HARARE, May 18 (NewsDay Live) — A partnership that started on dusty fields with just five schools in Marondera has grown into one of Zimbabwe’s most impactful grassroots sports development programmes, with Old Mutual Zimbabwe and Tag Rugby Trust Zimbabwe celebrating 10 years of using tag rugby to change young lives across the country.
What began as a small community initiative now reaches nearly 18,000 children every year in schools stretching from Victoria Falls and Hwange to Plumtree, creating opportunities for youngsters from both rural and urban communities to access organised sport, mentorship and life-skills training.
The programme’s growth has mirrored the rising popularity of tag rugby in Zimbabwe, with more than 40 schools now involved nationwide — including 24 rural schools and 16 urban schools — in what organisers describe as a deliberate effort to ensure inclusive access to sport.
For Tinashe Shamu, the journey reflects years of steady development and community engagement.
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“We have seen strong growth over the years. When we started the programme, we were working with just five schools in Marondera, and today the initiative has expanded to over 40 schools nationwide,” Shamu said.
Beyond introducing children to rugby, the initiative has increasingly evolved into a broader youth empowerment platform. Around 3,000 teachers and sports coaches have been trained over the past decade, allowing schools and communities to independently run and grow the sport.
The programme has also widened its reach to include children living with disabilities through the “I Am Able Through Rugby” initiative, which works alongside ZIMCARE schools to promote mixed-ability participation.
Organisers say another major turning point came after noticing a sharp decline in girls continuing with rugby during their transition into secondary school. That observation led to the launch of the Female Inspiration Through Rugby (FITR) programme, aimed at mentoring young girls and building confidence through sport.
“We also observed that many girls were dropping out of the sport as they progressed into secondary school. This prompted the introduction of the Female Inspiration Through Rugby programme,” Shamu said.
For Lillian Mbayiwa, the partnership reflects the company’s long-term commitment to youth development through sport.
“At Old Mutual Zimbabwe, we are committed to empowering young people with opportunities that shape their confidence, discipline and resilience,” she said.
The initiative has also opened pathways for talented players to move into school and club rugby systems, strengthening Zimbabwe’s long-term rugby development structures while reinforcing the role grassroots sport can play in community transformation.
