2025 marked a transformative chapter for DBA Africa. Throughout the year, we focused on cementing our brand identity while doubling down on our mission to foster talent and build the next generation of athletes. From empowering girls in sport to supporting grassroots development, our efforts have remained rooted in the belief that sport is a powerful vehicle for social change.

Through tailor-made programs and our strategic pillars, we have worked tirelessly to turn our vision into reality. Here are the key highlights and milestones from a landmark year.

Organizational Growth & Milestone Achievements

The year began with a significant institutional goal, attaining Public Benefit Organization (PBO) status. We are proud to announce that this was successfully achieved, providing us with a stronger legal and operational framework to expand our support for upcoming athletes and enhance our transparency as a leading NGO.

Grassroots Excellence & Life Skills

DBA Africa continued to manage and support seven academies countrywide. Our curriculum goes beyond the field, we placed a heavy emphasis on life skills training, ensuring our athletes are equipped with the intangible tools necessary for a smooth transition into life after their sporting careers.

The success of our academy model was highlighted by incredible individual achievements:

• Numerous girls in our programs secured local scholarships.
• A standout player from our Nairobi Rugby Academy landed an international scholarship to Kingsley School in Devon, UK, where he has become a pivotal member of the first team.

International Collaborations & Cultural Exchange

Believing in the power of global partnership, we collaborated with the Australian High Commission to bolster sport development in East Africa. This partnership directly benefited:

• Kenyan Female Hockey Clubs
• The Uganda National Rugby 7s Teams

These outfits received specialized coaching manuals and essential equipment, significantly enhancing their technical proficiency and operational capacity.

The Kevin McCool Memorial Fund & Athletics Race Fund (ARF)

In the "Home of Running," many athletes train for years without the means to compete. To address this, the Kevin McCool Memorial Fund supported 34 upcoming athletes by covering essential costs such as race entries, accommodation, transport, and meals. This initiative resulted in numerous personal bests for athletes and opened doors to professional opportunities.

Building on this momentum, we launched the Athletics Race Fund (ARF). Through crowdfunding and support from racing groups, the ARF allowed us to reach even more athletes, providing the visibility and access they need to elevate their professional careers.

Promoting Gender Inclusion: The Futures Cup

The 2025 Futures Cup served as a major catalyst for girls' inclusion in sport. We hosted a high-energy, five-team provincial tournament, with the Rift Valley Lakers emerging as champions. Following the tournament, we selected a "Dream Team" for a competitive tour of the Kenyan Coast. This exposure has already begun to pay dividends, with several players receiving sports scholarships to prestigious local schools.

Volunteerism & Community Engagement

We were delighted to host two international gap-year volunteers who dedicated their time to Kenyan sports development. Their efforts were instrumental in the seamless execution of the Futures Cup, the Kingsley Cup, and various DBA Rugby Academy fixtures.

Sustainability Through Merchandise

To strengthen our financial sustainability, we launched an official DBA Africa merchandise range. Addressing a clear gap in the market for quality athletic apparel, the proceeds from these sales are reinvested directly into our sporting activities, ensuring the long-term sustainability of our grassroots initiatives.

Mental Health & Youth Empowerment: Laying the Groundwork for Tackle It

In 2025, DBA Africa laid the groundwork for Tackle It, a pioneering programme addressing mental health and wellbeing in schools through sport. The curriculum was developed, coaches were trained and pilot sessions ran successfully, establishing a strong foundation for the programme. The Barbarians Rugby Charitable Trust (BRCT) has committed as the first sponsor for the 2026 rollout, supporting the delivery of mental health education alongside structured rugby training in partnership with One2One Counselling & Health Services. Tackle It will create safe spaces for young people to build resilience, develop life skills, and access guidance on mental wellbeing, strengthening DBA Africa’s mission to empower youth holistically through sport.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we reflect on a year of "Grassroots to Greatness," we are energized for the future. We enter 2026 with a clear vision to build upon these successes, launch new projects, and continue creating winning stories for athletes across East Africa.

Thank you to our partners, donors, and athletes for making 2025 a year to remember.