Overwhelming response to Zimbabwe Rugby Union advertised posts

Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWE Rugby Union have received a huge number of applications for the various posts advertised last month whose closing date for submissions was last Thursday.

The highest profile of the positions is that ZRU director of rugby which has been vacant since Nsikelelo Sibanda resigned at the beginning of the year. Other posts advertised were head coach positions for the national fifteens women’s team, women Under-20, Zimbabwe A men, Under-20 men and senior women sevens.

Also being sought are team managers for Zimbabwe A men, women fifteens, senior sevens men (two posts), women sevens, Under-20 men and Under-20 women.

ZRU chief executive officer, Sifiso Made said the response to the adverts was tremendous with the applications to be sent to the unions’ technical and appointments committee which is responsible for recruitment. Due to the restrictions in place to curb the spread of Covid-19, interviews for the shortlisted candidates are likely to be conducted online.

“There has been an overwhelming response to the posts we advertised, the applications will now go to the technical and appointments committee, the committee will look at each application to see if it meets the criteria for the particular post. Virtual interviews will most likely be conducted given the Covid-19 restrictions,’’ Made said.

Applications are still being accepted for other posts that were advertised, which include that of Cheetahs head coach whose closing date is 17 August.

Meanwhile, ZRU are still in the process of distributing hampers and mealie meal to players as well as officials. The items were bought using the World Rugby Food and Medical Relief fund where 5 000 Euros was made available to ZRU through Rugby Africa. While distribution was done in the southern region, in the northern part of the country the process has still not been complete since there are restrictions in place to fight Covid-19.

“We are still distributing, we are trying our best to see how we can get the hampers and mealie meal to the recipients,” Made said.

In terms of medical equipment, Made indicated that those will be purchased once it becomes clear when rugby is resuming.

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