Shibli to debut in KRU women’s 15s tournament

Nakuru's Loren Akoth (left) battles for the ball with Impala RFC player in a past match. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Preparations are in top gear ahead of the Kenya Rugby Union’s (KRU) women 15s franchise tournament featuring four teams at the RFUEA Grounds on Sunday.

Save for Shibli, who will be making their debut, the rest of the teams have taken part in the previous KRU women’s tournaments (albeit under different names). 

Shibli is the women’s U20 team that is being built to serve as a feeder team for the senior national women’s 15s team as Kenya targets qualifying for the next Rugby World Cup.

According KRU, Shibli will feature 27 players recently selected by the union’s Regional Development Officers across the country.

Coast, Central and Nyanza regions have produced three players each while Nairobi, Western and Rift Valley regions have produced six players each.

The selection of the players was spearheaded by KRU’s Development Coordinator Ronald Okoth and former Shujaa and Chipu coach Paul Murunga.

For Ndovu, Kifaru and Nyati this tournament is set to help them prepare for the upcoming 15s franchise league scheduled to kick off later this year.

Ndovu comprises of players from Nakuru, Kisumu Dolphins, Bomet University, UOE and Western Spear. Players from Impala, Ruckit RFC, Twiga RPS, Kitengela Sharks and Silver Springs have come together to form the Nyati franchise while Kifaru franchise consists of players from Northern Suburbs, Mwamba, Shamas and Bladbabes.