09 December 2025
Growing the Next Generation of Women in Rugby, Building Pathways, and Strengthening Communities
In Western Kenya (Kabras), something extraordinary is happening. A movement. A shift. A rising generation of young girls who are stepping onto the rugby pitch, with courage, ambition, and dreams that stretch far beyond the field. The DBA Africa Women’s Program, in partnership with Kabras Sugar Rugby Club, is not just developing athletes, it is building a community, a pathway, and a future.
A Program That Goes Beyond Sport
At DBA Africa, we’ve always believed that an academy must be more than training. It must be a place that shapes character, strengthens identity, and builds opportunities. This is why our women’s program extends far beyond coaching sessions. It is a safe space, a shelter, for young girls navigating daily challenges of life, school, family responsibilities, and societal expectations. Through our partnership with Kabras, we’re reaching girls who would otherwise never access structured sport, mentorship, or mental health support with the purpose to instill in them values as well as skills not just on the field but in life as well. And in this region, where the distances are long, resources are few, and opportunities are uneven, the work is even more urgent.
A Memorable Trip: Listening, Learning and Strengthening the Mission
On Friday, November 28th, our co-founder Susanne, Programs Lead Phillip, and team representative Leeon flew to Western Kenya for a visit that would spark new energy and commitment to the cause.
At Kabras Rugby, they sat down with:
- Chairman Kabras Sugar Rugby, Mr. Esilaba,
- Development Pathways Lead Mr. Achayo, and
- Coach Hassan, the head of the Western girls’ development program.
The conversations were real, raw, and deeply revealing.
What We Learned
- Some girls walk long distances just to access the pitch and coaching.
- Ages range from 11 to 17, all eager, passionate, and hungry to learn.
- Many face traumas, instability, and mental health challenges that often go unseen.
- Rugby is not just a sport for them, it's a safe space, a source of strength and identity.
- Numbers are growing quickly, and with growth comes the need for more female coaches and more structured female-led mentorship.
Yet, despite all these challenges, their commitment is unwavering. Their belief in what rugby can offer is unshakable.
Why This Matters: A World Cup Dream
Women in rugby is a conversation rising across Africa, and for good reason. With the right investments, support systems, and pathways, Mr Esilaba mentions humorously that, “this and the next generation of girls could be the very first to take Kenya to a Women’s Rugby World Cup”. And in Western Kenya, we see the spark that makes that dream possible. Working with Kabras rugby does more than strengthen a team, it builds a grassroots pipeline that can change the entire landscape of women’s rugby in Kenya.
Maryline’s Story: A Voice of Hope
One of the highlights of the trip was meeting Maryline Amita, team captain and a standout athlete selected into the DBA Girls Dream Team that toured the Coastal region. Her words stayed with everyone: “Rugby teaches values and gives opportunities.” Maryline represents the voice of hundreds of girls in Western Kenya, strong, hopeful, resilient. She is living proof that with the right guidance, rugby becomes a tool for transformation.
Deepening Roots, Expanding Possibilities
DBA Africa and Kabras Rugby are aligned in one clear mission: To establish a strong, sustainable, and consistent grassroots pathway for young girls in Western Kenya. This partnership is not a one-time project, it is a long-term commitment to:
- Expand access and rope in support
- Strengthen coaching
- Introduce more female coaches
- Provide mental health support
- Build safe spaces
- Create competitive platforms
- Empower girls through leadership and life skills
Above all, it is a commitment to showing up for these girls, again and again.
Conclusion. A Trip That Revealed the Truth and the Potential
The Western Kenya visit was far more than a program check-in, it was a window into the real lives, real struggles, and real dreams of the young girls who wear the western jersey with pride. The conversations with Chairman Osilaba, Mr. Achayo, Coach Hassan, and the girls themselves showed us two things clearly:
- The challenges are deep and real, but not impossible to overcome.
- The potential is limitless when support meets opportunity.
A moment that summed up the spirit of the visit was when Madam Susanne gifted the team five brand-new match balls, a simple gesture that meant the world to the girls. The joy, gratitude, and renewed motivation on their faces said everything. It was a reminder that even the smallest resource can unlock confidence, pride, and possibility.
Recommendations. The Path Forward
Based on everything we saw, heard, and learned during the trip, we recommend the following steps to deepen our impact and strengthen the Western Kenya girls’ pathway:
- Strengthen Mental Health Support
- Improve Accessibility & Infrastructure
- Recruit & Train More Female Coaches
- Expand Talent Identification & Pathways
- Strengthen the DBA–Kabras Partnership
- Bring More Stakeholders Onboard
- Keep Encouraging the Girls, Consistency Builds Champions