This past weekend, DBA WaziWazi Academy finished as runners-up at the Turi 7s Rugby Tournament, delivering a strong showing against some of East Africa’s most established school and academy teams. The final match, a close contest against hosts St. Andrew’s Turi, capped off a weekend of growth, grit, and valuable experience for a squad made up largely of players from informal settlements and public schools in Nairobi.

Only two of the twelve DBA players came from international schools. The rest come from backgrounds where access to basic needs, food, safety, education isn’t a guaranteed. Six players boarded the team bus for the two-day trip with nothing but their worn-out boots around their necks. No spare clothes. No toothbrush. Just the boots and a desire to learn and play. It’s a reality that puts their performance into perspective.

For many, this was their first time on a sports tour. Staying overnight at a school like Turi, walking onto manicured pitches, and playing in a structured tournament environment was a step into a very different world. And yet, they held their own. Over the course of the weekend, DBA beat several strong sides, recovered from tough moments, and played with growing confidence.

Day one opened with a win, followed by a tough loss to a small yet physical Ugandan academy aside. The boys regrouped, earned another victory, and progressed to the top-tier Trophy Pool. Day two included a match against the host team, and two more wins that set up a semi-final showdown. There, DBA produced one of the comebacks of the tournament, overturning a 5-14 first-half deficit to reach the final 26-19.

Facing St. Andrew’s Turi again, the final was always going to be a challenge. DBA WaziWazi gave everything, losing narrowly in a physical, low-scoring match 5-10. The difference in resources between the two sides was obvious, but it also highlighted DBA’s heart and determination.

This tournament showed what sports development should be about: opportunity. Giving young people from all backgrounds the chance to compete, to learn, and to grow. These boys train every Sunday often on empty stomachs. But they show up, they put in the work, and they keep improving. We thank the Turi organisers for the opportunity and hospitality

At DBA Africa, our goal isn’t just to develop rugby players, it’s to support youth development, promote inclusion, and use sport to open doors. The Turi 7s was another reminder of how much potential exists when that opportunity is made available.

As rugby continues to grow in Kenya and the wider region, we remain focused on levelling the playing field. With the right support, more players like these will go even further on the pitch and beyond it.