Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe senior men’s national rugby team paid homage to one of the country’s premier development hubs, Churchill High School of Harare for the role they played in pioneering the sport in the country.
Led by head coach, Piet Benade and old boys Kudzai Mashiwi, Takudzwa Kumadiro and Tedious Hwata, the Sables, recognised the significant contribution of Churchill High School to the development of rugby in the country.
The team also presented the Africa Cup Trophy to the school as a token of appreciation for their long-standing support. Churchill High School, often referred to as the Bulldogs, has been a powerhouse in Zimbabwean rugby for over three decades.
The school has produced international stars such as Tendai “The Beast” Mtawarira, one of the most capped South African National team players and a World Cup winner, along with a host of Sables such as Prayer Chitenderu, Tangai Nemadire and Denford Mutamangira. Under the guidance of coach Jeffrey Madhake, the school has produced numerous talented players who have gone on to represent the Sables at the highest level.
The school’s Under-21 side, the Pitbulls, has won five national championships, and their alumni have formed a senior team that currently ranks third in the Harare Provincial League.
Benade emphasised the importance of Churchill High School in nurturing young rugby talent.
“We’ve seen the massive impact that Churchill has had on the rugby landscape, not only through players but also through journalists. The strong structure at the school is supporting and funnelling players into the national setup, and we’ve witnessed the sheer number of Churchill boys who remain involved in rugby through clubs and the national system,” said Benade. Churchill head coach Madhake said the honorary visit and presentation give testament to the unsung work that goes on behind the scenes as the school that relentlessly churns out international stars.
“It was a pleasant surprise that I welcomed because there is a lot of work that goes on to keep rugby at this high level. The majority of players in the Sables team come from Churchill and Prince Edward School.
“Yes, there are a lot of private schools that are playing very good rugby as well, but as soon as they are done, we don’t see as many of them as our boys returning to play for the country,” said Madhake. Acting School Head Mrs Shoko expressed the school’s commitment to rugby, stating that it is a cornerstone of Churchill’s culture and values. She announced plans to lobby for the reinstatement of a compulsory rugby requirement for all Form One pupils.
As the Sables continue to prepare for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, their partnership with Churchill High School serves as a testament to the school’s dedication to developing future rugby stars and contributing to the growth of the sport in Zimbabwe.
Takudzwa Kumadiro, who started representing Zimbabwe at the Under-19 level, said the impact of such visits revives the verve young players have to represent their country.
“It takes me back to the time when I wondered if I could make it into the Sables side on a global scene. It was just a dream, and coming back to school reminds me of how important it is for us to encourage young players and let them know that they are the future Sables,” he said. – @brandon_malvin
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