All set for youth beach rugby tournament in Kwale

The Diani Beach in Kwale County will play host to some
scintillating rugby action this weekend as the South Coast Youth Beach Rugby
tournament goes down place at the Alliance Safari Beach Hotel.
Following the success of the South Coast Fives touch rugby
tournament held at the same venue in July, event organizers have decided to up
the ante and have a full contact youth rugby tournament on the shores of one of
Kenya’s most pristine beaches.
The event, the first of its kind in the region, will feature
players under the age of 18 who are part of or affiliated with the South Coast
Pirates rugby academy, and rugby teams from the coast region in general.
This is in an effort to showcase the work done by the
academy in raising the profile of rugby in a region where it is not a major
sport.
An impressive sixteen teams, including four girls’ sides have
confirmed their participation for the event.
Speaking to Citizen Digital, Leon Lubanga who is the Kenya
Rugby Union Regional Development Officer lauded the South Coast Pirates for
setting the pace when it comes to grassroots rugby development at the coast.
“I'm really excited about the good job the South Coast
Pirates is doing to grow rugby in the region by investing in the player
development pathways from age grade rugby to senior levels.
“It is great seeing their coaches involved in coaching
activities in different schools within Kwale County especially the girls’
schools,” he said.
The tournament adds to efforts to find a perfect convergence
spot for sports and tourism.
“Beach soccer, surfing, beach volleyball, and sports fishing
competitions are some of the sports that have the power to boost visitor
numbers for a tourism sector that has taken a hit from COVID-19.
“There is also a need to help nurture sporting talents
within our communities and we are setting a platform where all this can happen,”
the Alliance Hotels Senior Sales and Marketing Manager Suzanne Gathitu said.
Games will kick from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on both days and
will use a league based format. The coast branch of the Kenya Rugby Referees
Association will provide technical expertise over a two-day referee training
course and will monitor each game.
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