We started off our world cup campaign against New Zealandon on pitch 2. A small contingent of Ugandan fans was there to cheer us on.
The Black Ferns are really experienced and it showed. They had an answer for everything we threw at them and they played with such ease and although we defended our hearts out they still scored try after try against us. The final score was 50 - 00. It was the toughest game we had ever played. Although we lost heavily we learned so much from that game both from our mistakes and from how the Black Ferns played. It was a great experience playing New Zealand and we are glad that we were in their pool.
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Friday, 6 March 2009
Build up games
We had two build up games that have boosted our confidence.
We played two games of touch rugby against Brazil (number 1 in South America) on Tuesday. We would have preferred full contact but they were going to the play the USA in the afternooon and did not want to tire themselves. However they were gracious enough to agree to touch rugby. We played two games: each game had 2 halves of 7 minutes. We drew both games 0 - 0.
We played Spain (number 4 in Europe) on Wednesday. It was full contact and a game of three minute halves. We won by 3 tries to 2 with Harriet Kayonjo, myself (Helen) and Justine Bayigga crossing the line. Racheal Kakaire converted all the tries.
Our games start today (Friday) with New Zealand at 11.28 Ugandan time.
I'll give more details of our stay in Dubai after the world cup. For now I'll just be bringing very brief updates whenever I get the chance.
Keep on supporting us.
Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!
We played two games of touch rugby against Brazil (number 1 in South America) on Tuesday. We would have preferred full contact but they were going to the play the USA in the afternooon and did not want to tire themselves. However they were gracious enough to agree to touch rugby. We played two games: each game had 2 halves of 7 minutes. We drew both games 0 - 0.
We played Spain (number 4 in Europe) on Wednesday. It was full contact and a game of three minute halves. We won by 3 tries to 2 with Harriet Kayonjo, myself (Helen) and Justine Bayigga crossing the line. Racheal Kakaire converted all the tries.
Our games start today (Friday) with New Zealand at 11.28 Ugandan time.
I'll give more details of our stay in Dubai after the world cup. For now I'll just be bringing very brief updates whenever I get the chance.
Keep on supporting us.
Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
catching up - in Dubai
Ok, so we land in Dubai in the wee hours of monday morning, tired and sleepy but upbeat all the same. However, by the time we picked up our luggage and got through immigration all we wanted to do was sleep. We got to Atlantis (the 5 star plus hotel all the teams are staying in) at about 3am and finally got to sleep at around 4am. We were up at 8.00am as we had a training session at 11am at one of the warm up pitches at The Sevens (the tournament venue) and it takes about 1 hour to drive there. We did a lot of running and stretching as lack of sleep was making it hard for us to coordinate. Then again there was the wind: it was really really strong. Sometimes the person next to Charlotte would have to hold her down because the wind keep dragging her away - not a nice way to lose a player.
Atlantis is really huge: the fact that it can accommodate 40 teams speaks for itself and we keep getting lost. After breakfast on tuesday, I led the entire team down several corridors to a dead end. Half the Brazilian team had followed us as well. We shared a laugh with them about it as we tried to find the right way. Ha ha. The blind leading the blind. We've spotted all the teams except the Italians. New Zealand is actually on the same floor as us. They seem a pretty friendly bunch with a smile and hello when we meet in the corridors.
I went to the IRB welcome party and captains' photo shoot last night (tuesday night) together with Mutaks and Jero as well as our liaison, David. We found a place to sit and after a couple of minutes I realised that we were sitting next to DJ Forbes (New Zealand men 7's captain), Zar Lawrence and Lote Raikabula. I introduced myself and asked if they minded taking a picture with me and they were really cool about it (I will post that picture later). They asked me for my autograph afterwards but neither of us had a pen ...
2 days to go before we finally get into action. I can't wait.
Atlantis is really huge: the fact that it can accommodate 40 teams speaks for itself and we keep getting lost. After breakfast on tuesday, I led the entire team down several corridors to a dead end. Half the Brazilian team had followed us as well. We shared a laugh with them about it as we tried to find the right way. Ha ha. The blind leading the blind. We've spotted all the teams except the Italians. New Zealand is actually on the same floor as us. They seem a pretty friendly bunch with a smile and hello when we meet in the corridors.
