Kiambaa Ladies are proving that the gap between school and senior women's rugby can be bridged. Their innovative player-development pathway is helping a group of schoolgirls gain valuable experience on the National 7s Circuit before going on to conquer East Africa.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsThe Kiambaa Ladies club has created a pathway that allows talented youngsters from Kinale School to compete against established senior teams while continuing their education.Rather than waiting until the players finish school to introduce them to senior rugby, coach Allan Bush has chosen to expose them to the demands of the National 7s Circuit early in their development.The bold approach has already produced significant results.##NAJAVA_MECA_9936487##Kiambaa Ladies announced themselves on the circuit at the opening Prinsloo 7s, where they stunned a star-studded Kenya Harlequin Queens 21-17 to reach the Main Cup final.They eventually finished runners-up after losing 19-0 to Mwamba Ladies, but the performance demonstrated that the schoolgirls could compete with some of the country's established women's sides.Their impressive run continued at the penultimate Embu 7s, where they once again reached the Main Cup final.Kiambaa beat Impala Roans 19-0 in the semi-final after earlier defeating Kenya Harlequin Queens 19-15 in the group stage, before narrowly losing to the Quins in the final.Ntabeni Dukisa outlines areas that denied Kabras maiden Embu 7s titleFor Bush, the objective has never been to collect results. The National 7s Circuit is part of a deliberate pathway designed to prepare the players for the next level.“I don't just have players; I have warriors who are defending a badge and ready to fight for their place despite their age. They are swimming in the deep end,” Bush said.The coach believes the experience of facing senior players has accelerated the development of the youngsters in ways that school rugby alone cannot provide.“The National 7s Circuit is intense. Playing in a weekend alongside teams like Impala, Mwamba and Quins isn't everyone's cup of tea. It is more brutal, but the girls have withstood it and surpassed my expectations. In high-school rugby, it is rare to encounter more than three brutal games in an entire season,” he continued.The exposure has particularly sharpened Kiambaa's defensive game, with Bush pointing to the team's ability to restrict experienced opponents.“Defensively, they are top-notch. No game, no team has scored more than three tries against us,” he said.Club representation breakdown of 14 Kenyan stars at inaugural Ultimate 7sHe also believes the players have developed a better understanding of basic rugby and decision-making under pressure.“The basic rugby is a nut to crack for many teams. The girls are doing it perfectly, letting the ball do the work for you,” he offered.Bush says Kiambaa's philosophy is built around challenging the players beyond their age group.“Since they started playing rugby, they rarely play in their age category. We love tough competition. We challenge ourselves with the big girls, from Bingwa Fest to now the National 7s Circuit and soon to Kenya Cup,” he said.That exposure has coincided with success in school rugby, but the biggest indication of the pathway's potential came when the players stepped onto the East African stage.Kiambaa's schoolgirls went on to win the FEASSA rugby 7s title, providing a major reward for the decision to expose them to senior competition.Amonde highlights strengths that propelled KCB to Embu 7s gloryFor Bush, seeing Grade 10 players lift a regional title was both remarkable and evidence that the pathway is working.“It's crazy for Grade 10s to bag the title. It was pure madness. They dreamt it and made it happen,” he said.Bush sees the East African title not as the end goal but as another step in the players' development.“They were motivated, having achieved this milestone through hard work and sweat. It was a stepping stone to next year's target, now that most of the players will be more mature and ready to defend this greatness.”More importantly, the National 7s experience has changed the players' perception of what is possible.“Exposure to stronger competition is one of the most powerful tools for player development. Competing against senior teams in Kenya challenged our players to grow physically, tactically and mentally. It forced them to make decisions under pressure and understand what it takes to compete at a higher level.The biggest victory is seeing how that exposure has transformed the team. Players who once doubted themselves now believe they can compete with anyone,” he continued.For Bush, that transformation is perhaps more significant than the trophies.“One of the most rewarding parts of coaching is seeing players develop in ways you never expected,” he said.He has watched shy players develop confidence and leadership, while others have overcome technical weaknesses to become reliable performers.“What stands out most is seeing young players take ownership of their development, making better decisions, communicating, supporting their teammates and showing resilience when things don't go their way,” he offered.The next step could see the pathway extend into the Kenya Cup competition, allowing the players to continue their progression from school rugby to senior women's rugby.Kenya Simbas back-rower joins French clubBush is confident the youngsters can eventually establish themselves among Kenya's best.“It's possible and their time is coming. Age is just a number that comes with experience. Right now, we are gathering the experience; we shall be there at the top,” he revealed.But the Kiambaa pathway is not solely about producing rugby players.Why Strathmore Leos' Patrick Kluivert went against the grain to play rugbyBush wants the girls to leave the programme equipped both on and off the field, with education remaining a key component of their development.“I want educated players with good morals who would not fall for the culture surrounding women's rugby. Our slogan remains: there is life after rugby,” he concluded.
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