The Herald
Paul Munyuki
30 April 2009
Harare — THE Minister Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Senator David Coltart has called for the country’s schools to establish a rugby league structure that allows for relegation and promotion to help in the development of the game.
Senator Coltart gave special mention to Kyle College after they beat giants St George’s College at the Cottco Schools Rugby festival.
The minister was at Prince Edward where he also watched the biggest schools’ rugby jamboree, which has attracted more than 57 schools, this year.
“There should be a main league that sees teams being promoted and those that would not have done so well getting demoted to the lower league so that we allow the developing teams like Kyle College getting a chance to play the big sides,” he said.
Kyle College pulled a huge surprise when they beat the much fancied Harare side in the fifth game of the day on Tuesday in a mouth — watering encounter at Prince Edward’s Jubilee field.
There were a number of good performances on the day with the Churchill Bulldogs falling 13-15 to Falcon College in a match that left a lot to be questioned about the officiating.
But Kyle College wrote the success story of the day when they beat a team that is coached by Alex Nichols — a former Sables coach.
Coltart was pleased with the way Kyle College turned on the style on their way to victory.
It was such a sweet win that it got a touch of praise from Coltart when he presented the Prince Edward School rugby kit that was sponsored by South African Airways.
The festival has been sponsored by Cottco for the past 10 years and has been getting better and bigger with each passing year.
Most of the players who have made a big name for themselves both here and in South Africa — including Tendai “Beast” Mutawarira who is now playing for the Springboks — came through this rugby festival.
Tangai Nemadire, Daniel Hondo, Willis Magasa, Denford Mutamangira, Ryan Manyika Tich Makwanya and Danny Robertson also featured at the festival.
The curtain for the weeklong rugby showcase will come down on Saturday with a huge crowd expected at Prince Edward to grace the festival.
Results
MCC 19, Hillcrest 10; Milton 20, Gateway 0; Peterhouse 36, Plumtree 3; P.E. 20, Lomagundi 9; Kyle 15, St George’s College 10; St Johns College 36, Watershed 3; Falcon 15, Churchill 13; Glen Norah 2 24, Sobukazi 3; PE II 22, Mabvuku 5; Jameson 0, Mufakose 29; Ellis Robins 5, Nhowe 5; Kutama 36, Marlborough 0; Western Surbubs 17, BMC 15; Oriel 0, Trust College 71; PE II 39, Zengeza 0.
Under-16: Eaglesvale 19, Marondera 0; Gifford 0, Mutare 12; Mutoko 14, Mazowe 5; Heritage 7, Allan Wilson 14.