CAR U19 : Kenya slump to 6th overall

An ill prepared and coachless Kenya U19 finished 6th in Abidjan after
losing 7-5 to Morocco. Earlier Kenya had drawn 3-3 with hosts Cote
d'Ivoire in a classification match.
5th/6th playoff
Morocco 7 Kenya 5

Kenya 7's : Middlesex Sevens Here We Come

The Sevens season in the United Kingdom is set to finish on a high as the Kenyan 7s team confirm they will compete in the Middlesex Charity 7s at Twickenham on Saturday 14th August. Known for their fanatical supporters and their deadly speed the Kenyans are appearing at the Middlesex 7s for only the second time in its 85 year history.

In what is possibly the strongest sixteen team line up the event has ever seen the Kenyans will face a tough challenge for the coveted Russell Cargill Trophy. They will be up against stars from Ben Ryan’s England squad. Kenya 7's have resumed training as they have a busy season ahead of them under coach Benjamin Ayimba who will be shuttling between his recently launched rugby school and the Kenya 7's.

“The Middlesex Sevens provides a great opportunity for us to get high quality game time in the run up to the Commonwealth Games and we’re delighted to be taking part,” said England Head coach Ben Ryan. Ryan will be able to deploy stars from the IRB World Sevens Series like global record points scorer Ben Gollings and match winning all-rounder Isoa Damudamu. England’s Help for Heroes team run out against Scotland, playing under Thistle Trust and Wales’ Amser Justin Time team in honour of Colin Hillman.

Joe Lydon, who coached Wigan when they won the Middlesex 7s and subsequently England and Wales 7s coach will have split loyalties on the day as he is part of the world famous Samurai touring side’s coaching team that also includes Mike Friday, Phil Greening and Josh Lewsey.

Exeter Chiefs, have their first run out at Twickenham as an Aviva Premiership club and are drawn against HFW Wailers who qualified through this summer’s National 7s Series.

The tournament is played as a straight knockout with the first round losers going into a Plate competition. The first round draw is as follows;


Match 1 (12.30) London Irish v Leicester Tigers

Match 2 (12.50) HFW Wailers v Exeter Chiefs

Match 3 (13.10) London Wasps v Newcastle Falcons

Match 4 (13.30) Saracens v England's Help for Heroes

Match 5 (13.50) The British Army v Scotland's Thistle Trust

Match 6 (14.10) Kenya 7s v Leeds Carnegie

Match 7 (14.30) Wales' Amser Justin Time v Harlequins

Match 8 (14.50 White Hart Marauders v ULR Samurai International

Times : EAT

This year there is a £30,000 prize pot where the competition winner takes £17,500, the runners up £7,500 and the Plate winners £5,000. This should motivate Kenya 7's for some real reward.

Kenya 7's - Another Case of Use it Then Lose it?

Last year we were the toast of the event. The headline and the star attractions. We took only 4 players, beefed up with one of the coaches, two Kenyans hanging around in the stands, and won the event. And all expenses paid to boot with lots of prize money. This year I don't even know if the invite was sent, but it was obviously a bigger event. Just looking at the teams and personalities, this is yet another event we have been used to build. Counting down to 2016, and I'm still watching closely, that somebody, somewhere is using our boys.

Commonwealth Games Rugby : Humphrey Kayange Speaks Out

I think for all of the guys it's a great feeling to have Delhi on the horizon and a dream for some of us who missed out on the last Commonwealth Games.

Only a few of the team now were in Manchester and Melbourne and for all of us it's a unique opportunity to go and win a medal for our country, and show even more people how far the game of Rugby Sevens has come on.

The action, the excitement, the pace, it is such a good spectator sport and I'm sure there will be a lot of Kenyan supporters there because they always seem to travel to support us in their hundreds and their thousands, to the point where many people - media and even other players and coaches - talk about our support on tour.

I missed the last Commonwealth Games and for me it's a really big thing. Four years on I'm still here, I think I've developed into a better player and it will also be a great feeling to be there and sharing a real life experience with my brother Collins (Injera).

