Shimba Hills optimistic of causing shockwaves in Dar-es-salaam school games

They hung on to the girls' netball final like never before, but lady luck did not smile on them as it has been in previous years.

Despite losing to Obambo of Lake Region for the second year in a row, Shimba Hills Secondary School has gone back to the drawing boards ahead of the East Africa Secondary Schools Championships in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania in August.

Shimba Hills of Kwale County has been dominating girls netball for decades, but lost the title to Obambo in 2013, where they were shocked 45-19 in the final at Mangu High School.

The same fate fell Shimba Hills a fortnight ago, when they lost to Obambo, for the second time in a row, 27-17 in the final at Kisii High School.

"It's true we had our own flaws, but we shall travel to East Africa a different side," Shimba Hills Secondary School netball coach, Philip Onyango, said.

"We lost to Obambo last year in Kenya, but when we went to Uganda for the regional games, we shone brightly than them as we settled for the fifth, while they finished eighth overall," said Onyango.

"I am now focusing on improving last year's performance at the regional games to be on the medal bracket," the experienced tactician added.

"Ugandan teams have been a big block to Kenya's quest to the medal brackets, as they have an added thanks to an advanced level of education," said Onyango.

Onyango, who was in charge of the national netball team during the Africa Youth Games in Botswana said he believes in drafting and developing young talent.

"I have gone back to the drawing boards after the conclusion of the national games in Kisii and am working on a winning side," said Onyango.

The coach says most of his girls were not on top form especially during the final match in Kisii, which he said cost them the title.

"We want to break the Ugandan jinx of dominating netball at the regional games. I have a young team, which has been maturing with each game and we are optimistic of making it to the medal brackets," said Onyango.

He conceded that he was concerned of Uganda teams, but was quick to add that he has prepared his girls for the gigantic task ahead.

"Shimba Hills wants to make history as the first Kenyan school to win the netball title in the regional games, which has remained elusive for decades," said Onyango.