UAE Rugby coach Philadephia Orlando reflects on growth of women’s rugby in Kenya
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 17.02.26. | 16:42
The tactician flew from the UAE to support the Lionesses, who were making their HSBC SVNS 2 debut. The ladies finished fifth after earning four points from a lone win over Brazil
Two-time Olympian and former Kenya Lionesses captain Philadelphia Orlando has been witnessing firsthand the remarkable growth of women’s rugby in the country.
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Speaking to Mozzart Sport during the HSBC SVNS Division 2 held in Nairobi over the past weekend, Orlando, who is now serving as the head coach of the UAE Rugby women’s team, shared her reflections.
The tactician flew from the UAE to support the Lionesses, who were making their HSBC SVNS 2 debut. The ladies finished fifth after earning four points from a lone win over Brazil.
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“I came to support the Lionesses. I am a lover of sport, the Lionesses, because I have been there. So being here, seeing the girls grow, and do what they do, is one thing that I love the most,” Orlando said.
For the Emirati coach, her excitement comes from seeing the professionalisation of the women’s game in Kenya. Orlando played during a time when women’s rugby was still struggling with visibility, exposure, and skills.
“Back then, rugby was a hardship thing, but I am happy now that I look back at how the game has grown in Kenya.
I am a happy soul. Now, at least women are under contract, which is a good thing for me because it is promoting more ladies to join this sport,” she explained.
Orlando believes that hosting global tournaments in Kenya, like the HSBC SVNS 2, has a positive ripple effect on the sport.
“More people are watching; more girls will get interested in the game. Seeing lots of fans supporting the women just as they support the men makes me a very happy soul,” she revealed.
She was appointed the UAE rugby coach in February 2022, just a day before her birthday. Four years later, she admits that the Arabian nation has become a second home for her.
“UAE is awesome. It is my second home; they have embraced me, they love me, and they supported me to come back and support the Lionesses. To me, it’s the UAE and Kenya; they are my family,” she said.
Reflecting on her dual role as both mentor and former player, Orlando sees a bright future for women’s rugby in both Kenya and the UAE.
“It’s beautiful to witness the growth. The game is becoming more professional, more inclusive, and more inspiring for the next generation,” she concluded.
Orlando’s journey in rugby is nothing short of inspiring. She captained the Lionesses to 10th place at the Tokyo Olympic Games in July and represented Kenya at the Rio Olympics, when rugby sevens made its Olympic debut five years earlier.
Her coaching path began while still playing in Kenya, where she completed courses in 15s, sevens, and strength and conditioning.
Following a collaboration between the UAE Rugby Federation (UAERF) and the then Rugby Africa President Khaled Babbou, Orlando applied for the UAE coaching role and soon relocated to Dubai.
Within weeks, she had her first competitive encounter with the all-Emirati squad at the Arab Women’s Sevens in Tunisia, where the UAE returned home with a bronze medal.