I went to the IRB welcome party and captains' photo shoot last night (tuesday night) together with Mutaks and Jero as well as our liaison, David. We found a place to sit and after a couple of minutes I realised that we were sitting next to DJ Forbes (New Zealand men 7's captain), Zar Lawrence and Lote Raikabula. I introduced myself and asked if they minded taking a picture with me and they were really cool about it (I will post that picture later). They asked me for my autograph afterwards but neither of us had a pen ...
2 days to go before we finally get into action. I can't wait.
catching up - in Uganda
Sorry, it's been a while since I have written. Just too many things going on. I'll start with our camp and work my way up to this moment.
We said our goodbyes on Friday morning then went into camp in Entebbe. We did not do anything hectic. Just going through moves and some running to make sure we maintained our fitness levels. We went to the beach on Saturday night and to the Uganda Wildlife Centre (zoo) on Sunday morning. It was embarrassing how little people know about our country's animals. Girls were calling monitor lizards squirrels and then there was a heated argument over whether a Ugandan bok was a donkey or horse. Really, ladies!!! Even if you have never seen a donkey or a horse before everyone knows that they do NOT have horns!!!
On Sunday at midday, the Minister for Education and Sports came to hotel to hand over the Ugandan flag and to send us off. It was a pretty low key affair but that's what we had expected anyway. We got to the airport and that was where we got a really pleasant surprise. We checked in and as we prepared to go to immigration we were told that Emirates had bumped us up from economy class to business class. Awesome. We got to travel in style. What a nice way to start our journey. We left Entebbe airport at 4.30pm and stopped for one hour in Addis Ababa. From there it was Dubai direct. Before we landed the Emirates cabin crew presented us with a cake for good luck. That was really sweet (both them and the cake). We landed in Dubai at 12.30am. Ok, this is it.
We said our goodbyes on Friday morning then went into camp in Entebbe. We did not do anything hectic. Just going through moves and some running to make sure we maintained our fitness levels. We went to the beach on Saturday night and to the Uganda Wildlife Centre (zoo) on Sunday morning. It was embarrassing how little people know about our country's animals. Girls were calling monitor lizards squirrels and then there was a heated argument over whether a Ugandan bok was a donkey or horse. Really, ladies!!! Even if you have never seen a donkey or a horse before everyone knows that they do NOT have horns!!!
On Sunday at midday, the Minister for Education and Sports came to hotel to hand over the Ugandan flag and to send us off. It was a pretty low key affair but that's what we had expected anyway. We got to the airport and that was where we got a really pleasant surprise. We checked in and as we prepared to go to immigration we were told that Emirates had bumped us up from economy class to business class. Awesome. We got to travel in style. What a nice way to start our journey. We left Entebbe airport at 4.30pm and stopped for one hour in Addis Ababa. From there it was Dubai direct. Before we landed the Emirates cabin crew presented us with a cake for good luck. That was really sweet (both them and the cake). We landed in Dubai at 12.30am. Ok, this is it.
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Breaking news – Lady Cranes go into last camp
The Lady Cranes will go to Entebbe tomorrow (Friday) for their last camp before flying to Dubai. The ICEMARK sponsored ladies are set to depart on Sunday at 4.20pm aboard Emirates. They will land in Dubai on Monday at 12.30am.
