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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
DAIRIBORD Schools Rugby festival director Sebastian Garikai believes the non-traditional rugby-playing schools should play continuously after the youth jamboree if they are to improve the quality of their game.
Most of the traditional rugby-playing schools go on to play in their respective leagues with the likes of Prince Edward, Falcon, Churchill, Peterhouse, St John’s and St George’s Colleges featuring in the most prestigious schools rugby league.
These schools also take part in several Sevens tournaments during the first and third terms and also have the privilege to go on tours abroad.
Garikai feels there are a number of strategies that the up-and-coming schools should implement if they are to play more rugby matches.
“The (schools) league is not extensive but there are a number of issues and strategies that the non-traditional rugby-playing schools could implement if they are to play continuous rugby and this in turn will improve their game quality.
“Effectively it means some of the schools only play rugby once per year and that is at the festival.
“It would be better if the schools improvise on the soccer pitch for rugby because the dimensions are almost the same for both sports and I have also noticed that some schools are also doing the very same thing.
“Schools in the same zone should also try to make their own fixtures and play each other as much as possible because exposure and experience are the only two things that can make the players and the coaches better,” said Garikai.
Some of the schools that came on board this year are Atexis, Mbare Bulls Rugby Academy, Budiriro 1 High School and Hatcliffe Rugby Academy while Loxely and St Paul’s Musami are making a return in the boys section.
In the girls’ section SOS Hermann Gmeiner (Bindura), Amhlope (Bulawayo), Zengeza 1 and 4, Mt Pleasant, Herentals and Queen Elizabeth will be making their débuts at the festival.
Garikai, who was appointed onto the Sables technical team early this year, feels that once the schools have set up their structures, the ZRU should chip in to educate the coaches.
“Then there should be development officers who come to the schools to work with the coaches and the teachers so that they give them a more technical view on the sport and also give them a better insight into the game.
“These schools also have the potential to produce the next best Sables and Cheetahs players and they are equally a good selection base if they get the required attention,” said Garikai.
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