Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
RUGBY continues to grow in Manicaland province following years of disturbances especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With Mutare Sports Club having been the only recognised franchise in Manicaland Province before the COVID-19 era, a lot of interest generated during the past few years has widened the growth potential for the sport code which for a long time was considered an elitist sport.
Manicaland Rugby Board Chairperson, Mos Kaphuma spoke on the strides made in the province starting with the launch of the Senior Rugby League for men and women before the introduction of under-20 rugby tournaments last year.
“Rugby is gradually developing in Manicaland and last year we started under 20 provincial leagues without any sponsorship. We are in our second edition and we managed to get sponsorship covering ambulance, medicals, referees’ fees and price money at the end of the season,” he said.
“We have been trying to spread our net wide so that we help with the development of the game at the under-20 level. We are hoping to increase the number of teams next year. The senior league is starting on May 17 and it has both men and women. In the under-20 league, we have five boys’ teams and four girls teams. Next year we are targeting to increase the teams to 14, meaning we will have a team in every district in the province.
“In the senior’s league, we currently have six teams for men and five teams for women. The senior league starts in May and ends in September. The senior league started in 2023 and in a space of few years we managed to grow the clubs from one to nine,” Kapumha said.
Both the rugby board and teams have a shared belief in the bright prospects of the sport.
“The success stories for Manicaland include youngsters who have been selected into the national team. We have Dean Makweche who made it for the under-20 national team. For the Women’s team, we have Tatenda Morosi and Natalia Nyabinde. With the leagues being active we expect more players from here making it into the national team. We need more corporate support to reach out to the grassroots and support the league games. The Under 20 league starts from January to March while the senior league is scheduled for May to September,” Kapumha said.
“We have three girls representing our country that are Rutendo Morosi, Natalia Nyabinde and Audrey Manase while most boys we groomed have been offered scholarships at different schools and institutions. As the next league is loading, we hope there will be more sponsorship. From May 17, Paramount Garments will be sponsoring the senior team matches,” Coach Knights Rugby Club, Bernice Mugaduwi said.
The grassroots sport development initiatives have also generated hope of stronger national rugby teams supported by a wide player selection base.
