In an effort to unearth local talent and to give youngsters an opportunity to develop a passion for rugby, Tony Marageni recently started a rugby club at his home village at Madombidzha.
Marageni said that the Madombidzha Rugby Club was started to give children in the rural areas the same opportunity to play and learn rugby as those in the towns. "We also want to build a rugby culture in Madombidzha and get kids off the streets by getting them involved in as many sports as possible," Marageni added. "With the transformation talks in rugby circles, it is also essential to have such initiatives in the rural areas, where most of the black people live."
When asked if a proper facility existed for the rugby club, he said that they were planning to have a multi-purpose complex built in Madombidzha that would give the community the opportunity to live a more active lifestyle. "With a sustainable rugby club in Madombidzha, businesses will have something to invest in the community, which in turn can improve the economy of the village. The kids who play rugby will also have the opportunity to make a career out of it or even receiving rugby bursaries from top institutions in the country," he added.
He said that they also wanted to introduce rugby in the local schools within the Madombidzha area, which would improve their school facilities and get them more potential sponsors.
The rugby club welcomes everyone willing to play rugby. "The players we have range from six- to 20-year-olds, but everyone is welcome to join us. We won't turn you away," he said.
Marageni explained that he fell in love with rugby at the tender age of six. "I'm passionate about rugby, because it has given me a lot of opportunities and taught me a lot of life skills. I have travelled around the country and created so many brotherhoods through the game of rugby. I love rugby because it teaches one discipline and gives you an opportunity to express yourself, and the fact that it's a fun sport to play is a huge bonus," he added.
If you want to join or support Madombidzha Rugby Club, you can phone Marageni on 0658295655 or write to tonymarageni@gmail.com.