Last week, DBA Africa athletes made their mark at the prestigious Rosslyn Park School 7s, delivering standout performances across two thrilling days of competition. With DBA players featuring in both the U16 KAISSO and U13 IAPS categories, the tournament was a testament to the growing presence of Kenyan youth rugby on the international stage.

U16 KAISSO Battles Hard – Wednesday, 27th March

The tournament kicked off on Wednesday with the U16 KAISSO squad, featuring six DBA boys, stepping onto the pitch ready to take on strong opposition. The team delivered a solid performance, securing two wins and facing two tough losses. However, the moment of the day belonged to Tristan Kwach, a DBA Academy player, who stole the spotlight playing for Millfield School. In a critical match that determined their knockout stage qualification, Tristan delivered under pressure, scoring the winning try and converting it himself, sealing a vital victory. His composed execution in a high-stakes moment was a proud reflection of the talent and preparation nurtured in Kenyan rugby.

U13 IAPS Dominate the Competition – Thursday, 28th March

The following day saw the U13 IAPS category take centre stage, with another DBA-linked player, Owen Kwach, among those putting in strong performances. The young Kenyan squad showcased remarkable skill and determination, playing a relentless five-game streak without a single loss. Their 5-for-5 record at Rosslyn Park was historic, marking the first time a Kenyan U13 team had swept all their matches in the tournament.

Even more impressive was their overall tour performance. Prior to Rosslyn Park, the squad played five warm-up matches against different schools and won every single one. With a flawless 10-out-of-10 record, the team’s trip was nothing short of extraordinary, highlighting the immense potential within Kenya’s youth rugby system. They then went onto play in the Caldicot 10s where they won 3, drew 2 and lost just 1, their only loss of a 16 game UK tour.

A Tournament to Remember

From the determination of the U16 KAISSO squad to the perfect run of the U13 IAPS team, Kenyan players left a lasting impact at Rosslyn Park School 7s. Their performances stood out as examples of the country’s ability to develop high-calibre players capable of excelling on an international stage.

With experiences like these, Kenyan rugby continues to grow, and the lessons learned from this tournament will only drive young players to greater heights in the seasons to come.

The DBA Rugby Academy is held on sundays at Kenton college, for more information about how to get involved, kindly visit our website DBAafrica.com