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Contents
In this “new normal”, where we are unable to return to normality, we’ll be working round the clock to bring the game to you. This digital magazine will be available online for FREE and will cover all events that took place in the 2019/20 season and during the pandemic. We will also have exclusive interviews and behind the scenes footage updated on our YouTube channel. Our official Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts will bring you team news, highlights, pre and post-match reaction from all the games played. Our TikTok will serve you with no work, just play. #TheBoyzAreInTown #TheGirlzAreInTown
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Almost There
Sports CS Amina Mohamed rolls out the protocols for sports resumption
9 COVID-19 What you need to know
10 Season Review Eighteen games and counting
18
Young, Wild & Free Young players taking 2020 by storm
22 Meet The Boyz’ Who is Arnold Onzere?
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Life After Rugby Go Green Deliveries
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16 World Rugby RTP Guidelines for safe return to rugby
20 Women’s Rugby Raring to go
31 Academy Tracking the Hurricanes
Message from
MYKE RABAR
CLUB DIRECTORY STAFF Head Coach & Forwards Coach Jason Hector Assistant Coach & Backs Coach Simon Odongo Academy Coach Alex Agallo Team Manager Edward Wekesa Sheila Matilda Logistics Manager Spencer Githinji Strength & Conditioning Coach Larry Nyambok Pysiotherapist Samuel Ochieng Fred Awino
CLUB HONOURS LIST
A message from the Club Chairman
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he world is a different place than it was this time last year. As we all come to terms with the many worries and changes that are facing us I wanted to write and encourage you all to follow the guidelines set by the government.
We will continue to post updates and messages via the club’s website and social media channels to keep you up to date with the sport we all love. While we wait to see how this crisis develops I ask you all to stay safe while keeping fit, and stay in touch with people you hold dear. I would also like to thank all of our country’s medical personnel who have been on the frontline in helping combat the pandemic. The work you are doing is magnificent and the country is entirely grateful to you. Thank you and take care. Myke Rabar Chairman Homeboyz RFC
Enterprise Cup: 2018 Sevens Circuit: 2016, 2018 ESS: 2010, 2011 Mwamba Cup: 2011 Great Rift 10 Aside: 2017, 2018
CONTACTS TikTok: @homeboyzrugby Twitter: @homeboyzrugby YouTube: Homeboyz Rugby Facebook: Homeboyz Rugby Instagram: @homeboyzrugby Email: rugbyhomeboyz@gmail.com Website: www.homeboyzrugby.co.ke
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The Ministry of Sports, Culture, and Arts rolls out guidelines for the resumption of sports in the country. Sports CS Amina Mohamed appointed an advisory committee earlier in June to find ways in which sports would return safely in the country.
ALMOST THERE
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ports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed on Monday, 24th August 2020, unveiled the sport resumption protocol through a virtual meeting attended by sports stakeholders.
She stated that the government will roll out a calendar, program, and guidelines for sports resumption in the country. Her statement read: “I am pleased to engage with you all through this virtual platform to unveil Guidelines and Protocols for Safe Resumption of Sporting Activities in our country. “The Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected and destabilized our sporting lives, and in the process caused unprecedented social, economic, and psychological losses to our athletes, sports enthusiasts, sports organizations, and all other stakeholders.
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No sporting event has taken place in the country since March 2020
“Covid-19 brought the whole sporting world to a standstill worldwide with various major international competitions either put on hold or canceled altogether.” She went on to state that, “In Kenya, the situation and considerations of safety above all else, compelled us to postpone major global and continental sports events: WRC Safari Rally, the World Athletics U-20 Championship, the Continental Tour, the Rugby Barthez Cup and the Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship. The grinding to a halt of all sporting events, though painful, was for a good reason.” The CS had on June 30th this year formed an Advisory Committee, that included Dr. James Ochola Ondiege and Ms. Sylvia Kamau from the rugby side, to draw up protocols required for the resumption of sporting activities in the country. She thanked the Advisory Committee for the hard work they had done in ensuring the guidelines were complete and comprehensive and lauded the Ministry of Health officials who guided the Committee’s engagements.
