The 59th edition of the Christie Sevens was a showcase of elite rugby and a powerful platform for the next generation of players. Age-grade rugby took centre stage, with 33 junior teams competing across U13 and U15 boys’ and girls’ categories at the RFUEA grounds in Nairobi.

For DBA Africa, the tournament was a chance to field four junior sides two U15 boys’ teams, one U15 girls’ team and one U13 boys’ team all from the DBA WaziWazi Rugby Academy - Nairobi, continuing the organisation’s commitment to developing future stars through competitive, structured play.

Building Pathways from Grassroots

From the U13 matches to the U15 encounters, the young players embraced the intensity and joy of competition. The level of participation reflected the growing appetite for structured youth rugby in the country and with 81 teams and 972 players taking part across all categories, Christie Sevens proved sport is more than a game it is a tool to shape character, inspire ambition and build brighter futures. The tournament provided not just playing opportunities but also a platform for children to learn teamwork and discipline from their role models in the senior categories.

Tackling Challenges in Youth Rugby.

Despite the successes, officials also acknowledged the challenges facing age-grade rugby. Kenya Harlequins and other age grade academy officials flagged issues of age cheating, a persistent problem in school and community competitions. At this year’s Christie’s, age verification was managed through peer reviews between coaches,as no functional player registries exist for age grade rugby.According to Quins, academies will soon be required to register players on a central database to improve transparency prior to competing in tournaments.

While competition hosts bear greater responsibility for vetting, Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has also confirmed plans to begin formal registration of players as young as nine years old, ensuring they can be tracked throughout their playing journey.

Such steps are critical to safeguarding the integrity of youth rugby, giving every child an equal opportunity to develop without unfair barriers.

Looking Ahead: Why It Matters.

The excitement around Christie 7s age-grade rugby is only the beginning, by providing structured, competitive environments for players, tournaments like Christie 7s do more than identify talent but also create pathways and connections for young people to grow both on and off the field. For DBA Africa, youth development is key, and these moments underline a central belief: that every child deserves the chance to dream, believe and achieve.