The Zimbabwe Rugby Union in conjunction with Mashonaland West Rugby Association officially launched the Mashonaland West Rugby Board in a ceremony attended by Zimbabwe Sables Rugby World Cup legend and Springbok Legend Adrian Garvey. Adrian Garvey played 35 Tests for the Zimbabwe Sables before crossing the Limpopo to turn out for the Springboks and making 28 test appearances for the Springboks.
The launch was organised by the Mashonaland West Rugbh Association Patron Honourable Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa. The Guest of Honour was the Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation Honourable Tinoda Machakarike. Also in attendance was the Senator for Norton Senator Chimene, the Zimbabwe Rugby Union Vice President Mr Losson Mtongwiza The Provincial Education Director for Mashonaland West, the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee President Masenda, the Chief Director in the Ministry of Youth,Sports,Arts and recreation Dr Benson Dube, the Acting Director General of the Sports and Recreation Commission Mr Sebastian Garikai , Ministry it Higher and tertiary education representatives. The launch was attended by Headmasters and District administrators, former and current Sables players, former Zimbabwe U20 Assistant Coach and Churchill Bulldogs Director of Rugby Geoff Madake among many other rugby luminaries.
The ZRU Vice President applauded the Mashonaland West Province for coming together to form the Rugby Association. He said this intertwined with one of the Zimbabwe Rugby Union’s objectives which is to spread the game of rugby to all areas in Zimbabwe. He also spoke of the benefits and principles of the game and how rugby can be a vehicle for social change through Discipline, Respect, Solidarity, Passion. The Vice President Mtongwiza pledged to assist the committee reach their ultimate goal of spreading rugby into the vast expanse of Mash West. The Unions education workforce will run World Rugby accredited courses in Coaching, Officiating, Strength and Conditioning and Medical to capacitate the rugby community of Mash West.
The President of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee Mr Admire Masenda weighed in with words of wisdom and challenged the parents to allow their sons and daughters to go out and try out their sports without impeding them and making the kids be hardline academics. He urged parents to balance the academia and the sports and recreation as sports is a billion dollar industry. He said parents watch the young sportspeople on television and celebrate them while they stop their own sports stars from going out to perform.
The newly elected Chairperson of the Mashonaland West Rugby Association Mr Courage Madzikatire said he looks forward to growing the game of rugby in Mashonaland West and having a functioning league for the Men and Women. He said they will also prioritise the grassroots and grow their rugby from there and hopefully come up with a Mashonaland Franchise team that will compete in the National League and Inter Provincials.
The patron of Mashonaland West Rugby Association Hon Temba Mliswa retraced the associations journey leading to the final launch. He pledged to fund the association until its firmly on its feet and running. He said he as the Member of Parliament will use rugby as a social change agent and soon Mashonaland West will be churning out Sables and Cheetahs players for both the men’s game and the women.
The deputy Minister Honourable Tinoda Machakarike pledged 100 balls to every District in Mashonaland West Crntral and he immediately gave the instruction that these balls be disbursed in the shortest turnaround time. He pledged to also make kit available for the teams in Mashonaland West through his private enterprise on his next visit to the Mashonaland West Rugby Association. The deputy Minister then Officially launched the Rugby Association.
The new Mashonaland West Rugby Association board is made up of the following in the Board Photo
seated from left to right
Miss R Adrego..Athletes Commission,
Mr T Mandiwanza..Convenor of selectors Mashwest,
Mr O Muhambi..Director of Rugby,
Miss F Dzivai..Vice Chairman,
Hon TP Mliswa…Patron,
Mr L Mtongiza..VP ZRU,
Mr C Madzikatire..Chairman MWRA,
Miss R Kambona…Administrator MWRA,
Mr Bonda Min of pry and sec Education,
Mr Chivandani..Committee member Mhondoro Ngezi District..
Standing from Left to right
Mr Chinyani..Committee member Kariba District,
Mr N Maboreke..Athletes Commission,
Mr S Chidyafodya…Committee member Hurungwe District,
Mr M Maunze…Treasurer,
Mr Phiri..TAG Rugby rep,
Miss D Gurupira..Ladies Rugby Rep,
Mr Tachiona..Commitee member Zvimba District,
Mr L Maidza..Tertiary institutions Rep,
Mr Mugwagwa…Committee member Norton District,
Commitee member Norton,
Mr T Mushayabasa..Commitee member Makonde District,
Mr C Bob…Committee member Norton
In absentia..
Mr Sakala…Private schools rep,
Mr B Mahari…Provincial Coach Director,
Miss P Pazani..Referees Rep.
Mr G Madake Convenor of Selectors
Mr F Mukoyi…NASH REP,
Mr R Chezhira..NAPH rep,
Mr I Dauti…Security Forces Rep