The ManicaPost
Blessing Gondokondo Sports Reporter
THE Manicaland Rugby Board has revived Marange High School rugby team after a 15-year ban by the school administrators following injuries sustained by some of the players.
Manicaland Rugby Board chairman, Josiah Borerwe, told the Marange High School sports board that the injuries were due to lack of professional training and adequate equipment.
Borerwe said this during a recent visit to Marange High School to donate rugby balls and cons for training.
It was, however, revealed at the same function that rugby was last played at the school in 2001.
During Borerwe’s visit to Marange High School, it was also revealed that a student, Watson Chanaka broke his jaw in a tournament played at the school in 1999.
Lazarus Shundure, who was a rugby player in that team back then and is now a volleyball coach at the school, confirmed Chanaka’s injury.
“Rugby at Marange High School was last played in 1999 when Chanaka broke his jaw in that year’s tournament. A year later the school could not continue playing rugby as funding of the sport was stopped. The school authorities were afraid that more students would be injured while playing the sport. The sport was then viewed as violent and inappropriate for students,” said Shundure.
Marange High School sports director, Lovemore Manyeruke, said the school was passionate about rugby despite previous setbacks.
“Students are so passionate about rugby. We have many students who were training on their own and advocating for the introduction of rugby as a sport at the school, but we could not revive it due to lack of resources,” said Manyeruke.
He also said the school lacked equipment and qualified coaches to train their students.
“We have students who would practice or play rugby in the school grounds on their own. Some of them came from rugby playing schools such as Hillcrest College, Chancellor Primary School or Mutare Junior Primary School in urban areas,” said Manyeruke.
Borerwe explained the thrust of MRB board, saying the board will help Mutare District as a whole to be equipped with resources and knowledge of rugby.
“Since rugby was last played 15 years ago at the school due to continuous injuries suffered by students, MRB will provide resources such as coaches to train local coaches and their referees as well.
“We believe this will reduce the risks of injuries. The training programme for district coaches will start on November 15.
“MRB this year is not focusing on men rugby alone, but women rugby as well. Besides that, Marange High should link with sport coordinators of other schools such as Matanda High School, Chipariro Secondary School, Chikwariro Secondary School, Benhura Secondary School, Mushunje Secondary School and Karirwi Secondary School to improve the quality of rugby in the district,” he said.
Borerwe also confirmed that Mountain Lions Rugby Club head coach who is also in the Zimbabwe rugby coaching structures, Brendon Chombo will be in charge of training Mutare District rugby coaches.
“Brendon Chombo will be training head coaches and sports administrators in this district as he is the only coach chosen in the province to be part of national rugby coaches,” said Borerwe.
