DBA Africa Welcomes Kingsley School for Historic Inaugural Tour

The past two weeks have felt like a breath of fresh air as years of meticulous planning finally shifted into vibrant action.

For over  18 months, DBA Africa has been working behind the scenes to orchestrate a monumental milestone: our very first international school sports tour. What began as a simple exploratory visit to Kenya by the Head of Kingsley School (UK) quickly blossomed. First, it inspired an annual Under-13 tournament, then expanded into deep-rooted support for our Rift Valley academies, and has now culminated in a full-scale, historic rugby and netball tour.

A Partnership Built on Purpose

Over the years, the support from Kingsley School has been nothing short of exceptional. Their financial contributions have been instrumental in sustaining our Rift Valley rugby development programmes and funding local fixtures.

Because of this partnership, the Kingsley Cup has taken center stage every July. This annual tournament brings together all of our Rift Valley-based sides to compete against each other and our Nairobi-based DBA team, fostering incredible local talent.

Hit the Ground Running: Pitch Action & Cultural Exchange

From the moment they landed, the Kingsley students arrived with vibrant energy, ready to embrace every challenge and opportunity. For many, this was their first time visiting Africa, and we are incredibly proud that they chose to experience it through DBA Africa. Our goal for this sports tour was clear: to give Kingsley a genuine taste of Kenyan culture, experience our rich sporting acumen, and build lifelong relationships.

• Shaking Off the Jet Lag: Following their long flight, the squads kicked off with an energetic "blow-out" training session at KRU, to acclimatise and prepare for the busy schedule ahead.
• First Fixtures: The opening weekend was packed with friendly matches to get both the netball and rugby teams into their competitive rhythm.
• Heading to the Rift Valley: Straight after their initial matches, the tour party journeyed to the Rift Valley, where they were warmly hosted by the prestigious St. Andrew's School, Turi.

Hands-On Leadership at the Kingsley Cup

Following their action-packed friendlies, the Kingsley students transitioned into our community outreach programmes—including the highly anticipated Kingsley Cup.

On tournament day, the Kingsley students fully took the reins. They split into groups to run the event themselves: coaching local teams, officiating as touch judges, and managing the tournament desk. It was a profound, hands-on opportunity for the visiting students to see exactly where their school’s fundraising efforts go, witnessing the direct impact on grassroots sports development.

"It was incredibly powerful for the Kingsley students to see firsthand how their school's support transforms lives on the ground."

Deepening Connections: Outreach and Wildlife

The outreach continued with deeply moving visits to Gilgil and the Kibera Girls Soccer Academy in Nairobi. For many of the UK students, seeing the realities of informal settlements was a profound, eye-opening experience. However, barriers quickly melted away through the universal languages of music and dance as the Kingsley students sang and danced with the local children.

Throughout the tour, St. Christopher's School in Karen served as the team's training base, welcoming them for evening practice sessions.

Of course, no trip to Kenya is complete without experiencing its world-renowned natural beauty. The team enjoyed unforgettable team-building and sightseeing excursions, including safaris across two national parks in two different counties, allowing them to see an array of stunning wildlife in their natural habitats.

A Grand Finale on the Field

As the tour drew to a close, the competitive action returned to the pitch. The Kingsley squads faced off against some of Kenya’s finest youth talent:

• Midweek: A highly enjoyable warm-up match against a Nairobi Schools Combined side.
• Saturday: Formidable fixtures against our Rift Valley-based teams.
• Sunday: A thrilling final set of matches against our Nairobi-based selection.

This tour proved to be so much more than just rugby and netball; it was a beautiful cultural exchange. It was also a joy to have Darlton join the tour—a talented young athlete currently attending Kingsley School on a scholarship, representing the living link between our two communities.

With Heartfelt Gratitude

An undertaking of this scale requires a village. We would like to extend our massive thanks to:

• Kingsley School: The sports staff, parents, and students whose enthusiasm and support made this dream a reality.
• St. Christopher's School, Pembroke House & St. Andrew's School, Turi: For their warm hospitality and world-class facilities.
• Adequate Safaris: For flawlessly managing the complex travel logistics and local exchanges throughout the trip.

This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for DBA Africa. We cannot wait to welcome Kingsley School, and many others, back to Kenya for years to come.