By Trevor Makonyonga
The Zimbabwe Lady Cheetahs trials are set to come to an end as the Harare event takes place this weekend from Friday November 30 to Sunday December 1 at Harare Sports Club.
The Cheetahs released a statement calling women from all around the country to come and participate at their tournament as they are looking for the next generation of players.
“In the month of November will embark on a talent search for the next group of 7s stars. We are inviting women from all around Zimbabwe to come and participate in nationwide trials to identify Zimbabwe’s next stars. We are inviting athletes from all sporting disciplines who would like to give it a go at 7s,” reads the statement.
Now that the process is almost over, the Zimbabwe 7s Ladies coach, Derec Chiwara, said he is looking forward to an exciting three days.
“Well this is our last stop and we are having the trials in Harare. We are looking forward to an exciting 3 days and expecting a good turnout. We are taking the girls through different types of tests, from speed, skills, awareness and the physicality,”said Chiwara.
Chiwara also mentioned the coaches who will be helping with the selection process.
“I will get assistance from quite a number of coaches which make this a team effort picking Zimbabwe’s future stars. Coach Phil Zim womens coach, Fortune Chipendu former zim 7s coach, Coach Fumhe Goromonzi gaffer, Coach Victor and Milton from Mbare academy and Coach TJ Harare Sports Club manager will be assisting in the selection and paces throughout the weekend,” he added.
The ladies who are expected to come are from the ages of 17-25. Previous experience with the sport is not mandatory as the coach has emphasized the need “for raw talent.”
The trials have since taken place in Mutare and Bulawayo. Harare will give a close to the trials which are being conducted by Zimbabwe Women’s Rugby and the Zimbabwe Rugby Union.
Friday November 29 will see registration taking place from 3pm to 6pm at Harare Sports Club. Saturday and Sunday trials begin at 8am at Harare Sports Club. Players who have already represented Zimbabwe or have been called up before are not going to be part of the exercise.
