By Trevor Makonyonga
One of the brilliant minds in women’s rugby, Prosper “Fumhee” Mubaiwa has expressed eagerness to take charge of a national side saying that it is the ultimate dream in his career.
In an interview with Bustop TV, Mubaiwa gave an insight into his sporting career.
“Its a great step to be coaching the national side at the same time its a huge honor. It is my dream to one day be able to serve the rugby community and the country. I pray one day i get to live this dream and take the Sables to the World Cup and compete with the bigger teams. So being in charge of a national side is a challenge i am ready for.”
The 29 year old Rushinga boy narrated how he fell for rugby despite the soccer boots laced well on his feet.
“It was back in 2005 when my long time friend, Antony Mutara, coach Chicken, invited me to come watch him play on a Saturday at The Heritage School. So we go there and when they doing their warm up he came to me and said the team is a man short and asked me to jump on and give it a try and I dumped my soccer boots for rugby.”
It is in coaching that Fumhee, as he is widely known, has made huge accomplishments transforming Goromonzi girls team into a formidable force in the country and providing most of his players to the national teams.
Fumhee added that he ventured into coaching after completing his A level education.
“My coaching journey started at Vainona high after I finished my A level in 2010, I came back to help out with the junior teams in 2011. One of the days while at practice, I saw five girls playing with the oval shaped ball and they were excited. I challenged them to find other girls that wanted to give rugby a try, next training there were over twenty girls in kit wanting to try the game. From that day I fell in love with women’s rugby. In no time we had a team, a competitive one for that matter. In 2012, Vainona made their debut appearance at the Dairiboard Schools Rugby Festival winning all their three games. It was a perfect introduction for me and the team. Later that year, Goromonzi high started coming to tournaments as there was no league back then. The size of the girls wouldn’t go unnoticed and their teacher in charge Mrs Chipunza asked if I could maybe help them with one or two drills after games and eventually Goromonzi made an offer which i gladly took. So i joined Goromonzi high school in 2012,” he said.
The Goromonzi coach and FS Raiders director said that it is “always refreshing and motivating” to have his mentees turn into proffesional players.
“It is indeed something any coach would be proud of. Its always refreshing and motivating to see players that pass through your hands make it big out there. For me, its starts with accepting your gift and thank God for it. In shona we say munhu wese ane chipo chake, its always my pleasure to nurture and impart what i know to the next player. Its not easy to be a coach, you need to work extra hard, identify your plan, be consistent and if it doesnt work today, try harder tomorrow.”
He boasts of such achievements as winning the Zambezi 7s U19 tournament in Victoria Falls, being in charge of arguably the best girls schools team in Zimbabwe and also being a referee of the game.
Asked on how he balances his different roles in rugby, Fumhee simply responded, “Anything rugby, there is no challenge.”
In parting, Mubaiwa said, “There is a burning desire in my heart, to see the women’s game grow to its fullest potential and i want to play my part. Women have for long been an afterthought and i commit to be pro women and continue working tirelessly to serve the game. So in essence I’m driven by the zeal to see women prosper, by the passion and vision of being part of an institution that is recognized world wide as a hub of rugby excellence. By a dream to see Zimbabwe one day lift the World Cup trophy.”
With his positive energy, Mubaiwa looks set to continue breaking ground.
I am ready for a national side: Fumhee
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