Highlands Primary school clinched the Dairibord Schools Rugby Festival trophy on Wednesday after dismissing Gwinyai Primary school of Mbare 17 to 10.
By Tendai Chisiri
The primary segment unlike other secondary school games was a knock out tournament to motivate the youngsters to play whole heartedly.9 teams featured in the knock out tournament which was highly competitive as the kids battled for the trophy.
Highlands beat Chipindura in the semi- finals 26 to 00 to book a place the final berth whilst Gwinyai thrashed Avondale 29 to 00 to meet Highlands in the final. The final was superb as all the teams were convincingly champions during play with the last minute whistle revealing the winners in a tense match.
Mr Daniel”JB” Wasili, coach at Gwinyai Primary school was left an elated man.”We introduced rugby at the school last term in March, so I am not disappointed by the results”, he said. He commended Dairibord for letting primary schools feature at the Festival.”The Festival is good for developmental as guys from the high- density areas hardly get games”, he said.
Mr Wasili who is also a development director with Hatcliff Bulldogs, Mbare Bull dogs, Kuwadzana Bulldogs and South lea Bulldogs said the parents in Mbare responded well about rugby at the primary school because Mbare Academy are winners of the U21 1st edition league.
Highlands’ assistant coach Linda Petros also applauded Dairibord for letting primary schools showcase their rugby prowess.”Dairibord did a good thing and they should have done it long time ago. It was very tough for us to get into the finals as the tournament was competitive”, she said.
She also had high hopes that some of her students will find scholarships to study at Prince Edward.”Prince Edward staff approached us asking names of our man of the match in the matches we won. We hope they will be enrolled at Prince Edward next year”, she said. She also attributed their success to the school’s rugby head coach Passion Kanyemba.
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