When the 2025 Safari 7s came to life at RFUEA Grounds, the focus was not only on the athletes but also on those ensuring the game ran seamlessly behind the scenes. Three DBA Africa coaches were part of the tournament operations, taking on roles that demanded precision, teamwork, and professionalism. Their involvement reflects DBA’s dedication to coach development in Kenya and its mission to build world-class leaders who raise standards across African rugby.

Knight Otwoma:

For Knight Otwoma, DBA’s U13 boys coach, the Safari 7s offered a chance to operate at the technical heart of the event. Working in the match coordination zone, Knight managed critical elements such as warm-up schedules, coin toss timings, and tunnel entry to keep matches on time.

“The experience exposed me to different coaching styles and game management techniques,” Knight shared. “Watching how teams and officials operated helped me improve how I plan sessions, communicate with players, and handle pressure during matches.”

The tournament sharpened her time management and attention to detail, key skills that strengthen both her officiating and coaching practice. Her experience reinforces DBA’s drive to align grassroots rugby with international officiating standards, ensuring that young players and coaches learn discipline, structure and respect for process early in their journeys.

Elizabeth Nekesa:

The DBA U15 Girls Coach Elizabeth Nekesa, served as liaison for Team Tunisia, managing logistics, communication and player welfare. Her coordination ensured the visiting team could focus fully on performance while adapting comfortably to the Nairobi tournament environment.

“Working with the Tunisia ladies’ team taught me how empathy and structure create confidence,” she said. “Those are lessons I now bring to my girls at DBA every day.”

Elizabeth’s experience highlighted the power of female leadership in rugby coaching in Africa and demonstrated how cultural understanding and clear communication improve performance and cohesion. Her exposure to international team operations strengthens DBA’s commitment to building inclusive coaching environments, where empathy, planning and professionalism combine to create safe and empowering spaces for all,including  girls in sport.

Oduor Nyang: 

For Leeon Oduor Nyang, DBA’s U15 coach and Social Media Manager, working as liaison for Shujaa was a blend of logistics, leadership and connection. “I was the 14th player,” he said. “My job was to make sure everything off the pitch ran as smoothly as the boys played on it.”

From transport coordination and meal scheduling to kit management and hydration, Oduor ensured the team maintained rhythm and readiness. His biggest takeaway was understanding how elite teams balance structure, communication and motivation across long tournament days.

“Being part of the national team deepened my sense of purpose and discipline,” he reflected. “It taught me to anticipate needs and maintain a strong team culture.”

The experience also provided valuable insight into player management and high-performance communication, skills that will strengthen DBA’s training environments and content creation. By bridging coaching and media, Oduor now brings a clearer understanding of how to tell the DBA story through action and impact, showing how global exposure improves not only coaching but also the visibility of African rugby.

Raising Standards, Growing Leaders

The participation of Knight, Elizabeth, and Oduor at Safari 7s represents more than individual growth. It showcases DBA Africa’s role in sports development in Africa and its long-term commitment to creating pathways for coaches to gain real-world experience. These opportunities turn lessons learned abroad into progress at home, strengthening the technical, operational, and cultural fabric of rugby in Kenya.

“Seeing our coaches take part in the Safari 7s reminds us that leadership is learned through service,” said Pius D. Shiundu, a DBA Africa representative. “Every experience like this builds confidence, knowledge and the professional standards our game needs to grow.”

Through mentorship, global partnerships and applied learning, DBA Africa continues to help develop well-rounded coaches who not only train athletes but also shape the systems that support them. This is what it means to move from grassroots to greatness one experience, one leader, one opportunity at a time.