Currently, only Kenya has qualified in the Olympic Games for
the Women’s category. But Tunisia and Madagascar still stand a chance at the
Olympic Repechage. The Olympic Repechage is due to take place in Monaco on the
19th and 20th of June, with the Olympic games starting on the 29th to the 31st
of July for Women.
Through the leadership of Rugby Africa, African teams will
be coming together to prepare the qualified teams for the Olympic Games and
Olympic Repechage, with friendly tournaments and shared preparation camps.
With Covid-19, opportunities to play have been limited and
it has proven difficult for some teams to travel outside Africa. This will be a
first of its kind initiative, where the term Solidarity really takes on its
full meaning. Teams will share their experiences and learn from each other in
the process. Even though these games are only friendly encounters, teams will
gauge themselves against some of the best teams on the continent, to prove that
they can compete at the highest level.
On behalf of Société Générale, Pierre Caillaud, Head of
Sports Sponsorship said, “We are happy to emphasise our support for the
development of Women’s Rugby on the continent, through our participation as a
sponsor for the Women’s Sevens Solidarity Camp. Société Générale and Rugby have
a long history, over 30 years of commitment based on shared values: team-spirit
and respect. Ever since, the partnership
has continued to grow stronger and build initiatives at all levels, from
grassroots to professionals, both locally and internationally.
According to Paula Lanco, President of the Women’s Rugby
Advisory Committee, the year's camp is scheduled to start on the 29th of April
and is expected to end on the 9th of May. It will be hosted at La Maison du
Rugby in the sunny capital of Tunis, in Tunisia.
Speaking on the sidelines, Maha Zaoui, Women’s Rugby
Manager, teams are set to arrive on the 29th of April with key tournament dates
being on the 1st, 2nd, 7th, and 8th of May. Further to this expected to be part
of the encounter are teams from Kenya, Tunisia, and Madagascar.
Amara Nouredine, Director of the Tunisia Rugby Union, also
had the opportunity to share hisexcitement in hosting the inaugural event,
bolstering her organisations support of the #AfricaAsOne campaign, which is
broadly speaking to the Covid-19 challenges the game has faced in the last
year. As the host country, Tunisia counts on the support of their fans on social
media even though they can’t be present in the stadium due to Covid.
Camilyn Oyuayo, Team Manager of the Kenyan Lionesses,
expressed her excitement for her pride of players, noting that they had worked
exceptionally hard to achieve a high level of fitness and endurance, in time
for the Women’s Solidarity Camp. This was due to the Kenyan Lionesses having
commenced the preparation campaign with participation in the Madrid 7s and
Emirates 7s tournaments. Camilyn is convinced that working from the successes
and lessons of the past is the greatest asset that the team holds. In many ways
Rugby has entered a new normal, but the invaluable lessons of the past still
hold their worth in the game today. As the coaching staff, our goal is to be
clerics of Rugby, willing and able to share the story of the game with both
amateur and professional players.
Victor Lie-Andriavelomanana, CEO Malagasy Rugby thanked
Rugby Africa for showing its commitment to the sport through the Covid-19
pandemic, which assures fans and players alike that its leadership is
dependable and here to stay in the name of Rugby. He appropriately emphasised
the focus and determination of his staff and players, whom he believes will
raise the flag of Madagascar high, as they have ordinarily done in the past
years.
Streaming live from Rugby Africa platforms, this year's Women’s
Sevens Solidarity Camp will be yet again another progressive milestone for the
inclusion of women into the sport. Setting the tone for up-and-coming sports
women on the continent in Rugby, the Women’s Solidarity Camp aims to achieve an
exemplary showcase of talent and performance.
Quick Facts: Women’s Sevens Solidarity Camp
- Dates: 29 April – 9 May
- Venue: La Maison du Rugby, Tunis, Tunisia
- Teams arrive: 29 April
- Tournament: 1&2 May, 7&8 May
- Teams: Kenya, Tunisia, Madagascar
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