I think the feelings and memories you get from taking part in something like a Commonwealth Games, they live with you for the rest of your life, so we are both looking forward to it, along with the rest of the squad. One of the things we're most looking forward to is sharing the athlete's village, including with the Kenyan distance runners. Right now within Kenya they still come above us, but we're working hard, trying to get near the top of our game too and maybe we can change that pecking order ù it will take a lot of work though.

Tough trio of pool games

Ever since the pools came out, there has been a real excitement in Kenya. The fans have been talking, the media has been discussing the opportunity for us to go there and win a medal for our country, and for us the preparations are just beginning.

We've obviously got our eyes set on that big pool game against Samoa, the World Series champions, but we'll be taking it one game at a time and not underestimating any of the teams, least of all Papua New Guinea and then our big local derby against Uganda. The rivalry with the Cranes is intense: our 15-a-side team is involved in the Victoria Cup at the moment against Uganda and Zimbabwe, and also the Elgon Cup with just Uganda.

Those test matches came a little soon for us Sevens players after the long season and the coaches had to take the hard decision to rest some of us because it had been quite a while since we had a good rest and we needed that chance to recharge the batteries in time for the Commonwealth Games.

And rest is important in Sevens, because when you put the physical work in, on and away from the pitch, you put it in 100 per cent. Last season we started well but half way through I think fatigue set in and we found it hard to operate at the same level. But by the time we get back into it now I think we'll be fully refreshed ù physically and mentally.

We're happy that everything else is in place, it's just down to us now to get the work done, get the fitness back in and get out there, take our opportunities, represent our country and bring home a medal because that has to be the ultimate goal.

If we do that we can set a new era in Kenyan rugby and help our development to carry on.

CAR U19 : Kenya knocked out by Uganda

Kenya U19 0 Uganda 20

Ill prepared Kenya knocked out by Uganda.

Coach Mitch Ocholla fired before team left for Abidjan.

Development Manager and KRFU Secretary in Zimbabwe for joyride as
Uganda pull out of Victoria Cup.

Weekly Ramble

Finally, out of the shadows and the doldrums. I can stop whinging and whining for now. What we have said on this blog for years is finally bearing fruit. Beginning with the righting of the season, to the emerging bravery of the technical team. I don't know if they read us, but it is heartening to know that we are on the same page, even if of someone else's book. That the powers that be also took their heads out of the sand and listened to reason also played a role, even though forced. I just wonder when people will stop having personal power plays with the fate of a nation? The last step is finding the rightful place of the Impala floodlit in the season calendar without allowing the IRB to dictate this!

With half my mantra having been taken away from me, I was tempted to cut down my blogging but I think my work is not complete. There are still issues that need to be aired and tackled. Brushing them under the carpet will not work. For instance, those who placed hurdles in the path of the fifteens team must be exposed and brought to answer. They are the same ones right now walking with their a$$e$ highest in the air, feeling very proud of the achievements without having had a positive influence in this outcome. That their plans have been scuttled must be painful for them to watch, but c'est la vie.

Before I drop these and lest we forget, let me enumerate them again. Having the season structured according to the international season ensured several things. A progression through the league, the Super Series, a training period for the National team without club interference and finally, a trained and coached team! Not a hurriedly selected one. The omission of the Sevens players showed that indeed, there is depth and talent in the country as opposed to the public submissions of one union director! And the way the new players or extra players blended into the team showed that it is not the individuals, but the system that works. Without going into too much detail.

My remaining mantras - facility sharing, accountability, transparency, focus on the common good. Those I think will keep me busy for at least another year or so. And with help from my co-bloggers, you will have plenty to keep you coming back.

Do have a good week. Congratulations once more to the team for their achievements so far. Next the CAR cup, but let us not place our expectations too high. The National Sevens Circuit also begins in a few weeks and teams are already preparing for this. Let us watch and see.

Victoria Cup: Kenya 23 Zimbabwe 18

Well in Kenya for beating Zimbabwe for the first time in Harare 23-18.

We at Mean Machine salute our Victoria Cup heroes. Grrrr

Weekly Ramble

Quite a bit has happened in the past two weeks. My highlight was the fifteens team retaining the Elgon Cup and capturing the Victoria Cup with a game to spare - despite hardships and other problems that came their way. They should be an example to the sevens team that the team has no owners. Certain players who have been sure starts in the team for the last 6 years or so were shown the door and replaced with fresh/hungry blood, and perhaps the results are there to see. Perhaps the players are not as experienced, or as skilled, but they are certainly more determined.

