UR7s Kenya correspondent, Maik Kwambo, gives an insight into Kenya's National Sevens Circuit and why this year's domestic series could be the best yet. 

With the curtain having fallen on the 15s season, attention now shifts to the National Sevens Circuit, now in its tenth year which starts this weekend. The National Sevens Circuit (NSC) has grown in leaps and bounds since its maiden run in 1999, serving up plenty of thrills, spills and upsets. It has unearthed many gems, some of whom have gone on to represent the various Kenyan national sides.

Shujaa, the Kenya Rugby Sevens National team, has also carved a niche for itself as a core side on the IRB Sevens World Series during this same period of time, thanks to some committed displays and incredible results down the years.

The National Sevens Circuit, coupled with other obvious factors, has in one way or another contributed to the spread of rugby across the country. Indeed, unofficial sources have it on record that rugby is the fastest growing sport in Kenya today.

Well, the 2009 edition is here with us, bigger and better, five tournaments in four towns and cities.

Here is a look at the five tournaments that will be part of the National Sevens Circuit in 2009.

Kisumu Dala Sevens, Nov 14-15 2009, Kisumu:

The Dala Sevens is the first leg of the Kenya Rugby Football Union (KRFU) National Sevens Circuit (NSC). A five leg series of sevens tournaments in four Kenyan towns and cities that sees all the leading Kenyan teams come out to compete for points to determine the national club sevens champions.

Kisumu is the biggest city in the Western Kenya region, a region that has carved its niche as the cradle of Kenyan rugby talent.

"Dala" means home in Dholuo, the dominant language of the Luo who inhabit Kisumu and its environs.

Dala Sevens is about rugby returning home. The likes of current Kenya Sevens coach Benja Ayimba, Teddy Omondi, Dennis Mwanja, Brian Nyikuli, Collins Injera and Humphrey Kayange nurtured their talent in educational institutions within this region.

The Kisumu Dala Sevens was first hosted in May 2003 with defunct Kenya Army side, Ulinzi RFC winning that event. It ran in the subsequent years before being dropped from the NSC in 2007 due to financial constraints on the part of the host club, Kisumu RFC.

Thanks to a healthy sponsorship package, it makes its big return this year, paving the way for four other tourneys that will see one club reign supreme as the Kenyan sevens champions in a year when the NSC celebrates ten years since its inception in 1999, ten years that have seen sevens rugby grow in leaps and bounds with the national side, Shujaa having claimed the scalps of all the sevens powerhouses over this period of time.

Kenya Harlequin Christie Sevens, Nov 21-22 2009, RFUEA, Nairobi:

The second leg of the KRFU National Sevens Circuit, hosted by Kenya's second oldest club, Kenya Harlequin FC at their home venue, the RFUEA on Ngong' Road in Nairobi, a venue that also serves as the home of Africa's premier sevens tourney, the Safaricom Sevens.

Taking place on the weekend of November 21st, 2009, this tournament sees all participating teams continue the battle to be crowned Kenyan sevens champions.

This tourney has grown over the years from a one day event to become a pivotal part of the NSC as results from the Christies have either dramatically altered or determined the course of the NSC.

Players such as Benja Ayimba, Felix Ochieng, Sammy Khakame, Oscar Osir,Allan Hicks, Mitch Ocholla, Jeff Tolo, Gordon Anampiu, Sidney Obonyo,Kennedy Aswani, Steve Gichuki and Paul "Pablo" Murunga, all retired members of the Kenya Rugby Sevens team have honed their skills at this tournament.

Present day Kenya stalwarts Victor Sudi, Naf Bondo,Collins Injera, Humphrey Kayange, Lavin Asego, Sidney Ashioya,Biko Adema, Dennis Mwanja to name but a few have also taken part in previous Christies, making an impression that earned them selection to Shujaa.

Which future stars are going to unearthed at the 2009 Christies?

Who will win this tourney?

What will be its overall effect on the 2009 NSC?

Prinsloo Sevens, Nov 28-29 2009, Nakuru Athletic Club, Nakuru:

The Prinsloo Sevens, the third leg of the KRFU National Sevens Circuit, is named in honour of Pete Walter Prinsloo, a rugby veteran of South African origin from Nakuru who revamped the game in Nakuru in the 80s.

He died from diabetes compications but not before losing two limbs and facing several other complications. He had to go around in a wheelchair but his did not stop his enthusiasm and love for the game.

This year's event is the third edition in honour of his efforts and following a very successful premier in October 2007, there should be a lot of fireworks as the NSC embarks on its home stretch.

The Nakuru and great rift valley region has over the years produced brilliant players. Allan Omuyakhu, Pascal Wetukha, Ben Otieno,Jotham Owili, Cyprian Shimenga,Edwin Shimenga and Enos Otieno are just some of the players who have been blooded through the Nakuru RFC system, breaking out to become key players in subsequent years. Current Kenya Sevens vice captain Gibson Weru captains the host side, Nakuru RFC.

