The Rise of the Queens: 1000 Hills Rugby Leads the Charge in Women's 15s

There are wins that change scoreboards and there are wins that change stories.
For the 1000 Hills Rugby Queens, their 74 – 00 triumph over Resilience Women RFC was not just a debut in the 2025 Rwanda Rugby Women’s 15s League. It was the return of a dream long paused by the pandemic, but reignited by resilience, vision, and the power of sport to shape futures.
This was a moment not just for a club, but for women’s rugby in Rwanda.

While the 1000 Hills Women’s program existed before, it was restarted in 2022, following the COVID-19 disruption. The mission was clear: rebuild, recruit, and rise. What began with just 20 players is now a thriving team of 35 young women, most between 17 and 21 years old, many still attending school.
Through strategic MOUs signed with Groupe Scolaire Gatenga and Kagarama Secondary School, the club created a pipeline for young girls to train, grow, and play competitively a critical move in a country where U18 participation in women’s rugby had been a major challenge.

This year, Rwanda launched its first-ever structured national women’s 15s league, featuring six teams split into two pools.
1000 Hills Rugby Queens were drawn into Pool A, alongside:
● Zebra Women RFC (Southern Province – Ruhango District)

● Resilience Women RFC (Western Province – Rusizi District)

The format: home and away matches, with the top two teams in each pool advancing to semifinals and finals.
After Round 1, 1000 Hills Queens sit at the top of Pool A with 5 points, and eyes firmly on the semifinal spot. Their next test will be a home fixture at Don Bosco, Gatenga on August 17, 2025, against Zebra Women RFC.

In their opening match, the Queens played with pace, power, and poise. From the very first phases, the team dominated territory, recycled possession with ease, and finished with flair. Tries came from all over the park backs, forwards, off set pieces and broken play. It was total rugby.
First-half scorers included: Florence Uwamahoro, Sarah Kirabo (twice), Gasengayire Jacqueline, and Zula Tegutumwa (twice).
Conversions were neatly slotted by Alanyo Nema Sarah.
The halftime score read: 1000 Hills 40 – 00 Resilience.
The second half brought more brilliance: tries from Florence again, captain Liliane Umwiza, Clarisse Niyonkuru, Diane Uwizeyimana, and Sarah Kirabo, completing her hat-trick in style.
Final score: 1000 Hills Rugby Queens 74 – 00 Resilience Women RFC.

The team that took the field for this milestone match was a blend of seasoned leadership and youthful promise:
● Props: Samantha Igihozo, Uwase Mariam (Vice Captain)

● Hooker: Gasengayire Jacqueline

● Locks: Uwimana Nadia, Igihozo Kevine

● Flankers: Uwingabire Fillette, Umwiza Liliane (Captain)

● Number 8: Uwizeyimana Diane

● Scrum-half: Lucky Nirere

● Fly-half: Alanyo Nema Sarah

● Wings: Niyonkuru Clarisse, Uwamahoro Florence

● Centres: Zula Tegutumwa, Kirabo Sarah

● Fullback: Kamikazi Jessica

Substitutes: Nema Uwase, Dinah Tumukunde, Chania Umulisa, Henriette Uwitonze, Clemence Ihimbazwe, Mimi Uwimana

At 1000 Hills Rugby, the Women’s Program is about more than what happens on match day. It’s about transformation — of young women, their futures, and the communities they come from.
Our program offers:
● Regular fitness and rugby training tailored to player levels

● Educational support — including school fees, learning materials, and academic mentorship

● Career and life skills workshops, preparing athletes for life beyond the pitch

● Leadership and confidence-building, shaping role models and future changemakers

● Mentorship from experienced players and coaches, fostering personal growth

This is not just a rugby team. This is a movement — and the movement is gaining momentum.

The Queens will return to action on August 17th at Don Bosco Grounds, taking on Zebra Women RFC in what promises to be another high-impact clash. The goal remains clear: top Pool A, reach the semis, and chase the title.

But win or lose, this much is certain:
The 1000 Hills Rugby Queens have already changed the game.