The world cup bound team
Racheal Kakaire Babirye (Thunderbirds – Vice captain)
Helen Koyokoyo Buteme (Black Panthers – Captain)
Rosenburg Dinah Kanyunyuzi (Thunderbirds)
Prossy Pearce Nakakande (Black Panthers)
Winnie Alexanda Atyang (Thunderbirds)
Charlotte Thereza Mudoola (Rangers)
Brenda Violet Kayiyi (Black Panthers)
Agnes Nantongo (Thunderbirds)
Harriet Kayonjo (Thunderbirds)
Aalliya Irene Adania (Rangers)
Christine Kizito (Thunderbirds)
Justine Bayigga (N/A)
Head of delegation: Dr Irene Namapii
Head Coach: David Mutaka
Assistant coach: Robert Sseguya
Team manager: Jeroline Akubu
Assistant team manager: Jackie Kigozi
Team doctor: Dr Connie Olwit
I will try to keep blogging regularly to keep you all updated but forgive me if I lapse in my updates. Please click on the link ‘post a comment’ to send us messages of support. Don’t worry that the text colour is the same as the background (I can’t figure out how to change it) but I’ve got a way to read the comments so your efforts will not be wasted. Alternatively you can email us at ladycranesevens@gmail.com
The world cup bound team
Racheal Kakaire Babirye (Thunderbirds – Vice captain)
Helen Koyokoyo Buteme (Black Panthers – Captain)
Rosenburg Dinah Kanyunyuzi (Thunderbirds)
Prossy Pearce Nakakande (Black Panthers)
Winnie Alexanda Atyang (Thunderbirds)
Charlotte Thereza Mudoola (Rangers)
Brenda Violet Kayiyi (Black Panthers)
Agnes Nantongo (Thunderbirds)
Harriet Kayonjo (Thunderbirds)
Aalliya Irene Adania (Rangers)
Christine Kizito (Thunderbirds)
Justine Bayigga (N/A)
Head of delegation: Dr Irene Namapii
Head Coach: David Mutaka
Assistant coach: Robert Sseguya
Team manager: Jeroline Akubu
Assistant team manager: Jackie Kigozi
Team doctor: Dr Connie Olwit
I will try to keep blogging regularly to keep you all updated but forgive me if I lapse in my updates. Please click on the link ‘post a comment’ to send us messages of support. Don’t worry that the text colour is the same as the background (I can’t figure out how to change it) but I’ve got a way to read the comments so your efforts will not be wasted. Alternatively you can email us at ladycranesevens@gmail.com
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Dr Irene Namapii
Name: Irene Namapii
Nickname: Great Leader
Occupation: Veterinary doctor/Sales Manager
Role: Uganda Women’s Rugby Association (UWRA) Chairperson
How did you get involved in rugby? My 2 brothers had played rugby, my sister and her friends were playing rugby, I was working out at a rugby club and some of the ladies moved on to play rugby. There was no way I could escape getting involved.
Best rugby moment as a rugby administrator: When the Lady Cranes qualified for the 2009 WRWC 7s and ICEMARK announcing that they would continue to sponsor the ladies up to World Cup.
Worst rugby moment as a rugby administrator: When we were unable to raise money for Lady Cranes to go and play in South Africa and yet the girls had been training so hard.
How do you feel about going for the World Cup? Ecstatic! I’m dreaming about bringing the trophy home.
What do you think Uganda’s chances at the World Cup are? Uganda is going to surprise the world. You will see us in the semi-finals. Watch this space.
Dr Irene Namapii sits on the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) executive committee as the women’s rugby representative. She also plays for Black Panthers rugby club and dreams of playing for the nation some day: she believes it is never too late. Irene’s younger sister, Helen Buteme, is on the world cup squad to Dubai.
Nickname: Great Leader
Occupation: Veterinary doctor/Sales Manager
Role: Uganda Women’s Rugby Association (UWRA) Chairperson
How did you get involved in rugby? My 2 brothers had played rugby, my sister and her friends were playing rugby, I was working out at a rugby club and some of the ladies moved on to play rugby. There was no way I could escape getting involved.
Best rugby moment as a rugby administrator: When the Lady Cranes qualified for the 2009 WRWC 7s and ICEMARK announcing that they would continue to sponsor the ladies up to World Cup.
Worst rugby moment as a rugby administrator: When we were unable to raise money for Lady Cranes to go and play in South Africa and yet the girls had been training so hard.
How do you feel about going for the World Cup? Ecstatic! I’m dreaming about bringing the trophy home.
What do you think Uganda’s chances at the World Cup are? Uganda is going to surprise the world. You will see us in the semi-finals. Watch this space.
Dr Irene Namapii sits on the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) executive committee as the women’s rugby representative. She also plays for Black Panthers rugby club and dreams of playing for the nation some day: she believes it is never too late. Irene’s younger sister, Helen Buteme, is on the world cup squad to Dubai.
