The Men’s Sevens Solidarity Camp promises to change the face of Rugby in Africa, open new ways, and opportunities for collaboration amongst coaching staff, players and more importantly fans.
www.RugbyAfrique.com) platforms, this year's Men’s Sevens Solidarity Camp will bring together champions of African Sevens Rugby under one camp. Fans will also be able to watch highlights on the action-packed fixtures on Supersport, where they will be able to see interviews and snapshots as well. The Men’s Sevens Solidarity Camp promises to change the face of Rugby in Africa, open new ways, and opportunities for collaboration amongst coaching staff, players and more importantly fans.
Currently only South Africa and Kenya have qualified for the Olympic Games in the men's category. But Uganda and Zimbabwe still stand a chance through the Olympic Repechage. The Olympic Repechage is due to take place in Monaco on the 19th and 20th of June with the Olympic Games Tokyo starting on the 26th to the 28th of July for Men.
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.
According to Andrew Owor, President Rugby Committee and
Vice-President Rugby Africa the Men’s Sevens Solidarity Camp inauguration will
take place on 6th May, and end on
the16th of May and as usual, much action, speed and intensity is expected for
the fans of the sport.
Steph Nel, Rugby Services Manager for Africa at World Rugby
announced that the venue for this season's fixtures will be at the leafy
Stellenbosch Academy of Sports and Markotter Sports Field in South Africa.
Neil Powell, Coach Sevens Blitzboks spoke broadly on the
readiness of his squad. According to Coach Powell, The Springbok Sevens team
returned to full training at their Stellenbosch Academy of Sport base this
week, with their eyes firmly fixed on their main goal for the season- success at
the Olympic Games in Tokyo in July.
‘We are extremely grateful for these tournaments, organised
by Rugby Africa, to give ourselves and Kenya another opportunity to prepare for
the games and hand Uganda and Zimbabwe playing time as they prepare for the repechage
tournament to the Olympics, that will take place in Monaco in June,” said Coach
Powell.
Michael Wandera Team Manager Uganda, which will be
participating this season, also chorused Powell’s sentiments by thanking Rugby
Africa for yet again dedicating time, resources and leadership in building the
sport continentally and most importantly providing a platform for teams to be
globally competitive.
Erick Ogweno Team Manager of Kenya looks forward to a
stellar performance from his athletes, believing that they have invested much
in discipline and endurance, which will guarantee the speed and agility of his
squad for the field of play. He exclaimed that the appetite for the sport has
seen tremendous growth in Kenya over the years and it is now more than ever
important for the coaching staff and players to deliver wins for the fans in
Kenya.
John Ewing, Team Manager Zimbabwe, anticipates an explosive
encounter for his team, which he has calibrated for a clinical performance in
the games scheduled. He spoke much of how teams have been through many
challenges around training due to Covid-19 related restrictions. However, he
strongly believes that much of what will decide the result of this year’s Camp,
will be based on the team that was most resourceful in the grey areas of
preparation.
Streaming live from Rugby Africa platforms, this year's
Men’s Sevens Solidarity Camp will bring together champions of African Sevens
Rugby under one camp. Fans will also be able to watch highlights on the
action-packed fixtures on Supersport, where they will be able to see interviews
and snapshots as well. The Men’s Sevens Solidarity Camp promises to change the
face of Rugby in Africa, open new ways, and opportunities for collaboration
amongst coaching staff, players and more importantly fans.
Overall, this initiative will grow the influence of Rugby in Africa, drawing more inquisitive eyes to the oval-ball. Such Solidarity will inspire both young and old, to follow a sport that has already taught Africa that it is possible to be a dominating world champion. It is in this spirit that Andrew Owor, Vice President of Rugby Africa, and President of the Rugby Committee, wished all the participating teams the best of luck in the forthcoming Men’s Solidarity Camp.
Watch day one:
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RugbyAfrique
- Dates: 6 – 16 May
- Venue: Stellenbosch Academy of Sports and Markotter Sports Field
- Tournament: 8 & 9 May – 14 & 15 May
- Teams: South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe
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