Kenya: Impala launches programme to strengthen athlete safety and wel…

Kenyan rugby club Impala RFC has officially launched its Safeguarding Pilot, marking the start of a 16-week programme aimed at strengthening athlete safety, wellbeing, and safeguarding across the sport.

The launch took place on Saturday, 8 August 2026, at Impala Club, Ngong Road, Nairobi, bringing together members of the Impala Rugby Executive Committee, coaches, and the technical team alongside MichezoSAFETunza Safeguarding. The pilot will run through to 27 November 2026, with a review planned for December. biznow.biz

Launched on Safe Sport Day 2026, the initiative reflects a shared commitment to move safeguarding beyond policy and into the everyday experience of sport. The pilot forms Phase One of the Impala Safe Club 2030 programme, beginning with rugby as the first section in which the safeguarding framework will be developed, tested, and strengthened.

The intention is to use the lessons from the rugby pilot to inform a broader safeguarding approach across the club. During the launch session, participants discussed the purpose and scope of the pilot, the 16-week implementation plan, safeguarding leadership roles, responsibilities of the different partners, and the immediate actions required to get the programme underway. The pilot will cover the whole rugby section — every squad, every coach, and every volunteer.

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This includes age-grade and junior teams, senior men’s squads, the women’s side, coaches, officials, and volunteers. Safeguarding considerations around match days, travel and tours, changing rooms and facilities, parents and spectators, athlete wellbeing, and the reporting and handling of concerns will also form part of the programme.

Over the coming months, the work will move through five stages — Assess, Design, Build, Equip and Embed — beginning with understanding the current rugby environment and identifying risks, before developing policies, codes, reporting systems and training that can be embedded into day-to-day club life.

A strong emphasis will also be placed on building the safeguarding capacity of the people closest to athletes. Coaches and team officials will receive training on safe coaching, conduct, and recognising and reporting concerns, while players, volunteers, parents, and guardians will also be engaged through tailored sessions.

The launch represents an important first step in building a safeguarding system that is practical, understood, and visible across the rugby environment. It is also an opportunity to learn. By testing the approach within a working rugby club, the pilot will help identify what effective safeguarding looks like in practice, what needs strengthening, and what lessons may be useful for other sporting environments.

Launching the programme on Safe Sport Day gives that commitment added significance. Safe sport is not simply about having the right policy. It is about creating environments where athletes feel safe, respected, supported, and able to speak up. The launch marks the beginning of that journey at Impala Rugby.

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Former Free State Stars defender Yusuf Jappie has shared a hilarious story about his experience with muti during his playing days, which came against Kaizer Chiefs.

The 31-year-old, who also featured for clubs such as Golden Arrows, is the latest former PSL player to open up about the use of muti in South African football.

Over the years, several retired local footballers have shared stories about their experiences with muti, with some claiming it helped them win important matches or trophies, while others have insisted it had no effect.

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt previously recalled the use of muti during his time at Black Leopards and Moroka Swallows, revealing that he once suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates despite having muti used on both himself and his players.

Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Teko Modise has also spoken about his experiences with traditional practices in football.

Jappie recently spoke to KickOff about his own experience with muti during his PSL career, revealing how he was once forced to use a mysterious substance before a match against Chiefs.

“I don’t believe in it, obviously because of my religion, but I did play for clubs that believed in muti.

“I remember standing in a shower with a two-litre bottle of Coca-Cola, but what was inside was not Coke. I didn’t want to use it, but they warned me, ‘If you don’t want to do it, we will tell the boss!’

Jappie says Muti helped them beat Chiefs

“I had to do it. I had to wash from my elbows down to my hands, both arms, and from my knees to my feet. I also had to wash my face with it.

“That day, we beat Kaizer Chiefs 2-1,” Jappie said.

Do you think Muti plays a big role in teams winning?

Cassius Mailula has set his sights on scoring more goals and helping Mamelodi Sundowns challenge for silverware this season.

The 25-year-old return to Sundowns after completing a transfer from Major Soccer League side Toronto FC.

Mailula hit the ground running in his second stint with the Brazilians after he came off the bench to score the winning goal in their 3-2 win over Polokwane City in the MTN8.

Mailula says he is delighted to be back home and contributing to the team’s success.

“Feels good to be back home,” Mailula told Mamelodi Sundowns TV.

“Very, very amazing feeling; I think it’s actually the best feeling because I also helped the team you know. It shows that I’m actually here to help the team and continue to contribute to the success of the team.

“For me, it’s just to continue scoring helping the team. I actually want to win trophies. You know, for me, it’s just to go all out to win all the trophies to also score more goals. You know, yeah, that’s it.”

Our new signings reflect on the importance of a winning start and their ambitions for the season ahead 👆🔥#Sundowns #MTN8 #NeverStopRising pic.twitter.com/sLfDJPmiDW

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) August 10, 2026

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The post Mailula Eyes More Goals and Silverware With Sundowns appeared first on SportsClub.

A surging Liam Squire set up Ben Smith to complete a stunning attacking burst during a 2016 clash against the Boks as the All Blacks gear up to tackle the Sharks at Kings Park.

After 10 years… we’re back in Durban

This time ~ Hollywoodbets Sharks pic.twitter.com/cMdjY66jZR

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 11, 2026

Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images

The post Rewind: All Blacks put foot down in Durbs appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Mamelodi Sundowns are in talks to secure a loan move for goalkeeper Jody February for the current campaign.

February has struggled for game time at Sundowns following his returning from a loan spell with AmaZulu.

According to his agent Mike Makaab, nothing has been finalised as yet, but there is a likelihood that February will leave Sundowns.

Having played second fiddle to both Ronwen Williams and Denis Onyango last term, the 30-year-old is eager to return to the pitch.

The return of Bafana Bafana second-choice goalkeeper Ricardo Goss to the club has moved February further down the pecking order.

Goss spent the two last seasons on loan at Siwelele FC, previously known as SuperSport United which is defunct.

And he is now set to challenge Williams for that No.1 spot under the tutelage of coach Miguel Cardoso at Sundowns.

Also read: Bafana Bafana news: SAFA doubles Mosimane’s salary offer

SUNDOWNS TALKS TO SECURE FEBRUARY A MOVE

“Look for Ricardo Goss; we are looking at loan opportunities for him to get game-time and get back to the best form that we all know,” Makaab told FARPost.

“At the moment, nothing is final in terms of February’s future at Mamelodi Sundowns, as I said we are still looking at options for a loan move.”

Also read | Bafana Bafana news: Mosimane rejects R5 million-a-year salary

WHICH PSL TEAM SHOULD SIGN FEBRUARY?

Let us know in the comment section below…