Odera leads selection of U-18 rugby players at RFUEA

Select rugby players from different parts of the country gathered at the RFUEA Grounds, Nairobi for the National U-18 men’s rugby team trials, on Sunday.

The event which marked the culmination of four months of intense trials attracted 240 players from various regions.

Head of the Kenya U-18 program Paul Odera underlined the importance of the trials, in building a cohesive team.

"This is the future of Kenyan rugby because these young men are the ones who will feed into Chipu, Shujaa, Simbas, and top clubs. You’re looking at the future of the game right here," he explained.

Currently, the focus is on the U18 age group, but Odera is optimistic that next year will see the inclusion of younger players.

"We will organise this again next year, as we aim to introduce the U-16 age group program," he added.

Odera also stressed the need for a youth rugby series, saying it would provide a vital platform for the young athletes to showcase their abilities.

"Of course, a youth series is the place to go. There's definitely a need for that for these young men to showcase what they can do," he said.

Of the 240 players who participated in the trials, only 60 will make the team, and from that group, 30 players will be selected for the main U-18 team.

"Once you're among the 60, you are part of the Kenya U-18 squad for 2024. We'll continue to monitor form and injuries to make the adjustments as needed," Odera noted.

"The ultimate goal is a training tour in South Africa, where the team will play competitive matches to allow the young players gain international experience," added Odera.