Why Competitions Matter: How Girls’ Rugby Opens Pathways Beyond the Pitch

In Kenya, talent in sport alone is rarely enough to carry a young person forward. Across the country, girls show skill, dedication and passion in sport, yet many remain unseen and unable to use sport to change their outcomes. This year, 18 young athletes, eleven from Western Kenya’s DBA Kabras Girls Academy and seven from Nairobi’s Wazi Wazi Academy, secured secondary school scholarships, and  without structured competitions, many of these girls would never have been scouted or given a chance to access the opportunity.

Competitions create visibility

DBA Africa firmly believes that competition provides a platform where talent, effort and potential can be measured fairly, across regions and schools. Last July, we hosted the first-ever Girls Future’s Cup tournament at St. Christopher’s School in Nairobi, bringing together emerging talent from across the country. The tournament offered structured matches, consistent standards and a safe environment where girls could perform at their best. Following this, the Future’s Cup Girls Dream Team tour to Mombasa extended exposure further, allowing standout performers to play in high-quality fixtures, showcase their character and attract the attention of schools and decision-makers. This goes hand in hand with our quest for youth development.

The coaching staff and their outlook

Hassan Ali, coordinator at the DBA Kabras Girls Academy, explains,“Competition is not just about winning. It is about expression, confidence and being seen. No athlete progresses in isolation. Opportunity only comes when you step into spaces where others can see what you can do.” The combination of local academy training and inter-regional competition ensures that girls are not limited by geography or circumstance. In Nairobi, the Wazi Wazi Academy works closely with Kenya Women’s national players and coaches to provide mentorship, skill development, and a pathway that mirrors the opportunities available in Western Kenya. Together, these platforms form a layered system where talent meets opportunity.

The value of competition extends beyond individual athletes. Schools can use structured tournaments to develop long-term girls’ programmes, identify talent, and make fair scholarship decisions. Transparent competition fosters pathways for both local and international opportunities and creates an ecosystem that can attract corporate sponsorship, strengthen community programmes and increase support for women in sport.

Storm Trentham, Founder and COO of DBA Africa reflects, “Education is a bridge. Sport opens that bridge. Through rugby, girls gain access to schools, mentorship and experiences that can transform their futures.” The 18 scholarship recipients are living proof that competition is more than a game. It is a tool that transforms potential into tangible outcomes.

The future of girls in sport

As Kenya continues to grow in women’s rugby, the importance of competitions cannot be overstated. When girls are given repeated chances to play, be evaluated and excel, education and life opportunities follow. DBA Africa’s commitment to structured competitions, cross-regional exposure and consistent support ensures that girls’ talent is recognised and nurtured. The work does not stop here. Expanding tournaments, supporting academies and creating more visibility will allow even more girls to step onto the pitch, be seen and access the education and opportunities they deserve.

For readers, support takes many forms. Schools can partner with DBA Africa to host or sponsor competitions. Corporates can invest in girls’ sport through programmes, scholarships and facilities. Communities can advocate, attend games and celebrate achievements. Every effort strengthens a system where opportunity is accessible, merit is rewarded and girls’ potential is realised.

The lessons are clear. Structured competition is a bridge from grassroots to greatness, from talent to education and from effort to life-changing opportunity. Through deliberate pathways, repeated exposure and credible tournaments, DBA Africa continues to ensure that women in sport are not only seen but supported to thrive both on and off the field.