HARARE - The 13th edition of the annual weeklong Cottco rugby festival that ended in Harare yesterday proved a stage where future stars grab a stepping stone to greatness - with six girls teams competing for the first time in the history of the gala.
The Cotton Company of Zimbabwe became the principal sponsor of the festival in 1999 after the withdrawal of David Whitehead. The new sponsors began their journey with the objective of spreading the game to rural and high density suburbs, where it was virtually unknown.
Over 150 schools around the country, which included rural schools from Mahusekwa, Chihota Communal Lands, Bindura and Seke Communal Lands, showcased their talent under the theme New in Time, New in Kind.”
This years festival will go down in the history books of Zimbabwe rugby development as one show that opened a door to the girl child to participate in one of the most male-dominated sports in the country. Despite failing to convert penalties, the schoolgirls played the game with great energy, scoring superb tries, which portrayed vast talent in the nations future national players.
The 2000 edition of the festival will also be one to be remembered as it saw most rural and high density schools making their debut performance at the show. Among them were Kutama, Mutoko, St Ignatius, Nyanga, Glen View 1, Seke 5, Mabvuku and Nhowe.
A year later they were joined by Mbare, Seke 1, Kyle College, Trust Academy, St Johns Chikwaka and Vengere in what became the largest festival ever with 70 teams from 50 schools participating. But with each passing year the numbers increased, reaching a record 144 teams (82 Under-19s and 62 Under-16s.) With the participation of a greater number of schools from an ever-increasing geographical percentage of the country, the event has gained popularity in recent years among parents, relatives, friends and schoolmates.
On average, over 25 000 spectators come to the traditional venue, Prince Edward School, during the six-day showdown.
Post published in: Rugby