Lionesses coach eyes improved performance

2016 Rio Olympics - Rugby - Preliminary - Women's Pool B New Zealand v Kenya - Deodoro Stadium - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 06/08/2016. Huriana Manuel (NZL) of New Zealand runs to score. REUTERS/Phil Noble (BRAZIL - Tags: SPORT OLYMPICS SPORT RUGBY)

Kenya Lionesses coach Kevin Wambua is looking forward to improved performance when the national team returns to the Dubai Sevens, the opening leg of the 2016/17 World Rugby Sevens Series season on December 1-3.

Having won the International Invitational Women’s category bowl title with a 12-10 win over the West Coast Vikings Ladies, last year, Wambua, who was recently confirmed as the Lionesses coach, called for consistency from his players.

The side, who were Africa’s sole representatives in the women’s rugby competition at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro where they finished eleventh, finished second at the recent Africa Cup Women’s Sevens in Zimbabwe, falling 17-21 to South Africa in the championship match.

“We want to generate continuity from our last assignment in Harare where we finished second. Dubai has been competitive over the years. We have seen most of the non-core world teams use it as a platform to develop their squads and catch World Rugby’s eye for an invitation to a leg of the Women’s Sevens World Series,” said Wambua.

“ It will be important for us to get our patterns right and post some good results to catch the attention of World Rugby too.

“My long-term plan is to develop as many players as I can and ensure quality in terms of players and structure of play, and of course also try to get our girls into the 2018 Women’s Sevens World Series via the qualification tournament as well as the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2018. It would be a big plus if we can qualify and post some good results there.”

The team resumed training this week with Wambua handing the trio of Ashley Awuor, Sarah Oluche and Ann Njeri their maiden national team call ups.

“The plan, coming back from the month’s break is to get our players back in the right shape in terms of fitness and conditioning as well as incorporate skillset development such as passing, tackling and contact,” added the Mwamba coach.

“They (Awour,Oluche and Njeri) are exciting players with potential and are part and parcel of our development plans. We will have our Conditioning Coach work with them specifically to improve their strength as I fine-tune their skills and game understanding.”