What will it be like when sevens rugby hits the Rift Valley town of Nakuru on Satruday 28th November 2009?

According to Nakuru RFC's Kirori Mindo, "a good number of the teams to play in the 2009 Prinsloo sevens are going to be tenderfeet, unheard of rugby teams from the most unlikeliest corners of the country. These are teams that have potential for blossoming into rugby houses but have no structures to re-construct this superlative talent into a winning formula."

Some of the teams Mindo mentioned include Sigalagala from Western Kenya, Kenya Industrial Training Institute and Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology from the Rift Valley and Nyeri's Kimathi University of Science and Technology, not your traditional rugby playing institutions.

The Rugby Union of Rwanda have indicated that they will send their strongest team yet, this time playing as the Silverbacks . The Rwandese made their debut in last year's event as the Buffaloes, impressing many with their speed and agility.

This year's Prinsloo Sevens will be a 24 team event, loosely based on the Hong Kong Sevens model. Matches will be played simultaneoulsy on two pitches over the two day duration of the event that takes place at the Nakuru Athletic Club on the weekend of November 28th. Mark this date in your diaries and calendars.

George Mwangi Kabeberi Memorial Sevens,Dec 5-6 2009, Nairobi:

This is the penultimate leg of the KRFU National Sevens Circuit, hosted by Mwamba RFC , Kenya's first club formed by indigenous Africans in 1977.

The George Mwangi Kabeberi Memorial Sevens is held in honour of former Mwamba RFC player George Mwangi Kabeberi who died in 1986.

Mwamba RFC have in recent years established themselves as a sevens powerhosue, indeed they are the current National Sevens Circuit defending champions. Kenya Sevens stalwarts including the 2008/2009 IRB Sevens World Series top try scorer Collins Injera, Kenya Sevens skipper Humphrey Kayange, Lavin Asego and Horace Otieno feature for the black shirts.

Expect the fourth leg of the National Sevens Circuit, the George Mwangi Kabeberi Sevens to be an action packed event, reason being the sevens circuit will be at its business end, with the clubs jostling for crucial points that will bring them even closer to the overall title.

The action takes place at the RFUEA on Ngong' Road in Nairobi on the weekend of 5th/6th December 2009.

Driftwood Sevens, Dec 12-13 2009, Mombasa Sports Club, Mombasa:

This is the final round of the KRFU National Sevens Circuit, taking place at the Mombasa Sports Club in the port city of Mombasa, home to Mombasa Sports Club who take part in the second division Eric Shirley Shield league.
Taking place on Kenya's Independence Day weekend, the Driftwood Sevens is a fitting farewell to the 2009 Kenyan rugby season. What better way to end the season by crowning a new (or old) National Sevens champion after five gruelling legs in four towns and cities across Kenya?

In the early 1980’s the Driftwood Beach Club , a hotel in Malindi,about 150km north of Mombasa, donated the Driftwood trophy and asked for their long forgotten sevens tournament which was played in the colonial days in Malindi to be revived at Mombasa Sports Club.

With the blessings of KRFU the inaugural tournament sponsored by DHL was held in 1990. The Driftwood sevens having won its place in the Kenyan rugby calendar , further stimulated the interest of the game in the Coast from the playing side, spectators and corporate sponsorship fraternity.

Some of the big sponsors in its 19 year history are

DHL a record six times,1990-1996

TNT 1997

SMIRNOFF 1998-1999

TROPHY LAGER 2000

SAFARICOM 2002

SAFARICOM 2003

MITCHELL COTTS 2005

MITCHELL COTTS 2006

MITCHELL COTTS 2007

WESTERNUNION 2008

The Driftwood sevens festival is the primary fund raising event for MSC and every year improving in the quality of the tournament.The Driftwood trophy , a piece of natural wood , exquisitely carved by the eternal forces of the oceans , has indeed found a permanent home and will continue give a sense of history , direction and purpose to the rugby loving people of the coast.

DRIFTWOOD WINNERS

 

1990 - Kenya Harlequin FC

1991 - Barclays RFC

1992 - Barclays RFC

1993 - Mean Machine RFC

1994 - Kenya Harlequin FC

1995 - Kenya Harlequin FC

1996 - Kenya Harlequin FC

1997 - Mean Machine RFC

1998 - USIU RFC

1999 - Impala RFC

2000 - Kenya Harlequin FC

2001 - Impala RFC

2002 - Ulinzi RFC

2003 - Kenya Harlequin FC

2004 - Kenya Harlequin FC

2005 - Kenya Harlequin FC

2006 - Kenya Harlequin FC

2007 - Mwamba RFC

2008 - Mwamba RFC

Driftwood Sevens Info courtesy of Ray Dawa,
Chairman
Mombasa Sports Club, Rugby Section