Nairobi, Kenya,  DBA Africa capped off an incredible year with a spectacular Rugby Festival at Kenton College this past weekend, closing the academy season on an all-time high. The atmosphere was filled with 220 young and aspiring athletes, ranging from 7 to 17 years old, all coming together for a morning of full on rugby action.

The Action Kicks Off.

Punctuality was key, with all teams ready to go as the festival kicked off sharp at 9:30 AM, one of our core life lessons at the DBA Africa Rugby academy. The day was a vibrant showcase of skill and passion, with a round-robin format ensuring every player had maximum game time.

“Every single athlete that attended the festival got a chance to jump into the field and fully express themselves on the pitch.” Said Philip Wamae our head of academies and fixtures.

The competition was fierce but friendly, with teams battling for points in their respective categories:

The event saw FIVE DBA teams participate across the categories, demonstrating the depth of talent within the academy.

Community & Future Talent

The sidelines had a lot of energy. The festival was well-attended by Kenya Rugby greats, parents, coaches, and scouts all keen to spot the next generation of talent, highlighting the importance of youth development in both the boys' and girls' games.

Celebrating the Stars of Tomorrow

As the tournament closed, the focus shifted to celebrating the year's achievements. DBA Africa hosted a heartfelt awards ceremony to mark the end of the season. A huge thank you went out to Healthy U for providing wonderful gift hampers for the deserving young boys and girls.

Awards were presented for:

• Most Improved Player
• Most Valuable Player (MVP)
• Best Sportsman/Sportswoman

The highest honor of the day, the Overall Academy MVP, awarded to the most standout athlete demonstrating both life skills and technical rugby skills on the field, was proudly handed to Danvas Mwagi. He was a stand out athlete at the DBA Dream team tour as well as during the futures cup.

Looking Ahead

DBA Africa’s commitment to youth development programmes remains steadfast.

"Sports development is the way to go and youth development is why we are here," Jacob Ojee former Kenya 7s and DBA Under 17 coach said. "We look forward to a new year filled with fun and activities in and around rugby as we continue to nurture the future of the sport."

Have a look at the sights and sounds of the RUGBY FESTIVAL.

Follow DBA Africa on social media for updates on our next season's registration and upcoming events.