On a warm Saturday morning in the hills of Ndera, a suburb just outside downtown’s capital Kigali, over 350 spectators gathered to witness a remarkable event: the fifth edition of the Ndera Rugby Cup. The tournament, quietly growing year by year, has become a symbol of grassroots sports development in Rwanda.
The event, held at the Petit Séminaire Stadium, brought together 10 teams from local schools and community clubs in a festival of youth rugby, featuring boys, girls, and mixed teams as young as 12. With 37 tries scored across several age categories, the day offered more than just sport it showcased a community coming together through play, empowerment, and purpose.
The event, held at the Petit Séminaire Stadium, brought together 10 teams from local schools and community clubs in a festival of youth rugby, featuring boys, girls, and mixed teams as young as 12. With 37 tries scored across several age categories, the day offered more than just sport it showcased a community coming together through play, empowerment, and purpose.
A Legacy Sparked by a Volunteer
The tournament began in 2019, the vision of Valerio, an Italian volunteer from NGO Anymore Onlus, who after playing in Rwanda's national rugby league with 1000 Hills Rugby, started informal coaching sessions at schools in Ndera. What began as grassroots outreach has grown into a structured annual competition nurturing school-age talent across the City of Kigali.
"We realized that kids needed not just to play, but to develop their skills in a meaningful, long-term way," said Twizeyimana Elisa, the lead organizer from 1000 Hills Rugby. "This tournament ensures they grow inside the game, not just play it."
"We realized that kids needed not just to play, but to develop their skills in a meaningful, long-term way," said Twizeyimana Elisa, the lead organizer from 1000 Hills Rugby. "This tournament ensures they grow inside the game, not just play it."
Winners, Players, and Potential
Three categories U14 Mixed, U18 Boys, and Women’s showcased emerging talent.
• In the U14 Mixed category, three 1000 Hills Rugby teams Utunuma, Utunyoni, and Utunyange—faced off with ALFA Kagugu, making their tournament debut.
🥇 Utunuma took first place, with strong showings from their peers.
• In the U18 Boys, 1000 Hills defeated Ndera Hills and ALFA Kagugu in a highly contested round robin.
• Among the Women’s teams, 1000 Hills B stood out, but the crowd favourite was the unity and sportsmanship shown by all teams.
Most Valuable Player honours went to:
• 🏆 Nsanzineza Jean Claude (U18 Boys)
• 🏆 Uwizeyimana Diane (U18 Girls)
• 🏆 Masengesho Sifa (U14 Mixed)
• In the U14 Mixed category, three 1000 Hills Rugby teams Utunuma, Utunyoni, and Utunyange—faced off with ALFA Kagugu, making their tournament debut.
🥇 Utunuma took first place, with strong showings from their peers.
• In the U18 Boys, 1000 Hills defeated Ndera Hills and ALFA Kagugu in a highly contested round robin.
• Among the Women’s teams, 1000 Hills B stood out, but the crowd favourite was the unity and sportsmanship shown by all teams.
Most Valuable Player honours went to:
• 🏆 Nsanzineza Jean Claude (U18 Boys)
• 🏆 Uwizeyimana Diane (U18 Girls)
• 🏆 Masengesho Sifa (U14 Mixed)
Challenges and Opportunities
While the energy was undeniable, the tournament faced some logistical setbacks, including a delayed kickoff and limited safety gear such as gum shields. Organizers acknowledged the gaps, but emphasized the broader mission: consistent growth and a safe, inclusive space for youth sport.
“There’s potential here,” noted Luigi, one of the Anymore Onlus volunteers. “Not just for rugby, but for life skills, community identity, and opportunity.”
“There’s potential here,” noted Luigi, one of the Anymore Onlus volunteers. “Not just for rugby, but for life skills, community identity, and opportunity.”
A Model for Youth Empowerment Through Sport
With a backdrop of global discussions around sports and development, the Ndera Rugby Cup stands as a testament to what community-led initiatives can achieve. It's a partnership between local leaders, international volunteers from Anymore Onlus, and young athletes driven by passion rather than funding.
This year's event was a powerful reminder that the future of sport and the next generation of leaders might just be found on dusty fields like those in Ndera.
We will continue following the progress of this initiative as 1000 Hills Rugby expands its reach, aiming to build a professional club structure rooted in education, character development, and community inclusion.
This year's event was a powerful reminder that the future of sport and the next generation of leaders might just be found on dusty fields like those in Ndera.
We will continue following the progress of this initiative as 1000 Hills Rugby expands its reach, aiming to build a professional club structure rooted in education, character development, and community inclusion.