Head from the Sawa Sawa Academy in Kenya visits players at St Mary’s Old Boys RFC.

The local  rugby club were delighted to be asked by Bradley Stoke Community School if they could introduce the Head of the Sawa Sawa Academy in Kenya. The  school were hosting a visit from Mr Zablon Maina, the Headteacher of their partner school in Kenya last week.

They continue to work on projects with Sawa Sawa Academy after linking some four years ago and look for opportunities to support the school and the students as well as exploring ways to work together in the future. Mr Maina showed an interest in the local rugby club and therefore visited during training last Wednesday.  He quickly recognised many BSCS students from the classrooms he ’d visited who were training in their various age groups. Impressed with the set up and drills as well as the equipment that is often taken for granted, he mentioned the cost of a football locally is £35 and not of great quality – he has just one for the school. Zablon was therefore very appreciative to be presented with 5 rugby balls by the club ’s Chair, Peter Phelps, to take back to Kenya for his own students to use. He also took away a players shirt and club tie to display proudly in his own school building.

Mr Maina presented the club with a gift from his academy, which will be displayed in the clubhouse with a plaque. The club look forward to building links with the academy overseas and has already pledged to send playing shirts as they are replaced during a three year program, having benefitted from new shirt sponsorship this season.

Bradley Stoke Community School also commented “It has been an absolute pleasure to have Mr Maina see first-hand how our school, Abbeywood and Meadowbrook function and I know he has had an incredibly rewarding and worthwhile visit. He has left us with some amazing gifts for the school for which we are very grateful ”.    

Photographs:

Pete Phelps, Chair of St Mary ’s Old Boys RFC with Zablon Maina, Sawa Sawa Academy, Kenya

Zablon Maina in the club playing shirt alongside BSCS students from years 7 & 9.

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