IAPS Kenya U13 squad to feature at Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s unveiled

The country’s governing body; Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has unveiled the International Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS) Kenya U13s squad set to play at the Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s tournament.

The youngsters are set to depart for the United Kingdom on Friday 15 March 2024.

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The tournament has evolved into the world’s largest rugby tournament with over 10,000 boys and girls aged 11 – 18 competing annually.

The side will be captained by Francois Cloete from The Banda School. Cloete is joined by his schoolmates Jake McRae and James de la Rey. St Andrews Turi which serves as the training camp for Shujaa has produced Bahati Mnozya and Osaki Dickson. Others are Tristan Kwach from Kenton College, Nana Opoku Nyame, and Shaun Mutibwa all from Peponi House.

They will play out of Pool B in the boys U13 National Sevens preparatory category alongside Millfield Preparatory School, Felsted School, St. Paul’s School, Tauton School, and The Elms School on March 21.

Two days later, they will play in the National Schools 10s tournament taking place at the Caldicott School and will do battle with teams from England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and Dubai.

This team boasts of great success stories in the past. In the previous years, it produced players who have gone on to play representative rugby for Kenya including Michele Brighetti, Dominic Coulson, Mark Mutuku, Jeff Mutuku, Owain Ashley, George Kyriazi, and Josh Weru who famously made his debut for the Simbas at the Rugby World Cup 2023 Final Qualification Tournament in November 2022 in Dubai.

Also travelling with the team as part of the coaching staff is internationally capped scrum-half Michael Wanjala who currently plays his club rugby for former Kenya Cup champions KCB.

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Kenya U13 IAPS Travelling Squad: Tristan Kwach (Kenton College, Captain), Francois Cloete (The Banda School, Captain), Jake McRae (The Banda School), Essien Lewis (Braeburn Garden Estate), James de la Rey (The Banda School), Timothy Gichuha (Kenton College), Kian Murigah (Pembroke House), Spencer Thorrington (Pembroke House), Nana Opoku Nyame (Peponi House), Shaun Mutibwa (Peponi House), Bahati Mnozya (St. Andrew’s Turi), Osaki Dickson (St. Andrew’s Turi)

COACHES: Henry Snow (Pembroke House), Michael Wanjala (Peponi House), John Paul Stansfield (Braeburn Garden Estate)