Zimpapers Logo

FINAL PHASE . . . The Tigers yesterday went through their team-building session in Harare. — (Picture by Tawanda Mudimu)

Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
ONE of the best schools rugby brands in the country — the Prince Edward Tigers — yesterday wrapped up their camp with a team building session in preparation of the annual Dairibord Schools rugby Festival.

Under the guidance of mentors from a private team building company, the Tigers were yesterday learning more about each other and they believe this camp will help them a lot.

The session was aimed at developing the team, increase inter-personal communication and improve on effectiveness within the Tigers family as they hope to come out unscathed in their three games.

The Tigers are set to take on Peterhouse Kings on Tuesday and will also feature in the main game of the festival on Saturday when they take on the Rams of St John’s College.

But it is their game against bitter rivals, the Churchill Bulldogs on Tuesday, that is expected to be the big one.

The traditional “Cats and Dogs” rivalry between these two sides has been going on for more than 50 years but had not been witnessed at the festival in more than 20 years as the two sides last met at the festival when it was still under the sponsorship of David Whitehead.

“We have decided to pair schools strength for strength which means from day one to day six we will witness probably the most competitive festival in a long time,” said festival director Sebastian Garikai.

Some of the big fixtures include Peterhouse against Prince Edward and Churchill versus Falcon on Tuesday, Thursday will be the “Battle of the Saints” between St George’s College and rivals St John’s College.

The 11.30am game will be between Kyle College and Eaglesvale.

While the Tigers were going through a team building session at their home turf, Mount Pleasant were also finalising their preparations under youthful coach Prince Zinyemba.

He was an Upper Sixth pupil and captain of the same school last year.

Zinyemba is in charge of all the teams at the school and feels his girls team are likely to be the best performers among the three sides to be thrown into battle by his school — boys first team, boys Under-16 and the girls.

“The passion for the game keeps me going. I am in charge of all three teams but to make life a bit easier for me, the boys captain and his vice also help with the Under-16s and Under-14.

“We had the same set-up last year when I was captain and I decided to continue coaching the side after high school.

“But I would love to believe that our girls side is the strongest among the teams we have here and I am sure they will do us proud,” said Zinyemba.

Meanwhile, Prince Edward school grounds and support staff were yesterday busy putting final touches to the venue as they were pitching tents, marking the fields and setting up touchline adverts at the main Jubilee Field with everything expected to be ready by end of day today.

This year will see the festival growing as 14 new teams are expected to take part in the week-long jamboree that has also grown to be the biggest rugby festival in the world.

There will be 30 girls teams participating.

Gmeiner (Bindura) Amhlope (Bulawayo) Zengeza 1 and 4, Mt Pleasant, Herentals and Queen Elizabeth will be making their debut at the festival.

Atexis, Mbare Bulls Rugby Academy, Budiriro 1 High School and Hatcliff Rugby Academy are expected to make their debut appearances in the boys section. Loxely and St Paul’s Musami are making a return in the boys section having missed the show over the last few years.