adminMbachi Mutukula Maregere Sports Reporter
MBARE Academy defeated Chishawasha 7-6 in a fiercely-contested tag rugby showdown at Harare Sports Club on Saturday. The Mbare boys emerged as the overall winners and walked away with the Cup while Mabvuku, who were the defending champions, took the Plate title.
Shingirayi took the Bowl.
The tournament attracted a number of teams with Chitungwiza, Mufakose Academy, Glen View 8, Sunningdale 1, St Joseph, St Peter’s, Tafara 1 Primary, Fungisai Primary and Support Unit Primary taking part.
Mbare Academy coach Milton Ranken hailed his team’s performance in all their matches.
“Our academy is growing and for us to win this tournament it was not easy,” said Ranken.
“There was a lot of competition from most of the teams but we tried hard and, in the end, won the trophy.”
Captain Victor Matarise paid tribute to his coaches.
“I am enjoying tag rugby each time we play and I want to become of the country’s top players,” said Matarise.
“Thanks to our coaches at our Academy and the Tag Rugby Trust for giving us this opportunity of expressing our talents.”
The Tag Rugby Trust programme was formed in 2011 with 800 children taking part and the following year the programme had 3500 players.
There was sensational growth, the following year, with 5500 players taking part.
Tag Rugby Trust manager Tinashe Shamu said the tournament was growing at a rapid rate.
“Our many objective is to introduce and also promote rugby in government schools and as the Tag Rugby Trust we are happy with the developments,” said Shamu.
“The sport has been welcome by many young boys and girls who only got to understand what it is all about after we came in to help.
“We are glad that it is becoming popular and many players now have the idea of what tag rugby is.
“All our tournaments have been successful because of the help we have been getting from Spar who provide food for all our players and we are very grateful.”
Online Reporter