What I also saw in the last three matches the team has played is a defensive tenacity like never before. I have always been an advocate for strong defence as my belief is the one who stops the other from scoring wins the games, not the one who scores more! A paradox.. methinks not and this was shown by the team.

Lastly, I have always been an advocate for strong clubs. A post by Ruggerbug rubbed some people the wrong way, but what I have realised, and my fellow bloggers as well, is that where there is smoke.. And in some ways we have been vindicated. All we are doing is moving away from the dark corners in dingy bars with the comments and complaints and general apathy to putting the issues out in the open. This increases the pressure for transparency and accountability and mutes the impunity. Call us cowards.. but hey, bloggers saved this country in 2008. Once the press channels are compromised, and an unwritten "hear no evil, see no evil" culture prevails, then we need just the sort of space the blogosphere gives us. That one can easily be made into a Pariah, this we have seen so often.. and all for what? Speaking the truth? That people feel it is their right to hold certain positions because they have sacrificed for the game, who then offers this recognition? What is the process of obtaining recognition? Former greats of the game pay to watch rugby matches! So is it who you drink with? Who you sleep eat with? Let's make this public and get recognition all round. But I digress, as usual.

All in all, the next four weeks or so will be tumultuous to the running of the sport in this country and I wait to see. Do have a good week and I wish the team well in their final Victoria Cup match. Congratulations on attaining the highest ranking ever by any Kenya team and that makes you by default - the greatest Kenyan Rugby team to date!

KENYA RUGBY : THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN FINAL CALL

It is proposed that the following motions be considered and passes by a Special General Meeting of the Kenya Rugby Union on the 28^th of July 2010.

1.      Clause 10 be amended as follows :-

 

2.      Clause 4.1 be amended by:-

(a)     Inserting Clause 4.1.8 (a) between Clauses 4.1.8 and 4.1.9 which Clause shall read as follows:

"Eligible Affiliate" shall have the same meaning ascribed to Club herein save that the Club must have played 75% the league fixtures in the league in which the Club plays during the season.

 

(b)   Inserting Clause 4.1.22 (a) between Clauses 4.1.22 and 4.1.23 which Clause shall read as follows:

"Second Division League" shall mean the league from time to time designated by the Union to be played by Second Division side or the league currently known as the Eric Shirley Shield (ESS).

 

(c)   Inserting Clause 4.1.22 (b) between Clauses 4.1.22 (a) and 4.1.23 which Clause shall read as follows:

"Senior League" shall mean the league from time to time designated by the Union to be played by first team side or the league currently known as the Kenya Cup.

 

(d)   Inserting Clause 4.1.24 between Clauses 4.1.23 and 4.2 which Clause shall read as follows:

"Universities League" shall mean the league from time to time designated by the Union to be played by University sides and any other side so assigned.

 

3.      Clause 10 be amended as follows :-

 

(a)    By deleting Clauses 10.2.1. 10.4, 10.5 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9, 10.10, 10.11, 10.12 and 10.13.

 

(b)   By amending Clause 10.2.2 by deleting the words "Not more than six (6)" and replacing the same with the words "Not more that 12" and by deleting the words "whose nominations shall be received with those of the officers and shall be cleared at an Actual level meeting of the union" and replace with the words "We shall be appointed by eligible affiliate as provided by clause 10.3.1".

 

(c)   By amending Clause 10.2.4 by inserting the words "bearing in mind the peculiar needs of women's rugby and referees." after the word game.

 

(d)   By deleting Clause 10.3 and replacing it with the following clause

 

"Members of the board shall be appointed by Eligible Affiliates as follows:-

 

10.3.1

(a) Eligible Affiliates who have a side in the Senior League shall be entitled to appoint one (1) Director each.

 

(b) Eligible Affiliates who do not have a side in the Senior League but have a side in the Second Division shall together appoint two (2) Directors.

 

(c)Eligible Affiliate who do not have sides either in the Senior League or the Second Division league but have a side in the universal league shall together appoint two (2) Directors.

 

10.3.2

Appointments referred to in clause 10.3.1 shall be made by Eligible Affiliates in writing signed by the respective Chairman and Secretaries.