Dr Connie Olwit
Name: Connie Olwit
Occupation: Medical Doctor
Date of birth: 25/10/1983
Dr Connie loves rugby but she never got a chance to play it so she decided to become a ‘rugby’ doctor. While still a medical student at Makerere University she joined the Uganda Rugby Medical Society (URMS) attached herself to Impis – the university rugby team – where she alternated between dancing on the sidelines cheering her team on and taking care of the player’s injuries. Last year, URMS assigned Dr Connie to the Lady Cranes’ and she thought that her work had become easier. However, she was surprised to discover that there is no difference in the injuries between male and female rugby players and that women rugby players are just as pig headed as male rugby players. During the Lady Cranes’ training sessions Dr Connie devotes her time to dragging protesting injured players off the pitch and taping their ankles together so that they cannot move. Dr Connie wishes that she had more time on her hands so that she could do weight training to make her task of handling the players a lot easier.
Occupation: Medical Doctor
Date of birth: 25/10/1983
Dr Connie loves rugby but she never got a chance to play it so she decided to become a ‘rugby’ doctor. While still a medical student at Makerere University she joined the Uganda Rugby Medical Society (URMS) attached herself to Impis – the university rugby team – where she alternated between dancing on the sidelines cheering her team on and taking care of the player’s injuries. Last year, URMS assigned Dr Connie to the Lady Cranes’ and she thought that her work had become easier. However, she was surprised to discover that there is no difference in the injuries between male and female rugby players and that women rugby players are just as pig headed as male rugby players. During the Lady Cranes’ training sessions Dr Connie devotes her time to dragging protesting injured players off the pitch and taping their ankles together so that they cannot move. Dr Connie wishes that she had more time on her hands so that she could do weight training to make her task of handling the players a lot easier.
Jackie Kigozi
Name: Jackie Kigozi
Nickname: Sister
How did you get involved in rugby? It was a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time i.e. I happened to be keeping fit at a rugby pitch when volunteers for women’s rugby were needed at the time – thereafter forever involved.
Best rugby moment as a team manager: The many wins the Lady Cranes have had over the years but the sweetest being our WRWC qualifiers win against a hostile Tunisian team.
Worst rugby moment as a team manager: comes with the territory of dealing with women.
How do you feel about going for the World Cup? It is a moment of truth – I am plagued with so many mixed emotions but I believe the ladies have put in their all and will play their game the best way that they know how.
What do you think Uganda’s chances at the World Cup are? I believe the ladies are as ready as can be and will play their hearts out – just watch and support them.
Jacki Kigozi is a motherly yet at the same time a no nonsense woman who is always keen to get involved. One training session she volunteered to hold a ruck pad as the players went through contact drills. A player charged into her sending her flying about 2 metres backwards and Jackie hurt herself when she landed. Luckily it was not a major injury but since then Jackie has enrolled in a gym for weight training … just in case her services are ever needed again.
Nickname: Sister
How did you get involved in rugby? It was a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time i.e. I happened to be keeping fit at a rugby pitch when volunteers for women’s rugby were needed at the time – thereafter forever involved.
Best rugby moment as a team manager: The many wins the Lady Cranes have had over the years but the sweetest being our WRWC qualifiers win against a hostile Tunisian team.
Worst rugby moment as a team manager: comes with the territory of dealing with women.
How do you feel about going for the World Cup? It is a moment of truth – I am plagued with so many mixed emotions but I believe the ladies have put in their all and will play their game the best way that they know how.
What do you think Uganda’s chances at the World Cup are? I believe the ladies are as ready as can be and will play their hearts out – just watch and support them.
Jacki Kigozi is a motherly yet at the same time a no nonsense woman who is always keen to get involved. One training session she volunteered to hold a ruck pad as the players went through contact drills. A player charged into her sending her flying about 2 metres backwards and Jackie hurt herself when she landed. Luckily it was not a major injury but since then Jackie has enrolled in a gym for weight training … just in case her services are ever needed again.
Jeroline Akubu
Name: Jeroline Akubu
Nickname: Jero
Occupation: Lawyer
Date of birth: 28/04/1975
How did you get involved in rugby? A friend I used to work out with wanted to join rugby but she was scared to go alone so I went along with her and got hooked. Rugby is a game with the most fun players and fans. It allows one to live on the edge (otherwise one is taking up too much space).
Best rugby moment as a team manager: When the Lady Cranes qualified for the world cup.
