Kenya U18 Rugby team finalizes squad of 60 players after national trials

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Kenya U18 Rugby team finalizes squad of 60 players after national trials

Following the conclusion of the National U18 rugby trials held at the RFUEA Grounds on September 8, 2024, the coaching team has finalized the selection of the top 60 players. These athletes will form the core of the Kenya U18 team for 2024.

Coach Paul Odera shared his thoughts on the journey to selecting the final squad:
“It has been an intense and rewarding process getting the top 60 players from across the country. The effort spanned over seven months, with contributions from Regional Development Officers, teachers, guardians, and parents. I am sincerely grateful to everyone who made this possible.”

The initial list comprised 480 players, with 60 players selected from each of the eight regions in Kenya, based on performances in regional games and international school tournaments. Coaching clinics and trials were conducted by the head coach in seven regions, alongside international schools, over two months from May to June. This process narrowed the number down to 240 players, who were then selected for a regional competition.

Coach Odera explained, “After the regional competition held at RFUEA Grounds on September 8, we selected 60 players—four players for each position—to be part of the 2024 U18 squad. The squad will be further reduced to 30 players for a tour in 2025.”

To be eligible for selection, players needed to meet the following criteria:

  • Submit documents for verification.
  • Be born on or after July 31, 2006.
  • Half of the selected players must be eligible for the U18 team in 2025.

The team will also provide mental wellness support facilitated by Rowena Tirop from the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU). A virtual group session for teachers, parents, guardians, and players who did not make the team will take place on Monday, September 30.

Below is the final list of the selected 60 players:

Playing NumberPositionPlayer NameInstitution
1Loosehead PropDerryl Johnnie MwangaJeffreys School
1Loosehead PropFortune Jiveri SainaTambach High School
1Loosehead PropPeter MbuguaMangu High School
1Loosehead PropVictor Kipkoech ChumbaSt. Patrick’s Iten
2HookerMonda TsuyoshiSt. Christophers’
2HookerPeter Mutahi NjugunaAll Saints Embu High School
2HookerMax Oliver HaysomHillcrest
2HookerWayne Rooney OtienoAlliance High School
3Tighthead PropSpencer FinleyRift Valley Academy
3Tighthead PropJibril LugongoKoyonzo High School
3Tighthead PropInnocent IndecheSt. Mary’s Yala
3Tighthead PropGilbert MagakMaseno School
4LockJaden Paul OyierMaseno School
4LockArnold OkemwaAlliance High School
4LockDerrick Osano OkemwaMangu High School
4LockPeter DelvilleSt. Patrick’s Iten
5LockLouis KipkorirLenana School
5LockElkanah MuyagaVihiga High School
5LockDaniel MusyokaKitui High School
5LockJoshua Jotham Warui MuhamedDawamu School
6Blindside FlankerBenard Anyonje OmukhuluChavakali School
6Blindside FlankerNigel Aggrey OkokoMoi Forces Academy
6Blindside FlankerEugine Kiplagat KibiiSt. Patrick’s Iten
6Blindside FlankerClide KimayaVihiga High School
7Openside FlankerPaul Madior AjangAll Saints Embu High School
7Openside FlankerBull Ball BullAll Saints Embu High School
7Openside FlankerPeter WanyoikeSenende High School
7Openside FlankerShapan Tyron Ochieng OluochKakamega School
8Number 8Ashraf Juma KwambalaMalindi High School
8Number 8Dennis Bajila BashoraMarafa Boys
8Number 8Sam Imani WalaRosslyn
8Number 8Strafford NyambaneKisii High School
9Scrum HalfDaniel WafulaButula High School
9Scrum HalfEzekiel Ray ApidaKabianga High School
9Scrum HalfRoman GetontoAlliance High School
9Scrum HalfRohan Neel ShahInternational School of Kenya (ISK)
10Fly HalfVictor WawireVihiga High School
10Fly HalfJeff Andigo OtienoOfafa Jericho
10Fly HalfJosephat KaranjaAll Saints Embu High School
10Fly HalfJunior KatamaBarani Secondary School
11Left WingMelvin MweresaVihiga High School
11Left WingAbel AguraCardinal Otunga
11Left WingDerrick Mutisya MakoveKitondo School
11Left WingAndrew Mwangi WachiraInternational School of Kenya (ISK)
12Inside CentreOelofse Jean PierreBraeburn Garden Estate
12Inside CentreDarker Lyndon AlexenderHillcrest
12Inside CentreSeth Muiru MainaSt. Anthony’s Kitale
12Inside CentreBrison Okara MakoriKakamega School
13Outside CentreDiaoune Al-Gassime WillardBraeburn Garden Estate
13Outside CentreEmmanuel MainaMoi Forces Academy
13Outside CentrePeter OtienoAll Saints Embu High School
13Outside CentreGarang GeuAll Saints Embu High School
14Right WingChris Kenneth ObuyaAgoro Sare
14Right WingAsaph KiptooMangu High School
14Right WingAbel KiplagatLenana School
14Right WingNahason GalgaluODA Secondary School
15FullbackAlvin Kiplangat RonoKapsabet High School
15FullbackCalistus Emmanuel WamuneChavakali School
15FullbackSimon Kipkogei KipronoSt. Patrick’s Iten
15FullbackMatrix OtokiKisii High School

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