We’ve had a tenuous link to Kenyan rugby for some time as the parents of Will Edwards (M&J Coach and Vets Captain) live in the Diani area and are involved with the local team, South Coast Pirates.

Then, Charlie Hicks (1st XV) approached the club to see if we would be willing to help with the charity Kit4Kenya. In his gap year, Charlie taught at Pemboke House, a school in the Gilgil area of Kenya, meeting many of the people who have helped in this process.

“It was an easy decision for the Club” explains Tom Salsbury, Club President - “Having two links to the area and a kit room full of shirts it made perfect sense. Never hurts to have a bit more Cerise and French Grey in the world! We hope these teams enjoy pulling on The Shirt as much as our players have”

Charlie’s story - “In my university years I came across a charity called Kit4Kenya, run by Tom Sweetnam. Initially starting the charity to send over second hand stuff from mates from school, he built up the charity to what it is now with premier league football clubs and even England FA kits supplying his charity.

The charity was something I really wanted to be a part of with my experience of visiting Kenya and my love for sports. So, I applied to be a student ambassador with the charity and was accepted.

Part of my role as an ambassador was to raise £1000 in any way I wanted. So my project included making a rugby kit that would be used for our 2023 Olney 7s team and this would then get recycled and sent over to Kenya. Unfortunately, these kits didn’t arrive in time for the tournament but we still sent them off anyway. Kabarak University were the recipients, coached by CJ, a friend of a teacher at Pembroke and who plays for the Menengai Oilers and Kenyan national team”

Then at Christmas, Charlie “raided” the Club kit room (with the permission of Tebby!) and was able to send off 6 kits to Kenya. Whilst taking a little longer than had hoped, the kits have recently made it to Kenya and have been distributed to the three chosen teams:

Firstly, the South Coast Pirates in Diani – had always been in my mind from that initial chat with Lucy Edwards at the Olney 7s, so was great we could provide some kit.

Secondly, Pioneer Academy in Gilgil - this was a youth academy based in Gilgil. Set up by my friend and co- teacher Xammie at Pembroke school, I wanted to help a friend out who started a great charity.

Thirdly, Kiti RFC in Nakuru - this was for CJ again and the other club team that he volunteers for, needing kit they were very happy to receive it too.

Finally some words from Tom Sweetman, co-founder of Kit4Kenya “This is fantastic ! Really well done for taking on this project and it’s clear to see the impact this has had”

But now there is a dilemma - as one of few clubs with no need for an alternate kit, if we ever tour Kenya...who’s going to wear what kit!?

If you would like to support Kit4Kenya you can read more about the on their website - https://www.kit4kenya.com/ or you can donate to them here - https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=7DXPPV2V24JKW

More about the teams on their websites and Socials.
Southcoast Pirates - https://southcoastpiratesrfc.co.ke/ fb https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063674048104 IG https://www.instagram.com/sc_pirates/

Pioneer Academy
IG - https://www.instagram.com/pioneeracademy20116/

Kabarak University
IG - https://www.instagram.com/kabarak_001/

Nakuru Kiti

An strike so good that the RFU ran with it