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Rueben Kumpasa, ZRU national women’s development manager

Sports Reporter
EIGHT teams will compete at the third edition of the Zimbabwe Rugby Union’s organised National Girls Cup final set for Bulawayo’s ceremonial home of rugby, Hartsfield Ground today.

Rueben Kumpasa, the ZRU national women’s development manager said 2014 winners Girls College and Vainona High School will represent Harare with Goromonzi carrying Mashonaland East’s hopes.

Chitungwiza are sending two schools with Bulawayo being represented by St Bernard’s, Northlea and Nkulumane.

The reigning champions Amhlophe will not defend their title after performing badly in the qualifiers.

“This tournament has been running for three years as part of ZRU’s efforts to develop the sport among women.

“I believe we’ve made good strides in as far as developing women’s rugby at grassroots with a number of schools taking up the sport.

“We’ve had coaches going around the country training children as part of our grassroots development programmes,” said Kumpasa.

Matabeleland Rugby Football Board (MRFB) secretary-general Craig Change made a passionate plea to rugby sport lovers in Bulawayo to support the girls’ sport.

He said MRFB which aims at establishing partnerships with schools for development purposes, colleges and universities to increase their presence believes that the girls who will play at today’s tournament are the future of Zimbabwean rugby.

“These children need everyone’s support to gain confidence and continue playing rugby.

“Schools’ rugby is the foundation of our sport and our plea as MRFB is for the people of Bulawayo to come and enjoy some fun-filled rugby.

“We are also appealing to the corporate world to come and see what the future of Zimbabwe’s women rugby is like,” said Change.

He said next week Hartsfield Ground will host a Sevens Tournament for Southern Region teams.