National Youth Service rugby players during Kabeberi Sevens at RFUEA grounds on August 16, 2026.
Just three years after their formation, the National Youth Service (NYS) rugby club, the Spades, are causing ripples in the Kenyan game.
The lower-tier league side is now dreaming of making it to two more quarter-finals at the Kenya Rugby Union National Sevens Circuit.
Hot on the heels of making their maiden Cup quarters in Mombasa, the Spades get another chance to fight for a top eight appearance at the Embu Sevens this weekend and the Christie Sevens a week later.
The NYS Spades management is ready to throw in every resource to write their history.
The Spades showed their potential two weeks ago in Mombasa by topping their group unbeaten.
They stunned Kabeberi Sevens losing finalists Strathmore University Leos 15-12, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) 7-5, before sharing the spoils with Mwamba 5-5.
NYS got promoted to the 2026 National Sevens Circuit for the first time after finishing second overall in Division II last year. They participated at Prinsloo Sevens in Nakuru, winning one match against Kisumu as they got relegated to Division II.
They would settle for bronze in Division II at Dala Sevens before going on to win the division at Kabeberi Sevens to return to the main competition at Driftwood Sevens.
National Youth Service’s Dennis Walubengo (left) in action during the Kabeberi 7s Rugby Division Two final at RFUEA Grounds on August 16, 2026.
“Our target is to reach the quarter-finals at Embu and Christie Sevens, then think about Kenya Cup. We want a permanent place in Division I before we,” said NYS Spades pioneering head coach Martin Munga.
Munga attributed their rise in both the National Sevens Circuit and KRU Championship to discipline and teamwork, and the support from NYS Commandant General, James Kipsiele Tembur.
“When it comes to engaging the youth, NYS management is proactive. We have what we need,” said Munga.
NYS Spades pioneering head coach Martin Munga.
NYS head of sports, Benedict Matheka, noted that being the home of youth, NYS has stepped up to support several sports like rugby, basketball, handball, volleyball, netball and football.
“We want to be the centre of excellence in sports,” said Matheka.
Just how did rugby come about at the NYS?
Munga and Matheka said KRU approached them in 2023 to put up rugby structures at the institution, and they readily complied.
Matheka said that they recruited from NYS Training College and its subsidiaries as the management embarked on rehabilitating the facilities at NYS’ Ruaraka headquarters to align with the game of rugby.
“All the players are drawn from within and their determination to know every sport is evident,” said Matheka.
Matheka predicted that with support from NYS management, NYS would soon be a sporting giant and called for partnership with sports federations.
“We have 18,000 youth with us in Gilgil for four years. This is enough time to produce top talents in sports,” said Matheka.
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