Homeboyz RFC

Homeboyz Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Nairobi, Kenya. They compete in the Kenya Cup (the highest level of Kenyan rugby), Eric Shirley Shield, Enterprise Cup and Mwamba Cup. They also have a women's team that competes in the Kenya Rugby Football Union women's league every year. Both teams also compete in the Kenya National Sevens Circuit that happens after the end of the 15's season. Their main home ground is Jamhuri Park.

Homeboyz R.F.C
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 (Capacity: 10,000)
Chairman Myke Rabar
Coach(es) Jason Hector
Captain(s) Thomas Okidia Mohammed Omollo
League(s)Kenya Cup, Eric Shirley Shield
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.homeboyzrugby.co.ke

History

Foundation and early years

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, as compared to the men's, 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.

Against Uganda Select

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

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)

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.[5] 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.[6]

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

In 2014, Homeboyz missed the Kenya Cup playoff place by a single point. That same year they bag their second sevens main cup trophy by lifting the Driftwood 7's and finishing second overall in the National Sevens Circuit.[8]

In 2015 Enterprise Cup, the team reaches its first senior final in the Enterprise Cup losing 28 - 0 to KCB.[9]

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.[10][11][12][13]

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.[14][15] That same year saw them reach the Kenya Cup semi final for the first time after finishing the regular season in position one.[16]

Homeboyz Rugby celebrate winning the Enterprise Cup

In 2018, they won the Enterprise Cup beating Impala Saracens 21 - 3 at the RFUEA Ground.[17] 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.[18][19][20][21] 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

Kenya Cup
    2019–20 Kenya Cup Table[22]
    Alpha
    Team P W D L PF PA PD TBP PTS
    1 Kabras 161501677132+5451474
    2 KCB 161411573213+3601471
    3 Homeboyz 161312524232+2921266
    4 Impala 16907406307+991248
    5 Mwamba 16907389391-2743
    6 Menengai Oilers 16808412382+30941
    7 Nakuru 16808323393-70638
    8 Blak Blad 165011326453-127828
    9 Harlequin 165011283414-131727
    10 Nondescripts 165011316444-128626
    11 Western Bulls 163013188509-321-111
    12 Kisumu 161015173738-565-22

    Eric Shirley Shield
      2019–20 Eric Shirley Shield Table[23]
      Bravo
      Team P W D L PF PA PD TBP PTS
      1 KCB 161411638163+4751472
      2 Kabras 161411576103+4731472
      3 Menengai Oilers 161303471259+2121365
      4 Homeboyz 161114390225+165854
      5 Impala 161015458202+2561052
      6 Mwamba 16817370298+721044
      7 Nakuru 16907317336-19844
      8 Blak Blad 165011186572-386424
      9 Harlequin 164111232407-175422
      10 Nondescripts 163013161391-230618
      11 Western Bulls 162014102403-301-13-5
      12 Kisumu 16001658600-542-5-5

      <noinclude>

      2020 Enterprise Cup
      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
      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
      The Menengai Cream kit

      The blue and yellow that is 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 colours.

      The current kit is made by Samurai Sportswear. Homeboyz Entertainment was the primary kit sponsor from 2009 to 2015 with its brands H20 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 till the 2018/19 season.[24]

      Squad

      Coaching and management staff
      Position Name Nationality
      Head Coach and Forwards Coach Jason Hector  South Africa
      Assistant Coach and Backs Coach Simon Odongo  Kenya
      Academy Coach Alex Agalo  Kenya
      Team Manager Edward Wekesa  Kenya
      Logistics Manager Spencer Githinji  Kenya
      Team Manager Sheila Matilda  Kenya
      Strength & Conditioning Coach Larry Nyambok  Kenya
      Physiotherapist Samuel Ochieng  Kenya
      Physiotherapist Fred Awino  Kenya

      Alpha squad
      Homeboyz Rugby Alpha Squad

      Props

      • Thomas Okidia c
      • Abel Matanda
      • Meshack Akenga
      • Elfas Etemesi
      • Joseph Amalemba

      Hookers

      • Aaron Khalechi
      • Bruce Shiemi

      Locks

      • Polycap Odhiambo
      • Wallace Onyango
      • Emmanuel Mavala
      • Emmanuel Silungi

      Back row

      • Roy Wesonga
      • Charles Omondi
      • Eliphaz Emong
      • Stanley Isogol
      • Joshua Chisanga

      Scrum-halves

      Fly-halves

      • Evin Asena
      • Henry Ayah

      Centres

      • Maxwell Kangeri
      • Bob Muhati
      • Jan Remke
      • Jeffrey Oluoch

      Wingers

      • Zeden Marrow
      • Leonard Mugaisi
      • Alvin Otieno
      • Bush Mwale
      • Collins Shikoli

      Fullbacks

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

        Bravo squad
        Homeboyz Rugby Bravo Squad

        Props

        • John Daniel Gichuhi c
        • Albert Kinyanjui
        • Hector Muindi
        • Kennedy Mutuku
        • Kisise Okeyo
        • John Baraka

        Hookers

        • Bevon Mutuma
        • Uyn Omaya c

        Locks

        • Douglas Opani
        • Malcom Oketch
        • Patrick Mwakina
        • Eric Bwayo

        Back row

        • Brian Kitiva
        • Jesse Mugonyi
        • Elijah Ng'ang'a c
        • Philbert Mwanzo c
        • Paul Akatch c
        • Reignhard Ngaira


        Scrum-halves

        • Simon Gathii
        • Michael Nyakundi c
        • Eric Ogutu
        • Emmanuel Osundwa


        Fly-halves

        • Arnold Onzere c
        • Amon Wamalwa c

        Centres

        • Alvin Wanjala
        • Joseph Kilozo
        • Isaac Akali
        • George Mogusu
        • Brian Ayimba c

        Wingers

        • Victor Odhiambo c
        • Victor Shigoli
        • Tom Ojango
        • Kelvin Agwambo
        • Barry Otieno
        • John Ochar


        Fullbacks

        • Brunson Madigo
        • Bryan Juma
        • Solomon 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
          Homeboyz Rugby Women's Squad

          Props

          • Millicent Opalla
          • Mercy Migongo

          Hookers

          • Peris Kagendo

          Locks

          • Namariq Musa
          • Enid Ouma
          • Emmaculate Awuor

          Back row

          Scrum-halves

          Fly-halves

          • Dorcas Sinaida

          Centres

          Wingers

          • Veronica Oile
          • Edith Sally
          • Linet Arasa
          • Salome Mwelu
          • Valentine Akinyi
          • Joy Mitchell

          Fullbacks

          • Amollo 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

            Head coaches
              Coach Season(s)
              Eric Situma 2009/10 – 2010/11
              Paul Murunga 2011/12 - 2016/17
              Simon Odongo[25] 2017/18 – 2018/19
              Jason Hector[26] 2019/20 –

              Notable Players

              Olympians

              The following Homeboyz players represented Kenya at the 2016 Summer Olympics

              Singapore Sevens Winners

              The following Homeboyz players were part of the team that won the 2016 Singapore Sevens[27]

              Rugby World Cup Sevens

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

              • Michael Wanjala (2013)
              • Oscar Ayodi (2018)
              • Jeffrey Oluoch (2018)

              Commonwealth Games

              The following Homeboyz players have represented Kenya at the Commonwealth Games

              • Michael Wanjala (2014)
              • Oscar Ayodi (2018)
              • Jeffrey Oluoch (2018)

              Youth Olympians

              The following Homeboyz players were part of the Kenya Under 19 team that took part in the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics[28]

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

              Overseas Players

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

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

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