Agunda set for one-month coaching exchange program in Japan

Former Kenya international and Dream Believe Achieve (DBA) Africa coach Patrice Agunda is set to depart from the country to attend a one-month coaching exchange program in Japan.

The educational experience was organized through a partnership between DBA and Wazi Wazi, a Japanese corporation supporting Kenyan sporting talents, which aims to upskill Kenya's rugby coaching knowledge.

It is a life-changing program with an ambitious goal of elevating the coaching expertise not just at the DBA rugby academy, but in the country.

During his stay there, he will have the opportunity to work alongside renowned coaches like Eddie Jones, and the newly appointed team manager, Toshiaki Hirose, with the Japanese national rugby team.

Through this exchange, Agunda will be involved with both the Japanese national team's training camp and the under-20 camp.

Additionally, he will be on the sidelines for Japan's matches against the New Zealand Māori and England.

His trip comes at a crucial time when Japan welcomes England for the first time ever. He will be hoping to pick the necessary lessons

Agunda is a decorated player in both the Kenyan sevens and 15s teams.

He is part of the coaching staff at Kenya Harlequins and the DBA Rugby Academy at Kenton College.

He will be aiming to use the knowledge and experience gained from this exchange to open doors for him to pursue bigger coaching opportunities, both in Kenya and abroad.

Commenting on the move, head of the DBA Academy who also doubles up as the Kenya U20 assistant coach, Kenny Andola, noted that the eye-opening experience for Agunda will be key in driving DBA to another level, even as the second edition fast approaches

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"Giving him exposure to a top international coaching set-up is a dream come true for him, and I know the knowledge and experience he will gain will be a huge benefit to us at DBA, our coaches, athletes and Kenyan rugby as a whole," Andola offered.

Agunda is expected back at the end of June.

At the same time, DBA Africa founder Storm Tretham announced that plans are underway to make the second edition of the Future’s Cup bigger and better. It is slated for July 12–14.

The Future’s Cup is an age-grade tournament organized by DBA Africa in partnership with the Kenya Rugby Union and the Uganda Rugby Union.

It gives talented Under 15 players an opportunity to showcase their skills.

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