From Nairobi to Rosslyn Park 2027

Following a convincing victory in July against a touring UK school team, and having witnessed first-hand the exceptional speed, strength and standard of the DBA Nairobi 7s players against an international team, DBA Africa Director Storm Trentham made a decision on the spot: ‘these boys deserved the opportunity to compete on the international stage. They deserved to experience Rosslyn Park 7s 2027 and an opportunity that could change their lives’.

The very next day, DBA contacted the Rosslyn Park organisers. With entries already full and a waiting list in place, we were delighted when, the following week, they confirmed they had made a place for us. DBA Storm would currently be the only team representing East Africa at the tournament.

We knew that if we were going to compete against some of the best UK independent schools, we needed to assemble the strongest possible squad. Selection was therefore opened up beyond DBA’s Nairobi academy, inviting nominations from all DBA academies across Western, Rift Valley and the Coast, as well as rugby academies throughout Nairobi.

Coaches were asked to nominate their best two to four players. The first Nairobi trials attracted 54 players, including representatives from the Coast, while the Nakuru trials brought together a further 41 players, including athletes from Western Kenya. In total, 95 players took part in the first two rounds of selection.

A panel of independent selectors, including former Olympic 7s players and current Kenyan 7s champions, assessed the talent and narrowed the group down to 36.

Those 36 players came together in Nairobi from 1–3 November for an intensive final selection camp. They were put through rigorous trials and assessed by seven selectors, including current Shujaa players Samuel Asati and Nigel Amaitsa. Yesterday, the final 18 players were announced.

The team

FORWARDS

Jones Nyakundi 

Kyle Amisi

Danvas Mwangi 

Moses Wafula

Stanley Omondi

Lucky Japhlert

Abidan Auta

Enoch SIloji 

HALFBACKS

Sam Wekesa

Thomas Sichange 

Raymond Maranga

Christian Ochieng

Harrison Mekula

CENTERS

Sam Ochieng

Fredrick Okoth

Bravin Odour

WINGERS

Mohammed Salim

Ian Otieno

The selected squad will remain in camp until 8 November, with an intensive programme designed to develop them both individually and as a team. Thanks to the huge support of SmashFit Gym at Sarit Centre, mornings are dedicated to strength, conditioning and recovery, followed by rugby training each afternoon. Evenings are focused on team building, match analysis and preparation. These are the sports partnerships we would like to build.

The squad will now be known as DBA Storm.

The journey is only just beginning. Between now and their departure, the players have a demanding preparation schedule ahead, two further week long training camps before schools return in January, four additional training weekends and one final intensive camp before flying to the UK.

From 5–19 March 2027, these young athletes will travel to the UK to represent DBA Africa, their communities and Kenya at Rosslyn Park 7s.

We still have a huge amount to fundraise to allow the talent to train and compete, if any individuals or corporates are interested in supporting, please do get in touch with storm@dbaafrica.org

From 95 trialists to 18 selected players. One team. One dream. The Pride of Africa.