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
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.
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
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.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 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.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 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.Raga House (2018-11-23), http://ragahouse.com/news/item/introducing-homeboyz-samurai-for-dubai-7s/ Introducing Homeboyz Samurai for Dubai 7s
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. 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.Sports News Arena (2011-05-19), http://sportsnewsarena.com/murunga-double-wins-mwamba-cup-for-homeboyz/ Murunga Double Wins Mwamba Cup For Homeboyz
In 2013, Homeboyz Rugby finished 4th in the National Sevens Circuit winning their first sevens main cup trophy, the Kabeberi 7s.
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.
In the 2015 Enterprise Cup, the team reaches its first senior final in the Enterprise Cup losing 28 - 0 to KCB.
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.
In 2017, Homeboyz RFC finished third overall in the National Sevens Circuit having won the Driftwood 7's and Dala 7's in the process. That same year saw them reach the Kenya Cup semi-finals for the first time after finishing the regular season in position one. Homeboyz RFC drew an average home attendance of 205 in the 2017 season.
In 2018, they won the Enterprise Cup, beating Impala Saracens 21 - 3 at the RFUEA Ground. 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. 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 tableAlphaTeamPWDLPFPAPDTBPPTS 1 Kabras 16 15 0 1 677 132 +545 14 74 2 KCB 16 14 1 1 573 213 +360 14 71 3 Homeboyz 16 13 1 2 524 232 +292 12 66 4 Impala 16 9 0 7 406 307 +99 12 48 5 Mwamba 16 9 0 7 389 391 -2 7 43 6 Menengai Oilers 16 8 0 8 412 382 +30 9 41 7 Nakuru 16 8 0 8 323 393 -70 6 38 8 Blak Blad 16 5 0 11 326 453 -127 8 28 9 Harlequin 16 5 0 11 283 414 -131 7 27 10 Nondescripts 16 5 0 11 316 444 -128 6 26 11 Western Bulls 16 3 0 13 188 509 -321 -1 11 12 Kisumu 16 1 0 15 173 738 -565 -2 2
Eric Shirley Shield 2019–20 Eric Shirley Shield tableBravoTeamPWDLPFPAPDTBPPTS 1 KCB 16 14 1 1 638 163 +475 14 72 2 Kabras 16 14 1 1 576 103 +473 14 72 3 Menengai Oilers 16 13 0 3 471 259 +212 13 65 4 Homeboyz 16 11 1 4 390 225 +165 8 54 5 Impala 16 10 1 5 458 202 +256 10 52 6 Mwamba 16 8 1 7 370 298 +72 10 44 7 Nakuru 16 9 0 7 317 336 -19 8 44 8 Blak Blad 16 5 0 11 186 572 -386 4 24 9 Harlequin 16 4 1 11 232 407 -175 4 22 10 Nondescripts 16 3 0 13 161 391 -230 6 18 11 Western Bulls 16 2 0 14 102 403 -301 -13 -5 12 Kisumu 16 0 0 16 58 600 -542 -5 -5
2020 Enterprise Cup
2020 Mwamba Cup
Colours and crest
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 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.
Squad
Coaching and management staff
Position Name Nationality Backs and skills coach Simon Odongo Forwards coach Elisha Okello Strength & conditioning coach Michael Mulugu Assistant team manager Edward Wekesa Logistics manager Spencer Githinji Lead physiotherapist Samuel Ochieng
Current squad
Homeboyz Rugby's current squadProps Thomas Okidia Abel Matanda Meshack Akenga Elfas Etemesi Joseph Amalemba John Gichuhi
Hookers Aaron Khalechi Bruce Shiemi Uyn Omaya
Locks Polycap Odhiambo Wallace Onyango Emmanuel Silungi Roy Wesonga c Malcom Oketch Douglas OpaniBack row Stanley Isogol Levis Ochieng Reinhard Ngaira Paul Akatch Elijah Nganga Philbert Mwanzo Brian Kitiva Keith Wasike
Scrum-halves Mohammed Omollo Lugonzo Ligamy Michael Nyakundi
Fly-halves Henry Ayah Arnold Onzere Kelvin MasaiCentres Maxwell Kangeri Bob Muhati Jan Remke Jeffrey Oluoch Zeden Marrow c Nelson Sangurah
Wingers
Leonard Mugaisi Alvin Otieno Bush Mwale Collins Shikoli Victor Odhiambo Bryan Juma
Fullbacks Michael Wanjala Brian Ayimba Amon Wamalwa (c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes players who have represented the national Under 20, 7's or 15's team.
Academy squad
Homeboyz Rugby's Academy SquadProps Albert Kinyanjui Hector Muindi Kennedy Mutuku Kisise Okeyo
Hookers Bevon Mutuma Mike Munene
Locks Patrick Mwakina Eric Bwayo Felix OumaBack row Jesse Mugonyi Isaac Akali Charles Omulakho
Scrum-halves Simon Gathii Emmanuel Osundwa
Fly-halves Eric OgutuCentres Alvin Wanjala Joseph Kilozo George Mogusu
Wingers Victor Shigoli Tom Ojango Kelvin Agwambo John Ochar Pius Odera
Fullbacks 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 SquadProps Millicent Opalla Mercy Migongo
Hookers Peris Kagendo
Locks Namariq Musa Enid Ouma Emmaculate AwuorBack row Sophie Aiyeta Janet Awuor Awino Leah Njogu Sheila Atanyi Shariffa Chiringa
Scrum-halves Naomi Asungu Irene Awino Otieno Eunice Momanyi
Fly-halves Dorcas SinaidaCentres Sheila Kavugwe Chajira c Cynthia Camilla
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
Coaches
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 CoachSeason(s) 2009/10 – 2010/11 2011/12 - 2016/17 2017/18 – 2018/19 2019/20 – 2020
Notable players
Olympians
The following Homeboyz players represented Kenya at the 2020 Summer Olympics:
Alvin Otieno Jeff Oluoch Sheila Kavugwe Chajira Cynthia Atieno Leah Wambui
The following Homeboyz players represented Kenya at the 2016 Summer Olympics:
Oscar Ayodi Bush Mwale Lugonzo Ligamy Sheila Kavugwe Chajira Janet Awuor Awino Irene Awino Otieno Linet Arasa Rachael Adhiambo Mbogo
Singapore Sevens winners The following Homeboyz players were part of the team that won the 2016 Singapore Sevens:
Oscar Ayodi Alvin Otieno Lugonzo Ligamy
Rugby World Cup Sevens The following Homeboyz players have represented Kenya at the Rugby World Cup Sevens:
Michael Wanjala (2013) Oscar Ayodi (2018) Jeff Oluoch (2018)
Commonwealth Games The following Homeboyz players have represented Kenya at the Commonwealth Games:
Michael Wanjala (2014) Oscar Ayodi (2018) Jeff 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:
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: 2019–2020
References