Following the proven success of our flagship Rugby Academy in Nairobi, DBA Africa recognized the imperative to broaden our outreach and cultivate talent across Kenya county by county. This commitment led us directly to the Rift Valley region, a renowned powerhouse of athletic potential, to establish our first set of Satellite Rugby Academies.

Strategic Expansion and Exposure

This strategic expansion serves a dual purpose for DBA Africa. Firstly, it allows our Nairobi-based teams easier access to competitive fixtures in a new region, ensuring our athletes receive diverse and consistent match exposure. High-profile examples include the Kingsley Cup Tournament, which sees our Nairobi team travel to the Rift Valley, and the Futures Cup, where teams journey to Nairobi. This constant exchange ensures a high standard of play and necessary competitive experience.

A Talentbed for the Nation

The Rift Valley is globally recognized as a talentbed, consistently producing phenomenal athletes who go on to represent Kenya at the highest levels in all sports. Stars like Grace Okulu, John Okoth, and Oscar Ouma all trace their rugby development roots here, quickly progressing into national team duties.

The five active DBA Africa satellite academies are:

• New Life
• Nakuru Teachers
• Gilgil Vumbi
• Nakuru Athletic Club
• Turi Branches

These setups consistently produce spectacular athletes who transition successfully to top local clubs, including the newly included Menengai Oilers and the Nakuru Rugby Club. This talent pool is assessed through training sessions, festivals, and the inaugural Futures Cup Tournament, leading to the selection of the prestigious DBA Africa Rugby Dream Team that represented the best U15 athletes on a recent tour to Uganda.

Inspiring Visits & Global Mentorship

Our commitment is hands-on. Academy Head, Philip Wamae, recently concluded an inspiring tour across these Rift Valley setups, starting in Gilgil and finishing in Nakuru. He was profoundly impressed by the robust academy structures and the volume of young athletes participating.

A key highlight was the commitment to mentorship. During his visit, Philip was joined by two UK-based athlete educators, including former Springbok Thinius Delport and former England national team player Paul Sampson, who conducted an educational seminar focused on getting into rugby.

Philip noted that the focused attention on coaching explains why both the men's and women's development teams continue to dominate events such as the Futures Cup. He noted the inclusivity: "Their program is so robust that the girls play with the boys and seem equally matched, a true testament to inclusive development. They have a very big pool of players, Rugby is played in Rift Valley."

The Critical Pathway for Social Mobility

DBA Africa maintains a deep commitment to the full, long-term sustainability of these Rift Valley academies. Critically, the athletes from these programs predominantly originate from marginalized areas. For them, rugby is not just a sport; it is a vital pathway for social mobility and access to education. Consequently, the continued operation of these essential programs relies heavily on external financing and dedicated support.

To solidify this commitment, in 2023, DBA Africa established the U13s Kingsley Cup in Nakuru, hosted at St. Andrews Turi, Molo, and funded by Kingsley School in Devon, UK, providing crucial competitive opportunities for these youngest athletes.

We are actively working to replicate this success model to empower more young athletes across Kenya. You can see the caliber of young talent being developed through structured programs in this clip. Join us as we continue to build a sustainable future for Kenyan rugby talent. DONATE HERE.