Collins Shikoli celebrates in a past match. The guidelines, that are available on the Ministry of Sports, Culture, and Heritage Website, proposed rolling out sports in the country in phases. For each category, the transitions are graduated and the sequence will be: RED to STEP 1, AMBER to STEP 2, AMBER to STEP 3, YELLOW to STEP 4, GREEN to STEP 5, and 6 GREEN to STEP 6. Rugby being a high-risk contact sport had the following recommendations: Phase 1:
Medical and Fitness Tests
Phase 2: Individual outdoor field-based or in-door gym conditioning (≤ 6 people socially distanced) Phase 3: Team training • ≤ 10 people on the field with technical drills with
e.g. bags, pads, paddles, shields, shadow sparring permitted. • ≤ 4 people indoors socially distanced. Phase 4:
Domestic competition - no spectators
• Groups of ≤ 30 athletes/staff allowed to train together. • Indoors numbers dependent on the size of indoor space but ≤ 30 socially distanced athletes/staff allowed. Phase 5: Cross border - no spectators • Outdoor activities for larger numbers >30 where
social distancing cannot be easily maintained and multiple short contacts likely. • Indoor activities for >30 but social distancing should be maintained. • May allow a form of competition with restrictions in total numbers of people involved with some events taking place ‘behind closed doors’. Phase 6: No restrictions - spectators present • Full training and full competition resume (without
modification). • Spectators allowed on a restricted basis.
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! MAIN CLUB SPONSOR
PARTNER SUPPLIER
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Typical Symptoms 1. Inability to take a deep breath If your chest becomes tight or you begin to feel as if you cannot breathe deeply enough to fill your lungs with air, that’s a sign to immediately call your doctor experts say.
COVID-19 What you need to know
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes, and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds) or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching your face. Also wear a mask properly if you have to leave your house. The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow) At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, many ongoing clinical trials are evaluating potential treatments. WHO will continue to provide updated information as soon as clinical findings become available.
2. Fever Many people have a core body temperature that is above or below the typical 37 degrees Celsius. Most children and adults, however, will not be considered feverish until their temperature reaches 37.7 degrees Celsius. One of the most common presentations of fever is that your temperature goes up in the late afternoon and early evening. It’s a common way that viruses produce fever. 3. Coughing The cough is bothersome, one that you feel deep in your chest. Around 60% of the people infected with Covid-19 experienced a dry, persistent cough, likely from irritated lung tissue, according to studies from China. As the disease worsens, the lungs begin to fill with fluid, which might change the nature of the cough. 4. Chills and body aches Some may have no chills or body aches at all. Others may experience milder flu-like chills, fatigue, and achy joints and muscles. 5. Fatigue The WHO report found that nearly 40% of the nearly 6,000 people with laboratory-confirmed cases experienced fatigue. 6. Diarrhea and nausea Researchers have now found that SARS-CoV-2 can infect cells in the intestine and multiply there. That’s likely because, like the lungs, the intestinal lining is loaded with ACE2 receptors, the sweet spot where the spokes of the SARS-CoV-2 virus attach and enter the body’s cells. 7. Sore throat, headache, and nasal congestion The early WHO report also found nearly 14% of the almost 6,000 cases of Covid-19 in China had symptoms of headache and sore throat, while almost 5% had nasal congestion.
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2019
SEASON
We take a look at how the Boyz’ did in the 2019/20 season even as the pandemic halted all sporting events in the country since March 2020. #TheBoyzAreInTown 10 Homeboyz Rugby
9/20
REVIEW
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KENYA CUP REVIEW
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t’s been 180 days since Homeboyz Rugby last played a competitive rugby match. By the time the pandemic had crossed our borders, the Boyz had played eighteen Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup matches, winning thirteen, losing two, and bagging one draw. The 2019/20 season kicked off with a 26 -13 home win against Kenya Harlequin. This was followed by three back to back wins against Nakuru 10 - 15, Oilers 25 - 20, and Western Bulls 36 -17. In the fifth league fixture, Homeboyz suffered their first defeat away from home at the hands of KCB. The 27 - 24 final score saw Bush Mwale land a brace as Mohammed Omollo scored a try and kicked over three conversions and a penalty. The Boyz’ then scrapped through a hungry Blak Blad 32 - 22 before whitewashing Kisumu 53 - 3 away from home. Matchday eight saw Kabras travel to Nairobi in brilliant form after back to back wins on the trot. The Boyz’ rose to the challenge and beat the Kakamega based side 20 -17 with tries from Max Kangeri and Abel Matanda and two conversions and penalties from Evin Asena.
