DBA Africa’s commitment to grassroots sport was on full display in two regional rugby tournaments; the Prinsloo 7s Age Grade event in Nakuru and the Seacrest Coastal Rugby Festival in Diani. These events offered vital game-time for boys and girls and demonstrated how structured support can lift community academies to competitive success.

Rift Valley's Rise: Prinsloo 7s Tournament
Held alongside the National Sevens Circuit in Nakuru, the Prinsloo 7s featured all five age-grade academies supported by DBA Africa in the Rift Valley: New Life Academy, Turi Age Grade Centre, Gilgil Vumbi, Nakuru Teachers and Nakuru Athletics Club. DBA’s long-term investment in coaching reimbursements, equipment and competition opportunities was clearly evident in the results. Teams also received official DBA kits, allowing players to compete in proper attire and with pride. The sight of young athletes wearing their colours underscored the real impact that kit donations can have on morale, dignity and identity on the field.

In the Under 15 Girls category, Nakuru Athletics Club academy were crowned champions after an impressive 19-7 win over New Life. Their U15 Boys counterparts reached the finals as well, narrowly losing to New Life Academy 12-14 in a thrilling match. Across the board, girls and boys from DBA-linked academies put in powerful performances, showing how consistent support is translating into on-field excellence.

In total, over 20 teams participated across the U12, U15 and U18 categories, with Nakuru teams finishing in the top three in all divisions. These results reflect the maturing systems at community level and the strength of the partnerships forged between DBA and local coaches.

Coastal Growth: Seacrest U15 Rugby Festival
Meanwhile in Diani, the DBA Coastal Tsunami Academy hosted the inaugural Seacrest Rugby Festival, a celebration of U15 rugby development in the region. The one-day tournament featured four boys’ and four girls’ teams, including external guests Kilifi Titans and Mombasa Bulldogs. The festival was made possible through DBA Africa’s funding support, and was executed through the able leadership of DBA-based coaches led by Mwinyihaji Mohamed Ali, whose coordination and commitment made the day a success.

Structured primarily around Coastal Tsunami Academy’s U15 squads, the tournament provided crucial match experience for both genders. The boys’ teams recorded two wins and demonstrated noticeable improvement, while the girls’ team, despite not registering a victory, showed resilience and determination that was praised by both coaches and visiting teams.

Building from the Ground Up
These tournaments were more than competitive platforms; they were developmental milestones for each player who took the field. For DBA Africa, they represent proof of progress, the ability to support tournaments in both Rift Valley and Coastal Kenya within the same week reflects the expansion of a grassroots rugby pipeline that is gaining national traction, notably, the Seacrest festival also marked the highest girls’ participation yet recorded in a local Coastal rugby event underlining DBA Africa’s sustained focus on inclusion.

These events show what’s possible when local commitment meets long-term structure where raw community talent is nurtured and guided toward something greater, from grassroots to greatness.