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05 June 2026

From All Black to Inspiring Mentor

Former Rugby Star Nick Williams Set to Visit DBA Africa Programmes

DBA Africa is absolutely thrilled to announce the upcoming visit of former professional rugby powerhouse and decorated athlete, Nick Williams. Currently serving as the Director of Rugby at Bryanston School in the UK, where Shujaa and Kabras player Rayvon (Forest) Amunga studied for 2 years, the former New Zealand star is heading to Nairobi to share his world-class expertise, engage with our youth programmes, join our outreach in Kibera and lead an exclusive coaching clinic for local Academy coaches.

A Legacy of Professional Excellence

Nick Williams boasts a rugby resume that commands immense respect globally. Starting his illustrious career in New Zealand, where he represented the legendary All Blacks at the Youth/Junior level and starred for the Blues in Super Rugby, his explosive style of play eventually took him north.

In Europe, Williams cemented his status as a fan favorite and a formidable force to be reckoned with. Known for his imposing size, dynamic carrying, and brute strength, he enjoyed highly successful, long-term stints with European giants Ulster Rugby and Cardiff Blues, earning individual accolades and silverware along the way.

 

A New Purpose: Mentorship and Resilience

However, his journey took a profound turn after a life-threatening cardiac arrest. Surviving this profound experience reshaped his perspective on life and sport, fueling a deep passion for education, safety, and athlete holistic development. So after hanging up his playing boots, Williams transitioned into high-performance coaching and mentorship.

Today, Williams uses his story to mentor the next generation, equipping young athletes with the resilience, mental fortitude, and life skills needed to navigate the challenges both on and off the pitch. All core attributes we advocate for at DBA Africa.

Cultural Exchange: The Nairobi Itinerary

Nick Williams is traveling to Kenya promoting Bryanston School at the highly anticipated Ndume 7s tournament. In alignment with DBA Africa’s commitment to raising the standard of local sports development, Williams has generously dedicated a large portion of his itinerary to giving back to the grassroots game.

He will be visiting our DBA Nairobi rugby academy to interact directly with our young athletes as well as coaching KGSA in Kibera. The crown jewel of his visit, however, will be a specialised Rugby Coaches Clinic for all Nairobi Academy and rugby coaches, designed to foster a rich cultural and technical exchange with local coaches.

Event Details

  • Host Venue: Kenton College, Nairobi
  • Focus: Age-grade coaching methodologies, high-performance training, and strategic player development.

Elevating Local Coaching Standards

This clinic represents a massive opportunity for the Nairobi rugby ecosystem. By hosting this session at Kenton College, DBA Africa aims to bridge the gap between local grassroots coaching and international elite standards. Twenty local coaches will gain direct insight into how age-grade and junior elite rugby is taught at the highest schoolboy levels in the UK and back in NZ, taking away invaluable drills, tactical knowledge, and modern mentoring techniques.

We extend our warmest welcome to Nick Williams and look forward to an impactful, inspiring week that will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy on our coaches and athletes alike.

Keep an eye on our website and social media platforms for exact dates, registration details for the coaches clinic, and live coverage of Nick’s time with DBA Africa.

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