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Homeboyz
Full nameHomeboyz Rugby Football Club
UnionKenya Rugby Football Union
Nickname(s)HBR, The Boyz Are In Town, The Girlz Are In Town
Founded2009
LocationNairobi, Kenya
Ground(s)Jamhuri Park, Homeboyz Rugby Stadium (Capacity: 10,000)
ChairmanKenya Myke Rabar
Coach(es)Kenya Simon Odongo
Captain(s)Kenya Roy Wesonga Kenya Zeden Marrow
League(s)Kenya Cup, Eric Shirley Shield
2020Kenya Cup
3rd (overall) (season abandoned)
Eric Shirley Shield
4th (overall) (season abandoned)
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.homeboyzrugby.co.ke

Homeboyz Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Nairobi, Kenya, that competes in the Kenya Cup, Eric Shirley Shield, Enterprise Cup and Mwamba Cup. Formed in 2009, Homeboyz also has a women's team that competes in the Kenya Rugby Football Union women's league every year. Both the men's and women's teams also compete in the Kenya National Sevens Circuit that happens annually. Their main home ground is Jamhuri Park.

History

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Foundation and early years

[edit]

Homeboyz was officially founded in 2009. This was a result of the perceived need in the market to accommodate the younger players who felt that they were not being given enough opportunities to play competitive rugby. As a start-up team in 2009, Homeboyz RFC was initially placed in the lower-tier Eric Shirley Shield. After winning the Eric Shirley Shield two seasons in a row, they earned their promotion to Kenya Cup.[1]

The women's team was formed in 2016 after Homeboyz decided to give women a platform to showcase their talent. The women's game is still relatively young but has made great strides in the past years. The team has been consistent in the Kenya Rugby Football Union women's league and produced five women who represented the country in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Tours

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Against Uganda Select

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Homeboyz first toured Uganda in 2018 having won the Enterprise Cup to face a Ugandan Select side as an initiative to promote rugby in the region.[2] They won the match 18 - 10 with Bush Mwale and Roy Wesonga scoring a try each and Kelvin Masai kicking over two penalties and a conversion.

Dubai 7s

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Homeboyz first toured Dubai in 2010 to play in the Dubai 7's Men's Invitational Tournament.[3] This was after taking part in three of the five legs of the National Sevens Circuit and winning over many fans.

In 2018, Homeboyz won three legs of the National Sevens Circuit which saw them crowned 7's champions that season. This was rewarded by a trip to the Dubai 7's Men's Invitational Tournament once again where the side narrowly lost to the Emerging Boks.[4]

Club success (2009–2019)

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In 2009, Homeboyz had a stint in the National Sevens Circuit playing in three of the five tournaments of the circuit. Homeboyz RFC played the Prinsloo Sevens (Nakuru), Driftwoods Sevens (Mombasa) and in the Kabeberi Sevens (Nairobi) where they won their first trophy in the shield category.

In 2010, Homeboyz Rugby participated in their first 15's fixture playing in the Eric Shirley Shield, which they won in their inaugural year. Homeboyz were crowned champions after a win against Kisumu RFC at the University of Nairobi grounds.[1] They were not promoted to play in the Kenya Cup due to some technicalities.

In 2011, the team went ahead and defended the Eric Shirley Shield trophy to secure a chance to play in the highest league in the country, Kenya Cup. The same year also saw Homeboyz win the Mwamba Cup.[5]

In 2013, Homeboyz Rugby finished 4th in the National Sevens Circuit winning their first sevens main cup trophy, the Kabeberi 7s.[6]

In 2014, Homeboyz missed the Kenya Cup playoff place by a single point. That same year they bagged their second sevens main cup trophy by lifting the Driftwood 7's and finishing second overall in the National Sevens Circuit.[7]

In the 2015 Enterprise Cup, the team reaches its first senior final in the Enterprise Cup losing 28 - 0 to KCB.[8]

In 2016, Homeboyz Rugby won the overall National Sevens Circuit, setting a record for playing in all the finals in a six leg format and winning three of them, Prinsloo 7's, Dala 7's and Nanyuki 7's.[9][10][11][12]

In 2017, Homeboyz Rugby, finished third overall in the National Sevens Circuit having won the Driftwood 7's and Dala 7's in the process.[13][14] That same year saw them reach the Kenya Cup semi final for the first time after finishing the regular season in position one.[15]

Homeboyz Rugby celebrate winning the Enterprise Cup.

In 2018, they won the Enterprise Cup, beating Impala Saracens 21 - 3 at the RFUEA Ground.[16] That same year saw Homeboyz reclaim the overall National Sevens Circuit, winning four, Prinsloo 7's, Sepetuka 7's, Kabeberi 7's and Christie 7's, of the six legs on offer.[17][18][19][20] They also had a decent run in the Kenya Cup, finishing second in the regular season before falling to Kabras 29 - 13 in the semi-final.

