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AIPS Kenya U-13 Sevens team will be making 10th appearance in the global tournament.
The International Association of Preparatory Schools (AIPS) Kenya U-13 Sevens team departed on Friday for the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens tournament in England.
The tournament, which has a history of producing professional rugby players, returns after a two-year covid-enforced absence and kicks off on March 23.
AIPS Kenya contingent consists of 12 players drawn from the 10 AIPS schools across the country and three technical bench members led by coach Jim Ross who is optimistic of a better show at the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens.
“I can’t tell you how excited we are to be taking a very talented group of 12 boys from the 10 IAPS schools. We are really looking forward to the event, we are very excited about the warm up matches and the whole tour.
“This is an exciting opportunity for these players to display what they can do on an international stage. Looking at the bigger picture this is one of the foundations from which to build an age grade development program,” said Ross.
AIPS Kenya U-13 squad will be captained by Teshen Waire and includes Sotei Lopokoyit, son of former Mean Machine and Kenya centre Andrew Lopokoiyit and Ogwe Ng’ong’a whose father, Edwin, featured for Lenana School, Mean Machine, Kenya and English club side Blackheath RFC.
The team is in Pool E of the National 7s Preparatory Schools category for the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens tournament alongside Beaudesert Park, Brighton College, Lord Wandsworth College, Mill Hill & Belmont and Sedbergh Prep.
AIPS Kenya will kick off the Pool E games against Brighton College before facing the other five teams in their category on March 23.
The schools are regular participants in the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens and have participated in the tournament for the past nine seasons.
Throughout the years the school has produced some of the best players at senior and U-20 levels including Michele Brighetti, Dominic Coulson, Mark Mutuku, Jeff Mutuku, Owain Ashley, George Kyriazi and Josh Weru, who famously made his debut for the Simbas at the Rugby World Cup 2023 Final Qualification Tournament last November in Dubai.
Kenya U13 IAPS Travelling Squad
Teshen Waire (The Banda, Captain), Sotei Lopokoiyit (Brookehouse, Vice-Captain), Ogwe Ng’ong’a (The Banda), Nathan Van Aswegen (The Banda), Toby Glen (The Banda), Jack Foxton (Pembroke House), Archie Camm (Pembroke House), Lionel Lawrence (Pembroke House), Essein Lewis (BGE), Nana Epoku Nyame (Peponi House), Jayden Collis (Kenton College), Zachary Rusagara (Kenton College) Head Coach: Jim Ross (Peponi House), Assistants: Cameron Roberts (The Banda), Michael Wanjala (Peponi House)
IAPS Kenya U-13 Sevens Fixtures at the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens
Thursday March 23 2023
IAPS Kenya v Brighton College | 1.40pm
IAPS Kenya v Sedbergh Prep |3.20pm
IAPS Kenya v Beaudesert Park | 4.40pm
IAPS Kenya v Mill Hill & Belmont | 6.00pm
IAPS Kenya v Lord Landsworth College | 7.40pm
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