The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
THE stage has been set for all aspiring Sevens rugby players to try their luck and impress selectors when the Sable Summer Series kicks off at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
The tournament is part of a two-week Sevens’ rugby bonanza that will culminate in the country hosting Botswana and Zambia in the Zambezi Challenger slated for April 9 and 10 at the same venue.
Overall, 12 men, six women and six junior clubs will converge at Harare Sports Club’s Machinery Exchange grounds and slug it out for the right to represent the country at the Zambezi Challenger.
These include Old Georgians, Harare Sports Club, Old Hararians, Pitbulls, a Harare Select side, Mabvuku, a Zimbabwe Under-20 team, Gweru, Old Crestonians, Mutare Sports Club, Matebeleland One and Two in the senior men’s section.
The ladies’ category will include Cheetahs White, Cheetahs Black, Harare, Bulawayo, Matabeleland and Manicaland province teams.
“Over the last year or so, we have been building up an academy set-up comprising mainly local-based players, all in the hope of preparing the Cheetahs for upcoming fixtures at the Africa Cup Sevens tournament and the World Cup qualifiers,” said Cheetahs’ head coach Graham Kaulback.
“Our philosophy at the academy is all about grooming local talent, grooming grassroots rugby, investing in local rugby and providing opportunities for local rugby players.
“Going into this weekend is one of those opportunities, where, through the support of Sable Chickens, which is one of the Cheetahs’ silver sponsors, we have put on this tournament.
“The goal is to expose 12 men’s teams, six ladies and six junior teams to competitive rugby at Harare Sports Club.
“We want to grow local talent, nurture it and identify whatever local rugby talent is out there,” he said.
Kaulback said the Cheetahs’ technical team will also try to identify new players that can be called into the academy.
