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.
ugrugbychiclet
