dr. Ambrose (Team doctor) we are already gearing up for the Ugandan CAR 7’s on the 16th – 17th June. The teams likely to take part are Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. We are determined to be the 2007 African 7’s champions so make a date to come and watch us. Funding permitting, we also aim to go for the Mosi 7’s in Zambia (June), the Safari 7’s in Kenya (June) and the Dubai 7’s (November/December). All this is in preparation for the IRB World Cup 7’s in 2009 and we MUST be there to represent Uganda!!! WOMEN’S RUGBY IS ON A ROLL SO PLEASE SUPPORT US IN ANY WAY THAT YOU CAN.

Uganda womén's rugby contact: ugwomensrugby@yahoo.com

girl school's 7's rugby

on 24th march 2007, 2 girls schools (St Katherine's and Lira Integrated) from Lira (northern Uganda) travelled down to Kampala to take on St Lawrence A (Horizon and Creamland campuses) and St Lawrence B (Horizon and Creamland campuses) school teams in a round robin 7's tournament.

The Lira girls were too strong for the kampala girls and both teams thrashed the St Lawrence teams with score margins of 40 points to 0. St lawrence A beat it's B team 20 - 00 and St Katherine's and Lira Integrated played an exciting game between them. however, both teams marked each other well and the game ended in a 0 - 0 draw.

On the 14th april, the 3rd edition of the kyadondo 7's had a school girl's category. only teams from kampala took part. rangers rugby club entered rangers integrated academy (a combination of school girls from various schools in kampala) and st lawrence entered 2 teams of school girls drawn from teh Horizon, Creamland and Kabaka's Lake campuses. rangers integrated academy showed early on it was the team to beat when it walloped St Lawrence B 35 – 00. St Lawrence A similarly thrashed their B team 32 – 00. St Lawrence A and Rangers Integrated Academy were evenly matched and tussled it out to a 05 - 05 draw.

The Lira teams are coached by Andrew Erach, while the St lawrence teams are coached by Drake Muyodi (G4S Pirates) and Helen Buteme (Black Panthers). Rangers Integrated Academy is coached by Hadija Namuyanja (Rangers).

the potential showed by these school girls in both tournaments is awesome and things can only get better for ugandan women's rugby if these girls are nurtured and their talent developed both while they are still in school and after they complete their studies.

pre - season 7's at kyadondo

The pre - season 7's at kyadondo rugby club were held on 11th february 2007. 4 teams took part. thunderbirds a (TBA), thunderbirds b (TBB), rangers (RNG) and black panthers (BP). top seeds were TBA, followed by RNG, TBB and the bottom seeds BP. the teams played each other in a round robin format.

the players were rusty after the long christmas and new years lay off and the rugby was not up to standard. all the same it was a great day out for women's rugby. the results of the games involving TBA were predictable. they thrashed RNG 27 - 00 and BP 36 - 00. TBB narrowly escaped the same fate when they retired early from teh tournament after most of their players picked up extensive injuries in the game agisnt BP. BP surprised everyone by beating TBB 24 - 00 and drawing with RNG 00 - 00.

chics' rugby with a ugandan twist

welcome to the first ever (i believe) blog on women's rugby (exclusively) in uganda (east africa). i'll keep you informed on all the happenings in the 2007 season for schools, club and national team rugby as well as on our women referees. it will be a updated weekly but if there is a lot to post then it will be more often than that.

currently we have 12 school girl teams (8 in northern ugandan and 4 in kampala) actively playing rugby. hopefully we'll see more schools starting up girl's rugby teams this year.

there are 4 club sides: amazons (northern uganda) and thunderbirds, rangers and black panthers (all in kampala).

so far we've had lots of action this year, starting with a pre - season 7's tournament hosted at kyadondo, a trip for lady cranes (uganda women's national side) to tunisia for a 7's tournament, a 7's tournament in kampala for the school girls, and the recently concluded kyadondo 7's.

east african rugby is growing and fast. in 2006, there was a 15aside and 7's tour to Uganda by Brown University (USA). This year we had TDRT Tigers (UK). If there are any teams from whatever part of the world interested in touring Uganda please email the uganda women's rugby association at ugwomensrugby@yahoo.com or myself at ugrugbychiclet@yahoo.co.uk or ugrugbychiclet@gmail.com. i can pass the info on.

ug rugby chiclet