TOP SCORERS
LEADING HOMEBOYZ TRY SCORER
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BOB MUHATI
LEADING HOMEBOYZ POINT SCORER
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EVIN ASENA
An 18 -17 loss to Mwamba left a bad taste in the mouth of the Boyz’ as the side went on their 2019 Christmas break. The new year started with a bang as the Boyz’ went on a six-match winning streak beating Impala 32 -22, Nondescript 37 - 11, Harlequin 48 - 3, Nakuru 47 - 5, Oilers 37 - 14, and Western Bulls 56 - 6. The last league match of the season saw Homeboyz welcome KCB to Jamhuri Park in a match that was well attended. Tries from Leonard Mugaisi, Max Kangeri, and Eliphaz Emong, converted by Mohammed Omollo and Evin Asena who also kicked over a penalty, were not enough to see off the Bankers as the match ended in a 22 - 22 draw. This meant Homeboyz qualified for the Kenya Cup play-off where they were to host Oilers.
ZEDEN MARROW
LEADING SEASON 18 APPEARANCES JOSEPH AMALEMBA
Enterprise Cup A 39 - 13 pre-quarterfinal win over Harlequin and a 33 - 11 quarterfinal win over Nondescript gave the Boyz safe passage to the semi-final where they were to play Kabras.
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ESS REVIEW
TOP SCORERS
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LEADING HOMEBOYZ TRY SCORER
ust like the senior side, it has been 180 days since the reserve side last played a competitive rugby match. By the time the pandemic had crossed our borders, the Boyz had played seventeen ESS and Mwamba Cup matches, winning eleven, losing five, and bagging one draw.
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BRUNSON MADIGU
The season kicked off with two hard-fought wins. A 30 -10 home win against Kenya Harlequin and a 17 - 0 away win against Nakuru. The Boyz’ then suffered their first home defeat of the season 14 -9 against Oilers with the only points coming from the boot of Arnold Onzere. Homeboyz were back to winning ways in their fourth match beating Western Bulls 32 - 5 at home with John Ochar and Amon Wamalwa landing two tries each and Brunson Madigu getting in on the action as well. Amon Wamalwa converted two of the tries and Arnold Onzere slotted in a penalty. The “Lions Den” in Ruaraka served the Boyz’ their first away defeat of the season going down 43 - 11 but they responded well whitewashing Blak Blad 50 - 3 and Kisumu 58 - 0 on matchday six and seven respectively.
LEADING HOMEBOYZ POINT SCORER
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ARNOLD ONZERE
Kabras dished the Boyz’ their third defeat of the season on matchday eight, 38 - 13, before closing the year merrily and collecting all points at Railways Club beating Mwamba 27 - 11. 2020 started with a 10 - 10 draw at home against Impala before the Boyz’ went on a three-win streak against Nondescript 32 - 0, Kenya Harlequin 15 - 13 and 24 - 17 against Nakuru. The fourth loss came in game fourteen away in Nakuru against Oilers. Homeboyz were leading 17 - 5 at halftime before going down 22 - 17. The final match of the league was at home against KCB who were on a two-year unbeaten streak. This was a kickers game with Brunson Madigo kicking over two penalties and converting Keith Wasike’s try and Amon Wamalwa slotting in a penalty for a 19 - 17 win. This win meant they booked a home play-off vs Impala.
LEADING SEASON APPEARANCES UYN OMAYA
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Mwamba Cup Homeboyz were knocked out 27 - 17 by Oilers.
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This is made for the rugby community. Players, coaches, support staff, administrators - we are all part of the society, and most of the measures needed to combat COVID-19 start in the community and at home. World Rugby has put together guidelines for the safe return to play in the “new normal” as rugby returns all around the world https://playerwelfare.worldrugby.org/ covid-19 World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “We are all missing the sport that we know and love, and while it is difficult not to be playing or training, advice by the respective governments and authorities must be adhered to. “World Rugby, in full partnership with unions and players, has been busy behind the scenes ensuring that everything is in place for a safe and speedy return to the sport when it is appropriate to do so. This includes delivering best-practice coaching, refereeing and conditioning webinars, resources and apps, and, of course, a phased roadmap for the sport’s return to training and playing.” World Rugby Chief Medical Officer and guideline co-author Dr Éanna Falvey added: “We have been working in full collaboration with unions, regions, competitions
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and players in preparing a set of guidelines that are WHO compliant in a rugby context. They outline all the necessary considerations and steps for players, coaches, clubs, unions, and competitions and will be updated regularly as the advice and environment evolve. The guidelines were authored by Falvey, Dr. Martin Raftery (World Rugby), Prav Mathema (Welsh Rugby Union), Prof Mary Horgan (consultant physician of infectious diseases), and supported by data collected through regional COVID-19 steering group chairs who consulted with World Rugby’s 124 national member unions.