10.3.3

Directors appointed as herein above shall hold office for a period of two years from the date of their appointment provided however that a person so appointed shall be a Director for a maximum period of four years (2 terms of 2 years).

10.3.4

Within 7 days of the date of each Annual General meeting the Directors shall meet and from amongst their number elect a Chairman, Vice-chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary. In case of a tie in this election the Director appointed by the Eligible Affiliate that won the Senior League in the previous year shall have a second casting vote. The result of this election shall be communicated to each eligible affiliate by the board within 7 days of the election."

10.3.5

Appointments made under clause 10.3.1 (b) and 10.3.1 (c) shall be appointed by consensus of the concerned Eligible Affiliates. If however no consensus is reached, each Eligible Affiliate shall be entitled to nominate one candidate. The Eligible Affiliates shall then vote for the candidate of their choice and the two candidates receiving the most votes shall be deemed as duly appointed by the concerned Eligible Affiliates. In case of a tie the Eligible Affiliate that won the league in which the concerned Eligible Affiliates play shall have a second casting vote.

10.3.6

Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled by the Eligible Affiliate or Eligible Affiliates, as the case may be, in accordance with Clauses 10.3.1, 10.3.2, 10.3.3, 10.3.4 and 10.3.5 hereof.

4.      Clause 12 be amended as follows:-

 

(a)    By deleting Clause 12.2.7 (d).

 

(b)   By deleting Clause 12.5.5.

 

(c)   Clause 12.5 6(a) be amended by deleting the words "subject to the provisions of clause 12.5.5. (a)."

 

(d)   Clause 12.5.6 (b) be amended deleting the words "Officers of the union shall have one (1) vote whether on a show of hand or ballot".

 

 

A.    All Officers and Directors of the Union holding office as at the date of the Special General Meeting be and are hereby removed from office and they cease to hold such offices forthwith.

 

B.     An interim committee comprising of 4 persons appointed by eligible affiliates at the Special General Meeting, in conjunction with the former Officers and Directors of the Union do run the affairs of the Union for a period of 90 days from the date of the Special General Meeting.

 

C.     On the 91^st day after the Special General Meeting the Directors of the Union be appointed by eligible affiliates in accordance with the constitution of the Union.

KENYA RUGBY : THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN 2ND CALL

MEMORANDUM OF REASONS

The game of rugby in Kenya has grown in stature over the last few years. This is as a direct result of the time and resources that rugby clubs have invested in the game. Our game is in a healthy state and is arguably the fastest growing sport in this country. The Kenya Rugby Union has sadly lost touch with the game of rugby. As the principle owners of our game, it is proposed that we take possession of our game and give it the stewardship it deserves. The justification for this radical but necessary action are as follows.

 

·        The Kenya Rugby Union sits at the apex of the game. For sometime now there has been a fundamental disconnect between the game and the Union, which disconnect does not boad well for the game.

 

·        At the level of the board, the Union has lost its rugbycentrism as is manifested by many decisions of the board that are made other than in the best interest of the game.

 

·        This unfortunate state of affairs is attributable to the manner in which board members are chosen. The current system is that a person wishing to be a board member is proposed and seconded by an eligible affiliate of the Union. This person is then subjected to a popularity contest after which the most popular person is declared the winner. We have all witnessed many campaigns by individuals who want to become union officials that have done more harm than good to the game.

 

·        This has lead to people who have no known links with the game and of wanting organizational ability being elected as union officials.

 

·        There is agent need for the owners of the game, being the clubs who play the game, to take possession of what is theirs and rid the game of the aforesaid malady.

 

·        It is proposed that the constitution be amended as follows:-

 

A.    The constitution be amended to remove the provision in clause 10 for the nomination and election of members of the board.

 

B.     The above provision be replaced with a provision that the board be made up of 12 members who will be appointed as follows:-

8 by the Kenya Cup affiliates (one coach)

2 by the eligible ESS affiliates who do not have a Kenya Cup side (read Kisumu and Bungoma)

2 by the eligible University league affiliates who do not have Kenya Cup or ESS sides (read USIU, Mombasa & Daystar)

 

C.     These 12 Directors once appointed will then from amongst themselves elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

 

This structure ensures that the reconstituted Board is owned, representative of and is accountable to clubs who are the true owners of the game.

