The Kenya Under-18 Rugby side will face their Uganda and Zimbabwe counterparts in August, coach Paul Odera has announced.
Odera and his technical bench are now finalising the list of 480 players who were picked during the regional and Term One ball games held in Machakos this month. The 480 will be downsized to 240 then later to 120
They will be later trimmed to 60 before a final squad of 45 players is selected for the two matches.
The former Kenya Simbas coach said they will conduct clinics in the nine Kenya rugby regions, where the players will familiarise themselves with tactics and strategy as well as educate the teachers.
“ If all goes well, the clinics should start in May. They will feature regional development officers, teachers and rugby school coaches. We intend to take them through what we are looking for,” noted Odera
The players have been picked from the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) regions including Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley ( North and South Rift) Nairobi, Central, Eastern, North Eastern, Coast and North Eastern.
Following the clinics, the regions will play each other before the final squad is named for the matches against Zimbabwe and Uganda.
Plans are underway to have the team play a curtain raiser before the Elgon Cup in June, according to KRU development officer, Ronald Okoth.
Odera, a former Kenya Under-20 coach, said he was impressed by the talent on show during the Term One ball game Machakos and the regional finals held across the republic.
“I am amazed by the level of talent we have in this country. What we need is for them to get coaching and continuity to enable them to play rugby consistently and improve their skills," said Odera.
Unlike in the past when the focus has been on the public schools, this time, they want to involve international schools who are also actively participating in the selection process as per their curriculum calendars.
The teams that have confirmed participation include hosts Hillcrest, Peponi, Rift Valley Academy,(RVA) International School of Kenya (ISK) and Braeburn Schools.
According to Odera, this inclusive approach underscores the programme’s commitment to tapping into diverse talent pools across the country.
The long-term goal for the programme is to have a robust pathway towards the U-20 program and, ultimately, the Kenya Simbas. Private schools selection will take place on May 12.
