Rugby is still an uncommon sport in many girls’ schools across the country, with the game traditionally associated with boys.
Concerns over safety, limited resources, inadequate equipment and a shortage of coaches trained in women's rugby have often kept girls away from the game. In some schools, available resources are channelled into more established disciplines.
However, at Mwatate Day Secondary School in Taita-Taveta County, the girls are proving that with the right support, rugby can thrive. The school administration has put structures in place to support the team, providing playing kits and facilitating travel whenever the girls head out for competitions.
For Form Four student Caroline Akinyi, the support has helped to transform the school into a rugby powerhouse not only in the county, but also the country.
The team has more than 20 players drawn from different levels, with training sessions held daily between 4pm and 6pm.
Two teachers work alongside the coach to ensure the players train consistently and get opportunities to test their skills through friendly matches.
Akinyi says becoming a good rugby player requires discipline, persistence and commitment.
"Players must remain physically fit and embrace teamwork," she says, noting that in rugby, individual brilliance must be complemented by collective effort.
For 17-year-old Form Four student Esther Ouko, one of the team's biggest achievements this year was competing at the national level at the secondary schools' games.
The journey began at the sub-county level, where Mwatate faced Mwasere Girls High School before progressing through the various stages of competition.
At the county level, the team battled several opponents and eventually emerged victorious in the group stage. This gave the players the confidence to push even further. Their reward was a place at the national championships held at the M-Pesa Foundation Academy in Thika.
For Ouko, reaching the national stage was an unforgettable experience. She says meeting teams from different parts of the country exposed the players to a higher level of competition and gave them valuable lessons that they will carry into future tournaments.
The preparation, she says, required sacrifice, with the players reporting for early-morning sessions that included running and ball-handling drills. Ouko explains that rugby demands both physical strength and tactical awareness.
In the 15-a-side version, two teams of 15 players compete over two 40-minute halves, while the seven-a-side format is faster and more demanding in terms of speed and quick decision-making. It is more intense and comprises seven players who compete over two seven-minute halves.
Looking ahead, Ouko dreams of becoming a professional rugby player while pursuing a career outside sport. She urges parents to support their children in different sporting disciplines, saying talent can open doors to scholarships and employment opportunities while helping families meet education costs.
Beyond rugby, Mwatate Day Secondary School is also making its mark in other sporting disciplines, including handball and football for both boys and girls.
For the young rugby players, however, the ambition is clear — to build on their county success, compete at the highest level and prove that the future of women's rugby can be built from the grassroots.
Mwatate's coach, Mwakaya Mwabusa, explains that the school's rugby journey began in 2024, when the team reached the sub-county level.
He describes the players as committed and determined, saying their focus during training is always on improving their performance and winning matches.
Mwabusa says co-curricular activities play an important role in students' development because they give learners an opportunity to refresh their minds, build confidence and discover their talents.
He credits the school administration for supporting the rugby programme and creating an environment where the girls can pursue their sporting ambitions.