Worst rugby moment as a team manager: When Charlotte Mudoola got a concussion during the pool game against Tunisia and was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament. That hurt because she had put so much into rugby and had never missed a training session despite being in her final year of law school.
How do you feel about going for the World Cup? Like hard work actually pays, then you have to pay some more.
What do you think Uganda’s chances at the World Cup are? As good as any team.
Jeroline Akubu actually played rugby at some point in her life – that was before she grew her nails. While in South Africa, her coach had a problem on where to field her: she was (still is) big, fast and tall so she played lock, winger and fullback. Her worst moment as a player was when she sprained her ankle just before the Brown University tour to Uganda so she could not play for her then club, Thunderbirds.
Nickname: Jero
Occupation: Lawyer
Date of birth: 28/04/1975
How did you get involved in rugby? A friend I used to work out with wanted to join rugby but she was scared to go alone so I went along with her and got hooked. Rugby is a game with the most fun players and fans. It allows one to live on the edge (otherwise one is taking up too much space).
Best rugby moment as a team manager: When the Lady Cranes qualified for the world cup.
Worst rugby moment as a team manager: When Charlotte Mudoola got a concussion during the pool game against Tunisia and was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament. That hurt because she had put so much into rugby and had never missed a training session despite being in her final year of law school.
How do you feel about going for the World Cup? Like hard work actually pays, then you have to pay some more.
What do you think Uganda’s chances at the World Cup are? As good as any team.
Jeroline Akubu actually played rugby at some point in her life – that was before she grew her nails. While in South Africa, her coach had a problem on where to field her: she was (still is) big, fast and tall so she played lock, winger and fullback. Her worst moment as a player was when she sprained her ankle just before the Brown University tour to Uganda so she could not play for her then club, Thunderbirds.
Robert Sseguya
Name: Robert Sseguya
Nickname: Soggy
Occupation: EHS Officer
Date of birth: 17/08/1978
Role: Assistant coach
How did you get involved in coaching women’s rugby? It’s about five years down the road when a group of girls lead by Helen Buteme approached me to coach them as they had formed a new ladies rugby team but it lacked a coach, so from then I have not looked back.
Best rugby moment as a coach: When I saw my team defeat Tunisia in a do or die qualifier game after losing to them the day before.
Worst rugby moment as a coach: When I could not field my best team for the world cup qualifiers due to injuries and indiscipline amongst players.
How do you feel about going for the World Cup? It doesn’t happen always and not every one can have a chance to represent his/her country at this level! It’s a blessing.
What do you think Uganda’s chances at the World Cup are? Top 8 finish.
Robert Sseguya has represented Uganda in both the 7 aside and 15 aside codes of the game (actually he still does). He has won numerous MVP awards and in 2007 he captained the African Leopards team (a team comprising the best 15 aside players from all over Africa – with the exception of South Africa). As a coach, Soggy is a hard task master and he insists that he does not coach women – he coaches rugby players. He believes that rugby is safely played by both sexes and its inclusion in the Olympic games is long over due.
Nickname: Soggy
Occupation: EHS Officer
Date of birth: 17/08/1978
Role: Assistant coach
How did you get involved in coaching women’s rugby? It’s about five years down the road when a group of girls lead by Helen Buteme approached me to coach them as they had formed a new ladies rugby team but it lacked a coach, so from then I have not looked back.
Best rugby moment as a coach: When I saw my team defeat Tunisia in a do or die qualifier game after losing to them the day before.
Worst rugby moment as a coach: When I could not field my best team for the world cup qualifiers due to injuries and indiscipline amongst players.
How do you feel about going for the World Cup? It doesn’t happen always and not every one can have a chance to represent his/her country at this level! It’s a blessing.
What do you think Uganda’s chances at the World Cup are? Top 8 finish.
Robert Sseguya has represented Uganda in both the 7 aside and 15 aside codes of the game (actually he still does). He has won numerous MVP awards and in 2007 he captained the African Leopards team (a team comprising the best 15 aside players from all over Africa – with the exception of South Africa). As a coach, Soggy is a hard task master and he insists that he does not coach women – he coaches rugby players. He believes that rugby is safely played by both sexes and its inclusion in the Olympic games is long over due.
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