Current standings

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Kenya Cup

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2019–20 Kenya Cup table[21]
Alpha
Team P W D L PF PA PD TBP PTS
1 Kenya Kabras 16 15 0 1 677 132 +545 14 74
2 Kenya KCB 16 14 1 1 573 213 +360 14 71
3 Kenya Homeboyz 16 13 1 2 524 232 +292 12 66
4 Kenya Impala 16 9 0 7 406 307 +99 12 48
5 Kenya Mwamba 16 9 0 7 389 391 -2 7 43
6 Kenya Menengai Oilers 16 8 0 8 412 382 +30 9 41
7 Kenya Nakuru 16 8 0 8 323 393 -70 6 38
8 Kenya Blak Blad 16 5 0 11 326 453 -127 8 28
9 Kenya Harlequin 16 5 0 11 283 414 -131 7 27
10 Kenya Nondescripts 16 5 0 11 316 444 -128 6 26
11 Kenya Western Bulls 16 3 0 13 188 509 -321 -1 11
12 Kenya Kisumu 16 1 0 15 173 738 -565 -2 2

Eric Shirley Shield

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2019–20 Eric Shirley Shield table[21]
Bravo
Team P W D L PF PA PD TBP PTS
1 Kenya KCB 16 14 1 1 638 163 +475 14 72
2 Kenya Kabras 16 14 1 1 576 103 +473 14 72
3 Kenya Menengai Oilers 16 13 0 3 471 259 +212 13 65
4 Kenya Homeboyz 16 11 1 4 390 225 +165 8 54
5 Kenya Impala 16 10 1 5 458 202 +256 10 52
6 Kenya Mwamba 16 8 1 7 370 298 +72 10 44
7 Kenya Nakuru 16 9 0 7 317 336 -19 8 44
8 Kenya Blak Blad 16 5 0 11 186 572 -386 4 24
9 Kenya Harlequin 16 4 1 11 232 407 -175 4 22
10 Kenya Nondescripts 16 3 0 13 161 391 -230 6 18
11 Kenya Western Bulls 16 2 0 14 102 403 -301 -13 -5
12 Kenya Kisumu 16 0 0 16 58 600 -542 -5 -5

2020 Enterprise Cup

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Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
            
1 Kabras RFC 47
2 Menengai Oilers 19
1 Kabras 54
2 Mwamba 10
3 Mwamba RFC 28
4 Kisumu RFC 0
Kabras
Homeboyz
5 Harlequin 13
6 Homeboyz 39
3 Homeboyz 33
4 Nondescripts 11
7 Nondescripts 28
8 Masinde Muliro 0
 
 
9 Impala Saracens 41
10 Mean Machine 22
5 Impala Saracens 39
6 Nakuru 21
11 Nakuru 28
12 Mombasa 0
Impala Saracens
KCB
13 KCB 27
14 Strathmore 3
7 KCB 43
8 Blak Blad 12
15 Blak Blad 28
16 Western Bulls 0

2020 Mwamba Cup

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Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
            
1 Kabras RFC 28
2 Northern Suburbs 0
 
 
3 Mwamba RFC 48
4 Daystar Falcons 24
 
 
5 Nakuru 28
6 CUEA Monks 0
 
 
7 Impala Saracens 36
8 Swara 16
 
 
9 Strathmore 22
10 Nondescripts 13
 
 
11 Harlequin 13
12 Shamas Foundation 18
 
 
13 Homeboyz 17
14 Menengai Oilers 27
 
 
15 KCB 27
16 Strathmore 3

Colours and crest

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The Menengai Cream kit

The blue and yellow that are famous with the club is adopted from the club sponsor, Homeboyz Entertainment Limited. The current crest was remodeled in November 2015 and retained the Homeboyz logo and the blue and yellow colors.

The current kit is made by Samurai Sportswear. Homeboyz Entertainment was the primary kit sponsor from 2009 to 2015 with its brands H2O and HBR 103.5 FM featuring in front of their jersey. In the 2015/16 season, Menengai Cream took over as the primary kit sponsor featuring in front of the jersey until the 2018/19 season.[22]

Squad

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Coaching and management staff

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Position Name Nationality
Backs and skills coach Simon Odongo  Kenya
Forwards coach Elisha Okello  Kenya
Strength & conditioning coach Michael Mulugu  Kenya
Assistant team manager Edward Wekesa  Kenya
Logistics manager Spencer Githinji  Kenya
Lead physiotherapist Samuel Ochieng  Kenya

Current squad

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Homeboyz Rugby's current squad

