The Kenya girls’ rugby team faces a tough challenge at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, taking on some of the best rugby nations in a round-robin tournament.

Coach Sarah Otieno, also the rugby development officer at Kenya Rugby Union, organized a blowout and skills session to assess the 18 players in camp, who reported on Tuesday and began training the next day.

Coach Sarah ensured the players executed the lesson plan they received when they broke camp in April. The morning session focused on passing, ball reception, and runs, with players from different regions requiring a unique approach in drills.

Out of the 18 players, five will be dropped before the team departs. To prepare for the fast-paced game played by teams like Canada, Australia, and Fiji, Coach Sarah will use a role play approach, practicing kick-offs, scrums, line-outs, formations, and patterns. Defence will be crucial, and the sessions will be short, sharp, and intense.

The coach plans to work on defence patterns and counter-attacks, ensuring players understand their roles. Recognizing the short 10-day preparation time, she will stick to the plan given to teachers, which they worked on while the girls were in school.