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BOB MUHATI
The 100 kg Butula HighSchool and Mount Kenya University alumnus has been a thorn to many team’s defense systems this season. Having been scouted in 2018, “Big Bob” joined the club in the 2018/2019 season and made his presence felt as he turned up for the reserve side. He earned his promotion to the senior team this season and the rest as they say is history. Chalking up ten tries in seventeen league and cup games, he is surely one to watch for the future.
YOUNG, WI ABEL MATANDA If scrummaging had a face then Abel Matanda would be its proud ambassador. The Bungoma High School alumnus has been key in the “boiler room” as it’s popularly known among the forwards. His senior team debut came in 2018 but he’s been more consistent this season growing in leaps and bounds. He has scored two tries this season with one contributing to the famous win over Kabras earlier this season.
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BRUNSON M
Arguably the young player of the season, t club in 2019 after finishing his GCSE exam legs of the National Sevens Series a feat t sidering the wealth of talent at the club. In er’s been involved in seventeen league an tries, nine conversions, and three penaltie end of the season having earned a schola
Onzie, as he is popularly known among his peers, is a product of the club’s academy system. The teenager has already earned his senior team debut and is currently a member of the Kenya Chipu Under 20 squad preparing for the Barthes Cup. He’s featured in 15 league and cup games scoring two tries, nine penalties, fourteen conversions, and one dropkick.
ARNOLD ONZERE
ILD & FREE
MADIGU
the Laiser Hill alumnus joined the ms. He featured in five of the six that only a few can manage conn the 15’s code, the elusive playnd cup matches scoring fourteen es. He will leave the club at the arship at Strathmore University.
PATRICK WAINAINA A candidate at Muvuti High School who plays with the experience of a decorated general. Nicknamed “Wa9”, because of the position he plays (scrum-half), he is always vocal and enjoys putting in the extra yards in training. Having learned his craft at the Northern Suburbs academy, the inquisitive yet cunning teenager continues to horn his skills and knowledge at the Homeboyz Academy team, Hurricanes.
REINGHARD NGAIRA Having graduated from Kakamega High School in 2019, “Jamu” was among the group of High School graduates that attended the club’s trials late last year. Having impressed the coaching staff, he was drafted to the reserve side meaning he could play in the ESS or Kenya Cup league. The fearless ball carrier, emulating other Kakamega alumni in the club, has since gone on to earn his senior team debut featuring in ten league and cup games and scoring once in the process.
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WOMEN
RARING TO GO
#TheGirlzAreInTown 20 Homeboyz Rugby
Pic credit: KRU
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omen’s Rugby has been on the rise in the country with the latest KRU report stating that there are 16 registered teams in the 2019/20 season as compared to 12 in the previous season. The attendance has been impressive as well with some tournaments having more fans than some of the men’s games.
