Life Skills programme

The Big 5 Athlete Programme

The Big 5 is a blended, cohort-based development course for early- and mid-career athletes (ages 18*–35) across sports in Kenya, designed to provide the practical knowledge many athletes only access later in their careers. Delivered over eight weeks or as an intensive bootcamp, it combines live expert-led sessions, short asynchronous lessons and applied assignments that fit around training schedules. The programme covers nutrition on a budget, sports psychology, injury prevention and recovery, financial literacy, leadership, media and contracts, and career transition planning. By the end, participants are equipped with practical tools to improve performance, manage their finances and wellbeing, and plan for life during and beyond sport.

The Little 5 Athlete Programme

The Little 5 is a compact, age-appropriate life skills curriculum integrated into regular academy training for young athletes (ages 10–18). Delivered in short weekly sessions alongside sport, it ensures learning complements rather than disrupts training. The programme builds foundational personal development, emotional intelligence, health awareness, career exploration and social responsibility through interactive activities, discussions and roleplay. It focuses on helping young athletes make better decisions, understand themselves and others, develop dilligence and respect, and gain essential “life knowledge” that supports both their sporting journey and their wider development.

Stand with Kenyan athletes chasing their dreams.

The DBA Africa Athletics Race Fund empowers talented Kenyan athletes facing financial hurdles to compete. Many, despite being world-class in distance running, live on as little as £85 / $115 a month, struggling with race entry fees, travel, and essentials while training up to 180 km weekly.

Our fund provides crucial support by covering these expenses, allowing athletes to compete, attract management and sponsors, reach their full potential, and earn a sustainable living to support their families.

We rely on the generosity of athletics fans, sports enthusiasts, running lovers, and the global Kenyan sports community. You can contribute through:

• Affordable monthly contributions
• One-time donations (of any size)
• All funds directly cover race entry fees for athletes and, on a case-by-case basis, travel and accommodation.

Global collaborations nurturing Africa’s next coaching leaders.

DBA Africa is dedicated to forging robust coaching pathways that elevate careers and expand opportunities within sport.

Through strategic partnerships like Wazi Wazi, our coaches gain unparalleled international exposure. Patrice Agunda, a Nairobi Academy head coach, benefited from a month-long immersion in Japan, gaining invaluable insights into elite-level coaching. This experience propelled him to leadership roles with the Quins Women, the DBA Dream Team in Uganda, and ultimately as head coach of Kenya Harlequins.

Similarly, the Kingsley School facilitated a life-changing 6-month coaching placement in the UK for Hassan Ali, head of the DBA Rugby Academy in Western Kenya. This rare opportunity in a first-world sports environment allowed Hassan to significantly enhance his coaching skills, expand into multiple sports, and even coach club sides. His journey, now extended for a 9-month return, exemplifies how DBA Africa's grassroots partnerships open doors to global experiences, continuous skill development, and significant career progression for our coaching talent.

Australian High Commission x DBA Africa

Uganda’s Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams are set for a significant boost ahead of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2025, thanks to a dynamic partnership between the Australian High Commission, Uganda Rugby Union, and DBA Africa. By bridging Australia and Uganda’s rugby ecosystems, this collaboration reinforces the power of sports diplomacy while positioning Uganda’s Sevens squads for greater international success. It also aligns with DBA Africa’s mission to strengthen rugby development in East Africa, creating pathways for emerging talent to compete at the highest level.

In parallel, the Australian High Commission and DBA Africa have extended their impact through a strategic partnership with Kenya Women’s Hockey. As part of this initiative, the top 10 women’s hockey teams across Kenya will receive high-quality equipment and educational materials sourced from Hockey Australia. This support is designed not only to raise the competitive standard of women’s hockey in Kenya but also to promote gender equity and enhance coaching, player development, and grassroots engagement.

Together, these partnerships exemplify how international collaboration can empower local talent, build sustainable sports ecosystems, and promote regional unity through shared values of excellence, opportunity, and inclusion

Cheza Dimba - Investing in Grassroots Football

Cheza Dimba, a grassroots football tournament under Tujiamini na SportPesa, took place across eight regions in Kenya, providing a platform for young football talent to shine. Designed to bridge the gap between grassroots football and top-flight competition, the tournament gave regional teams an opportunity to compete at a higher level while gaining essential support. Held in top venues like Kinoru Stadium and Dandorra Stadium, Cheza Dimba tackled common challenges in grassroots football, including player eligibility, club structures, inadequate facilities and limited funding. Each winning team received a three-year sponsorship package worth KSh 250,000 annually, along with home and away kits, ensuring they had the resources to grow and compete effectively. The tournament also played a key role in promoting women’s football, with Greenblades SPASS FC becoming the first women’s team to secure a Cheza Dimba sponsorship. By providing structured support and meaningful investment, Cheza Dimba reinforced the importance of strengthening grassroots football as a foundation for Kenya’s football development.