From the Kenya Cup Women’s League, Kenya Lionesses and Kenya Sevens Women’s team, the trajectory of women’s rugby locally can be said to be headed in the right direction.
Although progress has been made in growing women’s rugby, there is still much work to be done. As we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, we reached out to women involved in rugby both locally and internationally, and gathered their opinions on the current state of women’s rugby and their expectations for the future.
Here are some of their views:
Peris Mukoko
From playing, and officiating to management, Peris Mukoko has been at the centre of the growth of the game in both the men’s and women’s frontier. She was among the 12 inspirational women named by Rugby Africa in their Unstoppable program that was aimed to help the growth of the game. She was also named among the Top 40 Women in 2021, by Business Daily.
- On this International women’s Day, what does it mean for women like you who are involved in rugby actively?
It means a lot considering how much women’s rugby has grown in Kenya. 20 years ago we did not have a women’s rugby setup, now we have a fully-fledged national 15s and 7s team, a running league with 8 teams spread out across the country and girls’ rugby picking up in schools. There’s been lots of sacrifice, support and collaboration between amazing women to get to where we are today.
- The growth in Women’s game has taken much bigger steps, how can women come together to help grow the game even better?
We need more women to come on board the administrative side of the game – Directors, managers, club administrators, coaches and referees. We also need to see more transition from playing to administrative roles. Their experience is invaluable in growing the game.
- What are some of the areas you feel need improvement to help women engage more in the game?
We need to create a blueprint that is specifically for women. Traditionally we’ve used the same approach to the men’s game in how we set up and run the game. What is needed is a new playbook that takes into consideration the differences and works to promote the obvious strengths that Kenyan female athletes possess.
- On a personal level, what are some of the activities you have been involved with to help the growth of the game in women?
Last year, working with Child Fund Australia and KRU, I led a two-day workshop to identify the barriers women face getting into the game. The event had a mix of players, administrators, coaches, match officials, journalists and medics from across the country. This year my focus has been on donating equipment to women’s and girls’ teams. I have distributed rugby balls and mouthguards to two girls’ teams in Western and have just received a consignment of playing jerseys for one team. I’ll continue supporting the ladies’ teams this year with much-needed equipment.
- Any last words to fellow women who are involved in the game either actively or passively in this year’s International Women’s Day?
Happy International Women’s Day to all of you wonderful and amazing women in rugby. Your support and contributions are immeasurable and invaluable to where we are and where we want to go. Thank you for all that you do and keep on shining!
Mercy Migingo
Currently, a player at Impala Saracens Women’s team, Mercy runs a rugby program in the slums of Kibera, that seeks to Integrate young kids, including young girls into rugby. Apart from rugby, the program helps in educating young ladies on various skills.
- On this International women’s Day, what does it mean for women like you who are involved in rugby?
As we mark International Women’s Day on March 8th, it is a moment to pause and assess the advancements that women’s sports have made, as well as the accomplishments that have been achieved so far. It’s also an opportunity to evaluate what still needs to be done. Personally, I have had an impact on my community by promoting grassroots rugby and creating coaching opportunities for women’s rugby players, which will enable their long-term sustainability. Furthermore, there are school scholarships available for girls to join secondary schools, which is another avenue for advancement.
- The growth in Women’s game has taken much bigger steps, how can women come together to help grow the game even better?
I believe that when women come together big things happen, it’s high time that Kenya embraces the idea of having female coaches and staff and regional directors as women.
Create a women’s sports office to specialize in the growth of women in sports. Women in all sports should be having conferences to discuss challenges and issues they face freely, hence will learn from each other. In case of big matches football, rugby, or basketball we should be able to come as one and support the team.
The publicity of women in sports is still wanting. We should also create awareness of women’s sports and the calendar of play to help more fans come to support women in sports.
Finally, it’s important to provide women with opportunities to grow not just in sports but also financially. Many sportswomen are unable to work 8-hour jobs due to their demanding training schedules, so it’s important to support them in other ways. This could include offering courses to help them develop their skills and knowledge, as well as providing access to financial resources such as microloans and grants. Women-focused financial institutions like Kenya Women could be invaluable in helping to fund business ideas and other entrepreneurial pursuits of women in sports. By providing support in these areas, we can help ensure the long-term sustainability and success of women in sports, both on and off the field.
