Lack of funded school leagues killing rugby

Ngoni Dapira
RUGBY pundits have blamed the lack of funded provincial schools rugby leagues for the demise of rugby in public schools throughout the country.Veteran players and old boys of former rugby power-house public schools who witnessed the just-ended Dairibord Schools’ Rugby Festival felt that the domination of private schools was now inevitably the new top-order at the festival unlike yesteryears.

Former Young Sables (Under-19) coach, Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa, said the pendulum had since tilted not only because of limited resources in public schools, but because of the death of rugby tradition in former rugby powerhouse public schools.

In Manicaland, public schools like Mutare Boys’ High was one such once recognised force, while Milton, Victoria High, Lord Malvern, Allan Wilson, Ellis Robins, Cranborne and Chaplain to name a few, used to dominate, but now stand no chance against private schools like St George’s, Peterhouse, St John’s, Watershed and Falcon to name a few.

The Churchill Bulldogs are the only team from public school that still has some thunder left in them, despite failing to win a single match against Falcon, Prince Edward and St George’s at this year’s festival.

The Bulldogs lost 7-24 to the Prince Edward Tigers and narrowly lost 21-24 to St George’s in the final match last Saturday, losing out on the opportunity to perform their famous haka.

“Resources have always been limited in public schools, even back in the 1990s, but now I feel it is more about the dying rugby culture in most of these schools.

“That old tradition to make it compulsory for all Form One pupils to try-out rugby is no more in most schools.

“The passion might still be there in the players, but the tradition is now dying in most of the public schools, of which, tradition was the driving force of rugby in public schools back in the days,” said Murambiwa.

Former Sables player and now Hillcrest Preparatory School rugby coach Alexander “Zame” Ndangana, concurred that former public school powerhouse teams like Churchill had lost the zeal and hunger to dominate.

Back in the day, private schools like Peterhouse would hunt for talent from public schools and give players scholarships.

Ndangana, who became a rugby legend at Prince Edward and South African Springboks player, Tendai “Beast” Mutawarira, were some of the players that were lured from Churchill to Prince Edward and Peterhouse respectively.

“It used to be a fierce battle zone back in the day. The friction in a Tigers (Prince Edward) versus Bulldogs (Churchill) match was fierce. Now it is lukewarm,” said Ndangana.

Marist High coach Stanislaus Matongo said lack of functional schools’ rugby leagues throughout the rugby season during the second term was killing the sport in public schools.

“As much as schools countrywide appreciate the annual rugby festival, when schools open, most public schools no longer have functional leagues like back in the day.

“This is killing the sport. In the case of Marist, we just play friendly matches and attend invitational tournaments, so that kills the spirit of the sport among players,” said Matongo.

Mutare-born former Sables player Prayer Chitenderu said Zimbabwe Rugby Union must step up and push for inter-schools leagues.

He said the sport would eventually fade in private schools if no excitement was created through functional leagues.

“Unlike their private schools counterparts, public schools now only have the rugby festival (Dairibord Schools Rugby Festival) to sharpen their skills and look forward to.

“This kills the spirit of the sport that used be kept alive through rivalry matches between Victoria High and Chaplain or Mutare Boys’ High and Churchill.

“Such momentous opportunities created by leagues back in the days pushed players to have a hunger for victory and be known as the best team.

“ZRU has to step up. They are the parent body and should be at the forefront of dealing with the issue not just watching at the terraces and hope things will improve themselves,” said Chitenderu.

Even at the Under-19 national selections, of late, not more than three players come from public schools while the bulk comes from private schools.

Mutare Boys’ High coach George Mufute said a lot of raw talent lay in public schools that if nurtured could build a formidable national senior squad.