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Brighton Chivandire

Sports Reporter
FORMER national team rugby coach Bright Chivandire has pledged to go the extra mile in helping to shape the future of the game in Zimbabwe following his appointment to the post of Director of Rugby yesterday.
The Zimbabwe Rugby Union announced yesterday that Chivandire will start work on November 1 in his new role which will also include establishing and maintaining a national coaching philosophy for the national teams from junior age groups.

Chivandire takes over from Liam Middleton, who resigned recently to take up a new job with the Canada national sevens side.

The former Sables lock was, naturally, elated by the confidence shown in his abilities by the Union.

“I am very happy with this appointment. I love the game, I live the game. It’s exciting and, obviously, humbling to be in such a position,” said Chivandire.

“It’s a huge task but not insurmountable. I am going there with an open mind, I am very receptive to new ideas and I am also open to constructive criticism.

“All the stakeholders have a part to play in the development of the game and I hope to make my contribution count,” said Chivandire.

Chivandire brings with him a wealth of experience, enthusiasm, qualifications as well as a good understanding of the game in Zimbabwe.

He has represented the country as a player and has worked in various technical roles in the ZRU, including a long and successful tenure as head coach of the national Under-20 side.

ZRU boss John Falkenberg was excited with the appointment of Chivandire.

“We would want to welcome Bright to the ZRU in this role, we are looking forward to working towards a positive and proactive environment for rugby to be played in Zimbabwe.

“His credentials are excellent and having worked with him before, I admire his professionalism and work ethic.

“ZRU is definitely and, most certainly, billed for greater heights with an individual like Bright, let’s rally behind him and support him in this role,” said Falkenberg.

Chivandire is an International Rugby Board accredited Level 3 Coach and an IRB Coach Educator.

He has distinguished himself as a coach when he led the junior team to the Under-19 Africa Cup title four times and progressed to participate in the Under-20 World Cup in 2006 and three Junior World Rugby Trophies in 2010, 2011 and 2012.