From the Frontline of Youth Development

DBA Africa is committed to deepening its roots across the continent, and earlier this month, our dedication took our team to the Coastal region of Kenya. Philip Wamae, our Head of Academies and Fixtures, undertook an extensive brief research and oversight trip to evaluate our existing presence, scout new opportunities, and forge strategic relationships.

The Mission: Strengthen, Scout and Structure

The primary objective for DBA Africa was dynamic for this trip:

• Monitor Progress: Gain deeper insight into the activities, coaching quality, and athlete development within our coastal academies.
• Strengthen Partnerships: Formalize and streamline operational terms with key regional clubs.
• Explore New Opportunities: Identify potential collaborators and fixtures or tournaments to offer broader exposure to our young athletes.

The first stop was a pre-scheduled meeting with the South Coast Pirates Club leadership in Ukunda to align our partnership for the Coast based academy.

We were able to build a foundation through a highly productive session that was held with the coaches at South Coast Pirates Rugby Club. He expressed enthusiastic support for integrating DBA academy sessions directly into the club, recognizing the crucial need for a structured pathway from youth academy to the senior team. We have come to discover that a lot of players start their rugby journeys in coastal based academies then transition into other teams, meaning the coastal academy is doing something right.

The Takeaway: The strong foundation established with the Head Coach provides an excellent basis for a meaningful collaboration focused on athlete progression.

Partnership and Performance in Mombasa

Saturday was dedicated to scouting new social impact partners and supporting our athletes in competition.

Meeting with Little Sports Organization (LSO)

We began with an insightful discussion with Michael Flynn from LSO, an organization focused on empowering the girl child through academic scholarships tied to sports participation.

• LSO's Impact: They have 20 girls scheduled to begin scholarship programs in local schools starting January 2026.
• Expansion Approved: LSO has secured County Government approval to operate directly within schools, significantly broadening access to young female athletes.
• Mutual Goal: DBA Africa and LSO agreed to explore an exciting domestic coastal tour for our DBA U15 girls' team to travel and play friendly fixtures.

U13 Touch Festival Support – Mombasa Sports Club

The trip culminated at the Mombasa Sports Club, where our young athletes participated in an exhilarating U13 boys and girls touch rugby festival. “I felt very lucky and delighted to be able to catch a glimpse of our talented athletes taking on the pitch during my short visit” said Philip.

• Performance: Both teams played three matches, proudly securing two wins and one loss each.
• Exposure: For many children, this marked their first time crossing the Likoni Ferry and visiting Mombasa Island—a confidence-building experience that reinforced team identity and motivation far beyond the rugby pitch.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Commitment

The trip successfully reinforced DBA's regional commitment, but it also brought a critical challenge to light:

Equipment Limitation at South Coast Academy: Training resources are currently shared with the senior club, resulting in frequent loss or inaccessibility of vital academy equipment. This inconsistency directly impacts the quality and structure of youth training sessions.

Conclusion and Recommendations:

The coastal visit has solidified key relationships and opened new pathways, notably with LSO. Moving forward, DBA Africa will prioritize addressing equipment security and allocation at the South Coast Pirates academy to ensure consistent, high-quality development for our young players and coaches.

DBA Africa remains dedicated to expanding its regional footprint and strengthening the development pipeline for the next generation of African athletes.