- What are some of the areas you feel need improvement to help women engage more in the game?
There isn’t much funding in women’s sports we are forced to have 3-5 gigs to make ends meet if only we had a structure of how we can appreciate our players it will increase the level of interest for women to join sports.
Training period should be prolonged it is unfortunate that during the off-season women go up to 5-6 months hence once they come back it’s like we start from scratch again we also lose a lot of players during the off-season.
Women should be on contracts to give them security. A lot of women players are graduates if it would be possible to help them find jobs it will be awesome.
Women are very tangible its only fair to be treated nicely and with respect.
Male counterparts involved with coaching girls and women should go through a course on how to coach women and what tone to use in communications
Women athletes should have rules that protect them in case of any assault, or mental, physical or vocal violence. Women athletes should also be given opportunities to learn more about their mental, hygiene, sexual and reproductive health.
- On a personal level, what are some of the activities you have been involved with to help the growth of the game in women?
I m in charge of girls playing rugby at the foundation. I am also among the first volunteers that coached rugby in Lan’gata Womens Prison. I have a successful team that has run for three years with a total of 40 girls playing rugby from age 4yrs-17yrs which included helping out starting the impala under-20 girls team.
I am a co-founder of a women’s team where we bring in Muslim vulnerable women to play rugby. Co-founder of a women’s rugby club from informal settlements and also started women’s rugby at Brookhurst International School. 30 girls have registered to play.
- Any last words to fellow women who are involved in the game either actively or passively in this year’s International Women’s Day?
If you have talent, business idea, life skills, advice, financial support, you can help another woman. Never hesitate to help out. God always has a way to reward you, as a woman never stay silent with your challenges you will be shocked that help is just within your circle. Always believe that you are enough, we are women!! We pro-create and we naturally create value anywhere we set foot.
Tabitha Nashipae
Tabitha Nashipae is a sports journalist who uses her platform to narrate stories of women in sports, mostly rugby and athletics. Media plays a big role in airing the growing steps of women’s rugby locally, and Nashipae has been at the centre of it.
- On this International women’s Day, what does it mean for women like you who are involved in rugby actively?
International women’s day, to me, is a time to recognize how far equality in sports has come. Although it is still way off, we have made remarkable steps today
- The growth in Women’s game has taken much bigger steps, how can women come together to help grow the game even better?
Women in sports can come together through workshops, women’s tournaments, and encouraging regional events among women. This will unearth talents and increase the visibility of the women in the game.
- What are some of the areas you feel need improvement to help women engage more in the game?
Insufficient media attention, equality in funds, disbursement
- On a personal level, what are some of the activities you have been involved with to help the growth of the game in women?
As a journalist, I try to highlight women in the sport as much as I can through feature stories on sportswomen and covering their matches. But most women are not used to media coverage, and it becomes difficult because they hardly take pictures of scoresheets and players’ pictures. There is limited information on the teams online, too.
- Any last words to fellow women who are involved in the game either actively or passively in this year’s International Women’s Day?
Let’s carry on. We are not there yet, but we’re en route. The future is promising.
Esther Chamchui-Mwamba
- On this International women’s Day, what does the day mean for women like you who are involved actively in rugby
It means supporting women in sports, as a career or leisure. That runs from as basic as club level
- The growth of the game in women has taken much bigger steps, how can women and other cooperates come together to help grow the game even more
Coming up with mentorship program and introduction of rugby in schools. Sponsoring the women’s rugby and coming up with training programs
- What are some of the areas you feel need improvement to help women engage more in the game
Women’s rugby has been neglected. To date, it is still treated as a male dominated sport. Introducing competitive women’s rugby in schools will help nurture the sports to the young girls. At club level , women’s teams should be given the same credit as men’s teams.
- On a personal level, what are some of the activities you have been involved with to help the growth of the game in women
I have participated in the introduction of under 15 women’s rugby. I have supported my teammates who are less fortunate by providing training gear
- Any last words to fellow women who are involved in the game either actively or passively in this year’s International Women’s Day
Thank you for the courage, passion and dedication. I believe it takes more than physical abilities to play rugby. It takes mental strength and self belief. Happy women’s day
