Founders High School Coach Hails Lord Brighton BMT Rugby Festival as ‘Eye-Opening’ for Young Players
By Desire Tshuma
Nyabira — Founders High School rugby coach Ndumiso Tshuma has described the BMT Rugby Festival at Lord Brighton College as an “eye-opening event” that is shaping the future of young players from Bulawayo and beyond.
Speaking at the tournament in Nyabira today, Tshuma said he had travelled from Bulawayo with his team to compete and learn. “I’m coming all the way from Bulawayo, right here at Lord Brighton College at the BMT rugby festival. It’s such an exciting event,” he said. “We came here to learn how to play rugby with the big boys and the big girls, and it has been an eye-opening event.”
Tshuma explained that Founders High School has been building its rugby programme for the last three years, focusing on developing both young boys and girls. “We have been building young boys and young girls, helping them understand the sport and actually take the sport into their careers later in the future,” he said.
“It is my passion and dream to see these young boys and young girls build our nation in the future, become one of the best Zimbabwe Sables, one of the best rugby players in the country and the world over.”
The coach paid tribute to the structures supporting rugby development in Zimbabwe, including the Sports and Recreation Commission, the Zimbabwe Rugby Union, and provincial bodies. He also commended Lord Brighton College and title sponsor BMT Holdings for organising the festival.
“This is a very highly commendable effort that has been put forward by the organisers, Lord Brighton, as well as their sponsors, staff, members of parents as well as volunteers that have come in place to actually make this event a success,” Tshuma said.
“You are giving these youngsters an opportunity in life to express themselves, to actually learn new ways, make new friends while they’re actually shaping their future.”
Tshuma also applauded the strong participation of girls in the tournament, saying sport was critical in empowering the girl child.
“I want to applaud the participation of the girl child in this tournament. This is important because it prevents early marriages,” he said. “A girl child is not supposed to stay at home to cook only. Girls must participate in all male-dominated fields and works. Rugby is giving them confidence, discipline, and a future beyond the kitchen.”
Tshuma said Founders High would return for future editions of the tournament. “It’s a road that is still under construction. We are certainly, from Founders High School, we’re certainly looking forward to come back again and showcase our skills,” he said.
He added that the team would encourage other Bulawayo schools to attend. “We are actually going to take this message back to all the schools in Bulawayo not to miss this one out. It has been such an amazing experience and our learners, our players, have actually learned quite a lot.”
The coach thanked corporate partners covering medical services and first aid, members of the media, and the Lord Brighton College community. He also acknowledged support from Founders High School leadership and parents.
“Back at home, we want to say a big shout out to our principal and our deputy and the sports admin. We want to say to the parents as well, thank you for all the support. You have made this possible,” he said.
Tshuma said sport plays a key role in youth development. “Ours is to usher and run with the mandate that you’ve given us to teach and train these youngsters their skills, their rugby skills, as well as life skills, taking them away from exposure to drugs, exposure to unscrupulous activities. So this is one of the ways that we’re giving back to the country.”
“And I want to say thank you so much for this great opportunity that you have granted our children. And we want to take this into the future. It’s a road under construction.”
The BMT Rugby Festival at Lord Brighton College wraps up today when finals are played between Old Hararians and Sports Club.
TOP PIC: Founders High School Coach and team
