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).

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