The Kenya women’s Sevens team may have a tough act to follow in trying to emulate the recent feats of their male counterparts, but they will also receive their help in the run-up to their regional qualifier for the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai.
Next year's Sevens World Cup features both a men's and a women's competition for the first time and Kenya's men face a qualifying battle against their regional rivals on 31 October - 1 November in Tunisia, but not before they have helped their women's team in its bid to take one of the two places on offer on 20-21 September in Uganda.
The men’s team finished seventh in the 2007/08 IRB Sevens World Series and coach and former player Benjamin Ayimba, his assistant Felix Ochieng and two key players Innocent Simiyu and Humphrey Kayange have been invited to join the technical bench to enhance the women's chances.
Kenya's best-ever season on a World Series can be largely explained by a new-found defensive organisation under Ayimba and women's coach Sammy Kemmey will be hoping that he can bring the same tactical nous to the women in the next three weeks.
Newcomers given chance to shine
The bulk of Kemmey's provisional squad stems from the 15-a-side outfit which beat Uganda 15-13 in the second leg of Elgon Cup three weeks ago, although injuries to three key players – Irene Nyakundi, Anita Omondi and Linda Anyango – have paved the way for newcomers Stacy Awuor, Janet Midecha, Robinah Wambui and Philadelphia Olando to join the set-up.
Kemmey will announce his squad on 17 September after formal trials to be held at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa ground.
Some of the other countries expected to compete at the women's qualifier in Uganda are Zambia, Rwanda, Morocco, Tunisia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Nine of 16 women's teams have already booked their places at the Dubai event. Brazil were first to qualify from South America, followed by England, Netherlands, Russia, France, Spain and Italy from Europe and most recently Australia and New Zealand from Oceania.
After Africa's women face off in Uganda, Hong Kong will host qualifying for Asia's men and women on 4-5 October and the Bahamas will host North America's men and women on 25-26 October, before the African men's event draws qualifying to a close.
Provisional Kenya squad: Stacy Awuor, Angela Olum, Millicent Opala, Adelaide Nasambu, Mary Atieno, Mary Musieka, Doreen Remour, Rebecca Kerubo, Nereah Awino, Celestine Navalayo, Irene Namayi, Irene Awino, Abadeen Shikoyi, Janet Midecha, Robinah Wambui, Judy Agengo, Philadelphia Olando, Camilyne Awuor.
Canada and USA name final Nations Cup squads
In other women's rugby news, Canada and USA have named their sides to face off in their last match at the Women's Nations Cup in England on Tuesday evening.
Both sides lost their openers against England, Canada 43-9 and USA 17-14, but Canada coach Quentin Fyffe is aiming to finish on a high by matching the physicality of the Americans.
"The Eagles are more combative at the break-down, while England had a more expansive and wider game," Fyffe said. "I think we will match up well with the US forwards."
USA coach Kathy Flores has opted for continuity, naming many of the same starters from Friday's narrow defeat against England.
Canada team to face USA
15. Julianne Zussman 14. Brittney Waters (Velox Valkryies) 13. Maria Gallo (At Large) 12. Stevi Schnoor (United) 11. Cheryl Phillips (Toronto Scottish) 10. Anna Schnell (Burnaby Lake) 9. Laura Stoughton (Calgary Irish) 8. Kelly Russell (Toronto Nomads) 7. Barbara Mervin (Velox Valkryies) 6. Jennifer Kish (Edmonton Rockers) 4. Paige Burdett (Calgary Irish) 3. Marlene Donaldson (Velox Valkryies) 1. Kim Donaldson (Burnaby Lake). Replacements: 16. Nicole Tyminksi (Edmonton Druids) 17. Leslie Cripps (Saracens, Eng) 18. Heather Jacques (Capilano) 19. Katies Murray (Lep Tigers) 21. Ashley Patzer (Lethbridge) 22. Mandy Marchak (Capilano)
USA team to face Canada
1 Farrah Douglas (Chicago North Shore), 2 Mari Wallace (Berkeley All Blues), 3 Jamie Burke (At-Large), 4 Jillion Potter (MN Valkyries), 5 Lara Vivolo (New York), 6 Mel Denham (Berkeley All Blues), 7 Beckett Royce (Oregon Sports Union), 8 Blair Groefsema (Berkeley All Blues), 9 Kim Magrini (Keystone), 10 Kristin Baja (New York), 11 Nathalie Marchino (Berkeley All Blues), 12 Lynelle Kugler (Glendale), 13 San Juanita Moreno (ORSU), 14 Desiree Markovich (Berkeley All Blues) , 15 Ashley English (Berkeley All Blues). Replacements: 16 Lisa Butts (Davis Women), 17 Stacy Baker (Philadelphia), 18 Christina Hobson (Morris Rugby), 19 Liz Dilley (Washington Furies), 20 Katy Hertel (Minnesota Valkyries), 21 Mel Kanuk (Maryland), 22 Ashley Kmiecik (Emerald City Mudhens)
