Kenya Lionesses hoping to impress on IRB series debut
Rugby
By
Rodgers Eshitemi
| May 28, 2016
Kenya Lionesses hope to replicate the men’s impressive performance when they debut in this weekend’s World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series in Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Kenya men's rugby Sevens team won their first IRB series title in Singapore leg.
The Lionesses, who are in Pool A, start their campaign with a clash against Spain today at 1:06pm, then play England at 3:28pm. They will wrap up their preliminary fixtures with a game against the USA at 6:34pm.
Coach Mike Shamiah is confident his side will do well. “We train at the same ground (with men) and use the same gym; we literally walk in their footsteps. It is really inspirational for the girls to have a big brother like this to look up to,” Shamiah told the World Rugby.
“There is excitement in the camp about getting this opportunity to test ourselves against the best rugby-playing nations.
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“A couple of months ago, we won the Bowl in the Hong Kong invitational event and that boosted our confidence and made them want to play more games at this level.
“I want the girls to go out there and enjoy themselves, try and impose our game on the opposition. Our women are big and physical and can be direct, but we’re also able to play a passing game too.”
Shamiah, who led the team in a joint training session with Ireland on Thursday, believes the tournament will bring a perfect training ground for his team ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“The tournament is massive for us in terms of our Olympics preparation because we don’t get many games against quality opposition in a calendar year,” said Shamiah.
Meanwhile, Kenya Sevens kick-off their Amsterdam Sevens tournament campaign today at 12pm with a game against NRW Heeren. They will then face Amstelveen RC at 2pm. Kenya will then lock horns with Dambusters in their final match at 4pm.