Props

  • KenyaThomas Okidia
  • KenyaAbel Matanda
  • KenyaMeshack Akenga
  • KenyaElfas Etemesi
  • KenyaJoseph Amalemba
  • KenyaJohn Gichuhi

Hookers

  • KenyaAaron Khalechi
  • KenyaBruce Shiemi
  • KenyaUyn Omaya

Locks

  • KenyaPolycap Odhiambo
  • KenyaWallace Onyango
  • KenyaEmmanuel Silungi
  • KenyaRoy Wesonga c
  • KenyaMalcom Oketch
  • KenyaDouglas Opani

Back row

  • KenyaStanley Isogol
  • KenyaLevis Ochieng
  • KenyaReinhard Ngaira
  • KenyaPaul Akatch
  • KenyaElijah Nganga
  • KenyaPhilbert Mwanzo
  • KenyaBrian Kitiva
  • KenyaKeith Wasike


Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

  • KenyaHenry Ayah
  • KenyaArnold Onzere
  • KenyaKelvin Masai

Centres

  • KenyaMaxwell Kangeri
  • KenyaBob Muhati
  • KenyaJan Remke
  • KenyaJeffrey Oluoch
  • KenyaZeden Marrow c
  • KenyaNelson Sangurah

Wingers

  • KenyaLeonard Mugaisi
  • KenyaAlvin Otieno
  • KenyaBush Mwale
  • KenyaCollins Shikoli
  • KenyaVictor Odhiambo
  • KenyaBryan Juma

Fullbacks

  • KenyaMichael Wanjala
  • KenyaBrian Ayimba
  • KenyaAmon Wamalwa
(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes players who have represented the national Under 20, 7's or 15's team.

Academy squad

[edit]
Homeboyz Rugby's Academy Squad

Props

  • KenyaAlbert Kinyanjui
  • KenyaHector Muindi
  • KenyaKennedy Mutuku
  • KenyaKisise Okeyo


Hookers

  • KenyaBevon Mutuma
  • KenyaMike Munene

Locks

  • KenyaPatrick Mwakina
  • KenyaEric Bwayo
  • KenyaFelix Ouma

Back row

  • KenyaJesse Mugonyi
  • KenyaIsaac Akali
  • KenyaCharles Omulakho


Scrum-halves

  • KenyaSimon Gathii
  • KenyaEmmanuel Osundwa


Fly-halves

  • KenyaEric Ogutu

Centres

  • KenyaAlvin Wanjala
  • KenyaJoseph Kilozo
  • KenyaGeorge Mogusu


Wingers

  • KenyaVictor Shigoli
  • KenyaTom Ojango
  • KenyaKelvin Agwambo
  • KenyaJohn Ochar
  • KenyaPius Odera


Fullbacks

  • KenyaSolomon Maleu
(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes players who have represented the national Under 20, 7's or 15's team

Women's squad

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Homeboyz Rugby Women's Squad

Props

  • KenyaMillicent Opalla
  • KenyaMercy Migongo

Hookers

  • KenyaPeris Kagendo

Locks

  • KenyaNamariq Musa
  • KenyaEnid Ouma
  • KenyaEmmaculate Awuor

Back row

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

  • KenyaDorcas Sinaida

Centres


Wingers

  • KenyaVeronica Oile
  • KenyaEdith Sally
  • KenyaLinet Arasa
  • KenyaSalome Mwelu
  • KenyaValentine Akinyi
  • KenyaJoy Mitchell

Fullbacks

  • KenyaAmollo Ong'ombe
(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes players who have represented the national Lionesses team either at 7's, 15's or both

Coaches

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Homeboyz were coached in their first season by Eric Situma, who was assisted by Paul Murunga. Situma was replaced by Murunga in 2011 who had several assistants that included Benjamin Ayimba, Bill Githinji, and former Homeboyz players Elisha Okello and Simon Odongo. Murunga continued as coach until he was appointed Kenya Sevens coach after the 2017 season. Simon Odongo took over the reins for the 2018 season and didn't have an assistant during that time. In 2019, Sharks Academy coach, Jason Hector, was announced as the Homeboyz head coach. Jason was assisted by Simon Odongo in the season that was canceled owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jason was appointed head coach of the Western Province Rugby Academy Claremont Campus for the 2021 season.