KENYA RUGBY : THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN 1ST CALL

THE MOTION

It is proposed that the following motions be considered and passes by a Special General Meeting of the Kenya Rugby Union on the 28^th of July 2010.

1.      The constitution of the Kenya Rugby Union be amended as follows:-

A.    Clause 10 be deleted and replaced with the following:-

10.1

 

2.      All Officers and Directors of the Union holding office as at the date of the Special General Meeting be and are hereby removed from office and they cease to hold such offices forthwith.

 

3.      An interim committee comprising of 4 persons appointed by eligible affiliates at the Special General Meeting, in conjunction with the former Officers and Directors of the Union do run the affairs of the Union for a period of 90 days from the date of the Special General Meeting.

 

4.      On the 91^st day after the Special General Meeting the Directors of the Union be appointed by eligible affiliates in accordance with the constitution of the Union. 

Kenya beat Uganda 21-5 in return leg to clinch Victoria and Elgon Cup competition

Kenya 21 Uganda 5

Kenya
Try: Nato Simiyu (2), Namcos Simiyu
Con: Peter Abuoga (2), Morris Kola

Uganda
Try: Benson Onen

Ref: Mark Laurence - South Africa

Kenya IRB ranking - 35

Next game for Kenya against Zimbabwe in Harare 17 July 2010

Kenya Climb Up IRB Rankings

The hard fought 33-25 victory against Uganda over the weekend saw Kenya climb to its highest ranking of 38 since July 2006 when they were ranked 37. That is a major feat considering all the team has undergone in the last couple of weeks. A win by 15 points or more would have seen them climb even higher.

Hope this weekend is another win will see them climb to their highest ever IRB Rankings. Let us see the organisational machinery at work this weekend even if just to dumbfound us sceptics.

Do have a good week.

Kenya win Elgon Cup 1st Leg

Kenya put up a scintillating performance to beat Uganda 33-25 in Kampala.

More later.

Kenya Team to Play Uganda

The team below will face Uganda tomorrow in an Elgon Cup/Victoria Cup match at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds in Kampala.

1. Daniel Kiptoo - Rhinos / Kenya Harlequin FC
2. Edwin Alubaka - Lions / KCB RFC
3. Nzioka Muema - Cheetahs / Impala RFC
4. Anthony Mutai - Rhinos / Kenya Harlequin
5. Michael Aung - Cheetahs / Nondescripts RUFC
6. Andrew Amonde - Lions / KCB RFC
7. Oscar Ouma - Rhinos / Nakuru RFC
8. Lawrence Buyachi - Cheetahs / Impala RFC
9. Moses Kola - Cheetahs / Impala RFC
10. Nato Simiyu - Cheetahs / Impala RFC
11. Victor Sudi - Rhinos / Kenya Harlequin FC
12. Patrice Agunda - Rhinos / Kenya Harlequin FC
13. David Ambunya - Rhinos / Kenya Harlequin FC
14. Peter-Claver Abuoga - Rhinos / Kenya Harlequin FC
15. Innocent Simiyu - Cheetahs / Impala RFC
16. Vincent Ongera - Rhinos / Kenya Harlequin FC
17. Joel Nganga - Rhinos / Kenya Harlequin FC
18. Ronnie Mwenesi - Lions / KCB RFC
19. Kevin Umbuge* - Cheetahs / Impala RFC (making his debut)
20. David Mogere - Rhinos / Kenya Harlequin FC
21. Felix Wanjala* - Sharks / Mean Machine (making his debut)
22. Kelvin Omiyo - Cheetahs / Impala RFC

MANAGEMENT

1. Michael Otieno - Head Coach

2. Edward Kinyany - Assistant Coach

3. Charles Ngovi - Assistant Coach

4. Christopher Makachia - Team Physio

5. Simiyu Wangila - Team Manager

I am concerned about the distinct lack of height in the team and the lack of depth on the bench. We are extremely mobile which is good, but I have doubts about our fitness. I think the first half will be tight but we'll fade away in the second half. Uganda by 10 points is my call.

We wish the team God's speed and journeying mercies.