The Girlz’ have been busy in the 2019/20 season playing in three legs of the Kenya Rugby Women’s Festival before COVID-19 halted all activities. Just before the pandemic hit, eight players had been called up to the Kenya Lionesses 15’s national team to help guide the team to their first Women’s World Cup to be held in Japan in 2021. Five Girlz’ had also been included in the Kenya Lionesses 7’s national team that was to fight for a place in the 2020/21 HSBC Women’s Series. Here is a brief of how this all unfolded. Women’s Festival
Leg One: The first leg was hosted by Kenyatta University where the Girlz were pooled against Blad Babes and Mwamba in Pool C. They started their campaign with a 55 - 0 win over the Babes. Mwamba proved too good for the Girlz’ as they went down 10 - 0. The cup semi, rather oddly saw them play Mwamba again and despite scoring two tries, Mwamba took the day winning 15 - 10 to advance to the final. The loss meant the Girlz’ had to face Nakuru for the 3rd place playoff which they won 12 - 7 and finished 3rd overall. Leg Two: KCB Ruaraka Sports Club hosted the second leg of the festival. The Girlz’ were in Pool A alongside Mwamba, Northern Suburbs, Nakuru, and Impala. They started the day with a 12 - 12 draw against Northern Suburbs before going down to Mwamba 10 - 5. The Girlz then beat Nakuru in game three 15 - 0 before drawing the last match 5 5 against Impala. They finished third overall with 8 points to show for it. Leg Three: The third tournament coincided with International Women’s Day and was held at the Impala grounds where and the Girlz’ kicked off the
day against the hosts, Mwamba. Linet Moraa and Janet Owino scored the only tries of the match that were both converted by Janet Owino. Game two saw Homeboyz lock horns with Nakuru. Linet Moraa, Irene Otieno, and Millicent Opalla each crossed over the try line once as Janet Owino only kicked over one conversion for a 17 - 0 win. The final match of the day was against the resilient Impala Women’s team and this was to be the decider of who’ll win the cup. Dorcas Sinaida scored a try that was converted by Janet Owino but this was not enough to win the match as the referee ended the match with the scoreboard reading 7 - 7. Impala lifted the cup as they had a better aggregate than the Girlz’ who had to settle for second place. By the time the pandemic hit, Janet Okello led the Homeboyz top scorers log with four tries and eleven conversions. Dorcas Sinaida had landed five tries and two conversions. Linet Moraa had scored five tries, Cynthia Camilla three, Enid Ouma two, with Leah Njogu, Veronica Oile, Peris Kagendo, Eunice Momanyi, Sophie Aiyetta, Irene Otieno, and Millicent Opalla with one try each. Kenya Lionesses 7’s
Leah Njogu, Cynthia Camilla, Enid Ouma, Linet Moraa, and Sheila Chajira (VC) had been called up to the national team preparing for the Olympic qualification and the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series. Despite losing 15 - 14 to South Africa in the final of the Africa Women’s Sevens, the Lionesses qualified for the Olympics owing to the fact that SA doesn’t deem it fit to qualify via the Africa Cup route. The 2020 World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series that was to be held in Stellenbosch, South Africa was canceled due to COVID-19. Kenya Lionesses 15’s
The Lionesses included Emmaculate Owino, Leah Njogu, Millicent Opalla, Mercy Migongo, Irene Otieno, Sheila Chajira, Janet Owino, and Enid Ouma in their plans as they started their 15’s campaign claiming the Elgon Cup in a 79 - 18 aggregate win over Uganda. They then proceeded to the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup that served as a World Cup qualifier posting a 35 - 5 win over Madagascar, 37 - 5 over Uganda before going down 39 - 0 against South Africa. Next up, a cross-regional repechage playoff against Colombia. Homeboyz Rugby 21
INTERVIEW
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rnold Onzere is a familiar face among most Homeboyz fans. Having been part of the club’s academy since 2015, while still in Primary School, he has grown to wear and play for the famous blue and yellow shirt he always dreamed of. He sat down with Homeboyz Rugby magazine to share more about himself and his journey to where he is right now.
of whom had already played for the national team. But that all ended when I stepped onto the pitch and raised the tempo of the game, contributing to three tries that saw us win the tie.”
Why Homeboyz Rugby? “Homeboyz Rugby had young coaches and players which made it easier to relate,” said Onzere adding that “the club had always given youth a chance and had some of the best young talents in the country.” Do you remember the first game you played for the club? “Yes, I remember it very well. I was 16 and we were playing Impala in the quarterfinal. I came on and contributed to the win by setting up a try. It was a wonderful feeling and encouraging moment in my life so that automatically drove me to want more.” What about your senior team debut? [Pausing] “That was in 2019 during the Impala Floodlit Tournament 3rd place playoff vs Kenya Harlequin. Being young and making the squad as a cover for scrum-half or fly-half made me tense. The chilly weather at Impala wasn’t helping either. What made me nervous was the fact that when called upon, I was supposed to control the game and to add to it, this was the first match I was playing with the senior players some
What attracted you to the oval shaped ball? “What drove me to rugby wasn’t actually anything about the game,” as he chuckles “I was ten years old then and I remember being enticed to attend rugby sessions. We were promised kits and boots if we attended the sessions. So my plan was to get the boots and go back to playing soccer. But the more I attended the sessions, the more I found myself falling in love with the game.” He remembers vividly missing one class of the now-banned Saturday classes just to catch a match so that he could see a skill or two that he would then go try at age-grade training the next day. He paid for it though on Monday as he was punished for it.