Current coaches

  • Simon Odongo (Backs)
  • Elisha Okello (Forwards)

Former coaches

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Coach Season(s)
Kenya Eric Situma 2009/10 – 2010/11
Kenya Paul Murunga 2011/12 - 2016/17
Kenya Simon Odongo[23] 2017/18 – 2018/19
South Africa Jason Hector[24] 2019/20 – 2020

Notable players

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Olympians

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The following Homeboyz players represented Kenya at the 2020 Summer Olympics:

The following Homeboyz players represented Kenya at the 2016 Summer Olympics:

Singapore Sevens winners

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The following Homeboyz players were part of the team that won the 2016 Singapore Sevens:[25]

Rugby World Cup Sevens

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The following Homeboyz players have represented Kenya at the Rugby World Cup Sevens:

Commonwealth Games

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The following Homeboyz players have represented Kenya at the Commonwealth Games:

Youth Olympians

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The following Homeboyz players were part of the Kenya Under 19 team that took part in the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics:[26]

  • Brian Songoi
  • Nelson Sangura
  • Brian Gisemba
  • John Ochar
  • Keith Wasike
  • Daniel Abuonji
  • Lamech Kimutai
  • Ian Omondi

Overseas players

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Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under World Rugby eligibility rules.

  • Uganda Solomon Okia: 2014–2016
  • Uganda Eliphaz Emong: 2019–2020

References

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  1. ^ a b Ayodi, Ayumba (2010-04-20). "Dance to Homeboyz's top rugby beat - Rugby | Daily Nation". Nation.co.ke. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
  2. ^ Kawowo Sports (2018-06-12), https://kawowo.com/2018/06/12/pirates-to-host-kenyan-side-homeboyz-in-friendly-at-legends/ Pirates to host Kenyan side Homeboyz in friendly at Legends
  3. ^ Sports News Arena (2010-12-02), http://sportsnewsarena.com/dubai-7s-homeboyz-to-face-british-army-watembezi-vets-lose-openers/ Dubai 7s: Homeboyz to face British Army
  4. ^ Raga House (2018-11-23), http://ragahouse.com/news/item/introducing-homeboyz-samurai-for-dubai-7s/ Introducing Homeboyz Samurai for Dubai 7s
  5. ^ Sports News Arena (2011-05-19), http://sportsnewsarena.com/murunga-double-wins-mwamba-cup-for-homeboyz/ Murunga Double Wins Mwamba Cup For Homeboyz
  6. ^ Kwambo, Michael. "Homeboyz win the Kabeberi Sevens". Michezo Afrika.
  7. ^ Odd Shaped Balls Kenya. "Djs Mute Lions Roar In Mombasa". ODD SHAPED BALLS KENYA. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  8. ^ Box Score. "KCB win the Kenya Rugby's Enterprise Cup". Box Score.
  9. ^ Ahenda, Ben (2016-08-09). "Homeboyz claim first gong of national Sevens Series". Standard Newspaper.
  10. ^ NTV (2016-09-04). "Dala 7's: Homeboys win 48-5 to dance past Quins in Kisumu". NTV Sports.
  11. ^ Njeru, Kenerickson (2016-09-12). "Victory for Homeboyz Rugby in Nanyuki". Citizen Digital.
  12. ^ Olobulu, Timothy (2016-09-17). "Homeboyz Clinch Maiden Sevens Series Title". Capital Sports.
  13. ^ Olobulu, Timothy (2017-09-03). "Homeboyz Down Nakuru To Win Driftwood Title". Capital Sports.
  14. ^ Gatuha, Dennis (2017-10-22). "Homeboyz defend Dala 7s". Raga House.
  15. ^ Kenya Cup. "Will It Be Homeboyz Or Kabras For The Kenya Cup Final?". Kenya Cup.
  16. ^ Njiru, Eric. "Homeboyz win Enterprise cup". Raga House.
  17. ^ MUREITHI, FRANCIS (2018-07-22). "Homeboyz outlast Mwamba to lift Prinsloo Sevens". Daily Nation.
  18. ^ Ayodi, Ayumba (2018-08-19). "Who will stop Homeboyz? Deejays win Kabeberi 7s". Daily Nation.
  19. ^ Capital Sport (2018-07-29). "Homeboyz Crack Mwamba To Lift Sepetuka 7s". Capital Sport.
  20. ^ Msalame, Brian. "Homeboyz win Christie 7s". Raga House.
  21. ^ a b "Kenya Cup 2019/2020 Standings". Kenya Cup.
  22. ^ Ochieng, Erick (2015-07-29). "Homeboyz RFC get Sh10m boost ahead of season kick-off". Game Yetu.
  23. ^ Njuguna, William (2018-11-09). "Odongo is new Homeboyz' head coach". The Star Newspaper.
  24. ^ Ayodi, Ayumba. "Jason Hector is the new Homeboyz Rugby head coach". Daily Nation.
  25. ^ "Kenya 7s Writes History After Stunning Fiji To Lift First Ever Cup Title". Capital Sport.
  26. ^ "Chipu Make Olympics Debut". Odd Shaped Balls.
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