Gweru to have first Rugby Academy

Sukoluhle Ndlovu
THE City of Gweru is set to have its first ever Rugby Academy following a recent move by Gweru Sports Club Rugby players to help impart their knowledge of the game to youngsters.

The Academy will be run by 24-year-old Rolland Sithole helped by Zweli Khethabantu Sibanda, a level one coach who is studying Sports Science with the National University of Science and Technology (Nust).

Zweli Khethabantu Sibanda is also the son of former Highlanders rugby player and Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) president, Nyararai Sibanda.

Kelvin Banda, a level one and two rugby coach and a sports administrator accredited by World Rugby and Zwelonke Mloyiswa the Gweru Sports Club chairman and former Zimbabwe national team player are also part of the team.

Gweru Sports Club will assist with the available training equipment and the rugby field.

The academy was officially launched on 17 June targeting the under-10s to under-19s as well as out of school senior players.

A level one rugby coach and Boston College Sports Administration and Management graduate, Sithole says the idea was always in his mind since high school at the Midlands Christian College to decentralise the game to other parts in the province.

a�?The love of the game gave me impetus to share it to young and upcoming male and female players. With the recently ended Under-20 Rugby World Cup, I had the privilege to be part of the whole process as a liaison official, this gave me an opportunity to see that the Midlands Province wasna��t well represented,a�? he said.

a�?Through the academy I would like to see players from the Midlands represent the national team at all age groups and improve the game of rugby in this region,a�? he added.