Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
RUGBY enthusiasts are in for a thrilling spectacle on Saturday as eight Under-20 teams clash at Mutare Boys High grounds in a potentially explosive and anticipated competition.
The matches kick off at 11am, marking the commencement of the Under-20 League.
The boys’ teams competing include hosts and defending champions, Mutare Boys High, Chinyauhwera, Mutare Sports Club, Old Crestonians, Spartans, Eastern Giants, Phoenix, and Rusape Wolves.
Additionally, a team from Masvingo province, Masvingo Select, is likely to participate.
This year’s competition has seen a significant increase in participation, with eight teams competing, compared to only five teams in 2024.
Manicaland Rugby Board (MRB) chairperson Mos Kapumha confirmed the matches and also the appointment of a new director of rugby at MRB.
“In 2025 we will continue with grassroots development to help with our rugby development at various stages. We have also appointed Blessing Mwale as the director of rugby to make sure our goals are managed, monitored, measured and put systems in place. Mwale was appointed by the board as the director of rugby and corporate affairs for the next four years.
“He comes with healthy curriculum vitae, having played rugby for Zimbabwe in his teens while at Hillcrest, and holds a World Rugby Level Two coaching certificate. He was head coach for Manicaland senior 7s team and worked in the hospitality industry for years for Zimbabwe Cricket and currently working with schools. He comes with a rich, diverse background of corporate, sport, and non-corporate industry,” said Kapumha.
He said Mwale has hit the ground running by engaging corporates to secure partnerships and sponsorship.
Kapumha said the development of talent from an early age has multiple benefits not only to the game of rugby in the country, but on individual players and their families.
“This league is a critical pillar of the age group development programme. We have started seeing the results of this league. Seven of our boys made it into the Zimbabwe Under 20 national team camp. The highest number ever from our province.
“This should motivate more players to want to do better so that they end up in the national teams. The benefits of having our kids play sport especially rugby, is to keep them fit and healthy, interested and engaged in a team sport which anchors itself on discipline, integrity, solidarity, passion and respect.
“As they are engage in sport, they are less exposed to drug and substance abuse. These are some of the benefits, and we urge parents and guardians to help their kids join a club or academy where they get to spend time developing their skills for the future. Rugby is an employment opportunity going forward,” he said.
