School Games: The emergence of All Saints Academy as a Rugby Power House.
Mention KSSSA Rugby 15’s and the name of All Saints Academy will surely crop up. The Eastern Region based Power houses are the reigning Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association, KSSSA, 2024 Gold Medalists in their just second appearance at the National Stage.
In their maiden appearance at the national stage, last year, the hard fighting boys clinched Silver.
The school, All Saints Embu High, is located in Embu west Sub county , Embu county.
It is a private school with a student Population of about 200 and headed by the big man himself Sir Franklin Chabari.
Under the stewardship of Ben Mwenda (Coach) and Denis RonoHOD Games), All Saints first participated at the 2022 Nationals in 7’s and ranked 6th overall.
And, guess what, All Saints fall twice to their bitter rivals Butula before outwitting them at the final this year. In the 2023 final, Butula handed All Saints a painful defeat of 38 vs 00 at the finals.
The two teams would then meet at this year’s Championship in Machakos. Their preliminary match ended at 09 vs 12 with Butula emerging winners.
But, All Saints had other ideas. They composed themselves to have a sweet revenge at the finals and lift the title; with a 12 vs 10 score line.
Principal Chabari attributes this success to hard work and commitment.
“We started building the team in 2021with the form 1 class, the team now is made up of form one, two, three and four students all bred in our school.” Says Sir Chabari.
All Saints are the reigning Eastern region 7’s and 15s champions. They have also collected over six trophies from various tournaments.
Here is a sneak review of their performance at the 2024 Brookside Dairy KSSSA National Term One Games:
Preliminaries’ results
- All Saints 27 vs 08 Saint Patrick’s Iten
- All Saints 06 vs 03 Kisii School
- All Saints 09 vs 12 Butula Boys
Semis results
- All Saints 33 vs 10 Lenana School
Final Result
- All Saints 12 vs 10 Butula Boys
Here are the KSSSA National Term One Games 2024 All Final Results
Reason behind their success.
Among other reasons, the school has had:
1. Intensive and progressive training of students as they join form 1
2. Exposure of players through tournaments
3. Discipline and commitment of the boys.
About the School Principal.
The Principal who has previously served as the Eastern region chairman and KSSSA national executive member is passionate about rugby. He has also served as a commissar at the national level.
All Saints have an elaborate work plan; going forward;
- The administration intends to make All saints a leading incubation centre for rugby players.
- They also target to Win the East Africa School Games (FEASSSA) title this year in Uganda.
- Helping the boys to access national and international scholarships courtesy of rugby remains within the school’s main focus.
Above all, the school acknowledges support from: Mr. Kithinji Kiragu – (Chairman BOD), Director Tom, Mwalimu and Embu county Education office.
For more information, contact the Principal Franklin Chabari on: 0720369596.