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Talk us through your love story with rugby? “I played age-grade rugby from 2011 to 2014 when I graduated from primary school. In 2015, a family friend took me to watch a Homeboyz vs Kenya Harlequin match. Homeboyz won the match and that solidified my decision to join the club.” He adds, “I joined the academy which had 50 players mostly being high school graduates. After a year, most had already been promoted to the club’s reserve side and featured regularly in the ESS competition. I was only fourteen then and the coaches kept putting me aside when sessions got intense. I then joined Olympic High School where I studied for a year before moving to Moi High School Sirgoi as they offered me a full scholarship. There we went all the way to the East Africa School games having been the runners up in the Nationals. I then got a full scholarship to join Laiser Hill Academy in 2017 and there we won the East Africa Schools game cup back to back in 2017 and 2018.”
“I graduated in 2018 and a week later I was in the club’s lineup as a fullback. I was later restored to my customary fly half position. We went on to reach the ESS final losing out to KCB.” 24 Homeboyz Rugby
That same season I played against some of Kenya’s greatest players and triumphed
“That same season I played against some of Kenya’s greatest players and triumphed.” he laments naming Fabian Olando, Frank Ndong, and George Odipo as a few. He adds, “These are people I only watched on TV playing for the national team when I was still a kid.” Speaking of the national team, when did your first call up come? “That was in 2018 for Kenya Under 20, Chipu. I had just turned seventeen then so I missed out because of my age but I wasn’t stoked knowing that I had no experience compared to the rest. So I got back to the club and worked harder and in 2020 both Kenya Under 20 and Kenya Under 18 7’s team came calling. I was named captain of the Under 18 7’s team that was meant to travel to Namibia but the trip did not materialize. I was also in the final Chipu draft squad that was to represent Kenya in the Barthes Cup that was to be played in Kenya but COVID-19 happened.” Looking back at your career, what match brings joy when you remember it? [Lights Up] “ESS playoffs in 2018 takes the day. We beat an experienced Kenya Harlequin 38 - 0.” Who is the toughest player you’ve ever played against? “Has to be Eliphaz Emong and Johnston Mung’au. Emong loved an 8th man pick and if he managed to get rid of the back rows I knew I was next.” he continues, “If not there was Mung’au who is a fast and solid runner. Those two really made me work a lot on my tackling. Mostly my tackle technique.”
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Your hairstyle? “I love a fade on the side with shaggy hair on top. I feel it makes me look good. And when I look good I feel good. And when I feel good, I play well.” What’s your pre-match snack? “I love chapati. So I take it with a glass of warm milk because most grounds are dusty and mostly when we are playing away in Nakuru.” Advice to young players? “Stay focused and work on your dream. Trust the system and most importantly, believe in your self.” Arnold Onzere is the current top point scorer for the reserve side and a vice-captain in the team’s leadership group. 26 Homeboyz Rugby
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2019/20 squad
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ACADEMY #TheBoyzAreInTown
TRACKING THE HURRICANES
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he club’s academy side, also known as The Hurricanes, has been involved in the KRU Nairobi Nationwide Club league in the 2019/20 season playing a total of ten matches and reaching the league playoff.
With the majority of its players being drawn from the trials held in mid-2019, the Hurricanes squad was relatively young. A few joined later in December after clearing High School to bolster the side. The team, that was under the leadership of Charisma Meite and Martin Nyamoi, started the season away to the relegated Ngong RFC in Kajiado County. A try by Lamech Ouma and eight points from Kennedy Okello saw the Canes hang on to win 13 - 11 having led 3 - 13 at the break.
Hurricanes were awarded a walkover against Stingers RFC who were a no show. The first home match saw the Canes host Masaku at the Jamhuri Park. The visitors were first on the scoreboard slotting in two penalties. Kennedy Okello then replied with three of his own for a 9 - 6 half time lead. The second half saw the floodgates open as Abel “Dema” Malechi crossed over for a try that was converted by Kennedy Okello. Cliff Sungu had his name on the score sheet scoring a try that Okello failed to convert. Altom Mohammed was sent to the bin for continuous infringement but the visitors couldn’t captitalize on the advantage. Instead, it was Charisma Meite who danced his way to the try box for the third try of the match. Masaku kicked over the last points of the match to bring the fulltime score to 26 - 9. Homeboyz Rugby 31
The fourth match was closely contested as the Hurricanes made the short trip to face Kenya Harlequins’ academy side, Vandals, at the RFUEA ground. The Canes won 12 - 10 with a Philip Odhiambo and Mulroney Amunabi converted try enough to carry the day. Kitengela Primary School hosted the fifth league match against Stormers RFC. Newton Wasike scored a brace but Kennedy Okello could not add the extras. Tom Ojango then joined the party for the third try of the match as Okello kicked over the conversion. Emmanuel Kioko crossed over for the last point of the half for a 22 - 0 halftime lead. The second half didn’t have as much action as the first but the Stormers scored a try for a respectable 22 - 5 final score.
points for an 18 - 6 final score. Kevin Wambugu was the center referee for the eighth league match that saw the Cane’s face Impala’s academy side, Swara. The hosts were too fast for the Hurricanes scoring a converted try in each half for a 14 - 0 fulltime score. After three losses on the trot, the Hurricanes needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. This came albeit in different circumstances as Comras failed to honor the 3:00 p.m. date at Jamhuri Park forcing Brian Ndung’u to award the Canes a walkover. The playoffs came calling and a date was set against Mount Kenya University, Nairobi Campus. The 23 players chosen for this task were; 15. H. Bakari, 14. M. Kanzika, 13. W. Mwanji, 12. R. Wangila, 11. P. Amwani, 10. K. Okello, 9. K. Andayi, 8. W. Mubarak, 7. C. Meite, 6. P. Odhiambo, 5. A. Mutachi, 4. M. Nyamoi, 3. C. Sungu, 2. E. Kioko, 1. C. Omulakho 16. I. Otieno, 17. A. Malechi, 18. I. Wekesa, 19. D. Kerosi, 20. S. Japasso, 21. N. Wasike, 22. K. Olilo, 23. L. Ouma. A Mike Kanzika try and a Kennedy Okello penalty goal was all the Canes’ could amass against MKU who advanced to the semis with a 14 - 8 win.
The Unbeaten Shamas stood on the path of the Hurricanes for matchday six. The hosts run in three tries, one conversion, and a penalty for a first-half lead. The Canes were on the receiving end in the second half as Shamas added two more converted tries and two penalties. Kennedy Okello scored the only points for the Hurricanes by slotting in a penalty as Shamas shushed the Canes 37 - 3. Hurricanes were back at home for match day seven playing hosts to the Dagoretti Bulldogs. Kennedy Okello kicked over a dropkick to open the scoring and was later sin-binned for illegal play. Newton Wasike was in hand to take over kicking duties though as he slotted a penalty home for a 6 - 0 halftime lead. The Bulldogs were off their leash in the second half scoring eighteen unanswered 32 Homeboyz Rugby
Kennedy Okello ended the season with seven penalties, four conversions, and one dropkick. Newton Wasike scored two tries and a penalty. Lamech Ouma, Abel Malechi, Cliff Sungu, Charisma Meite, Philip Odhiambo, Mulroney Amunabi, Tom Ojango, Emmanuel Kioko, and Mike Kanzika had one try each.
LIFE AFTER RUGBY
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lijah Ng’ang’a, founder of Go Green Deliveries, is a man who never settles for less. We caught up with the Ofafa Jericho High School alumnus to tell us more about his company. HUMBLE BEGINNINGS “I started delivering embroidered items for my mother as a side hustle late last year. The business picked up later on due to the COVID-19 pandemic and I started making more trips than before as there was more demand for face masks.” The cycling enthusiast and fitness junkie who always rode his bike to and from training was now earning more from his hobby. Lee, as he is fondly known around the club, is the reserve side overall captain who led the team to their first ESS final in ten years last season. So leading and taking risks are things he is well accustomed to.
AN IDEA IS BORN “I started thinking of how this can become a fulltime business and its benefits since it helps the environment by cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions. “So, together with a group of riders, we started picking and dropping off packages that were along our cycling trail. The more deliveries we made the more popular we became in the community and this in turn attracted more reliable riders to join our team.”
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The company has since expanded its networks and attracted more partnerships with their mantra being, an eco-friendly, speed dial delivery company. STATEMENT “Our mission is to strive and achieve a greater level of expertise and to develop long-lasting relationships with our clients, through the power of our highly skilled team, with emphasis on quality of services and the reassurance of reliability.” said Ng’ang’a. “ The company’s vision is to create awareness about cycling in Kenya to improve and enhance zero-carbon print for a cleaner and healthier environment.” He has used the lockdown period to keep fit and grow his business beyond the City. He plans to cycle to Narok with a group of riders on 3rd October 2020.
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