Kingsley School's Historic Kenya Sports Tour
From the Rift Valley to the pitch — rugby, netball and a lifetime of memories
The past two weeks have been unforgettable, as 18 months of careful planning came together in a truly historic first for Kingsley School: our inaugural international sports tour to Kenya.
What began as an exploratory visit to Kenya by our Head grew steadily over the years, inspiring an annual Under-13 tournament, deepening into support for grassroots rugby development in the Rift Valley, and now culminating in a full-scale rugby and netball tour delivered in partnership with DBA Africa.
A Partnership Built on Purpose
Kingsley's support for DBA Africa's Rift Valley programmes has grown into a genuine, lasting relationship, one that funds local fixtures and rugby development, and has given rise to the Kingsley Cup, an annual tournament now held every July, bringing together Rift Valley sides and DBA's Nairobi-based team.
On the Ground in Kenya
From the moment they landed, our students threw themselves into every part of the experience. For many, it was their first visit to Africa.
- Settling in: An energetic training session at KRU shook off the jet lag and got both squads match-ready.
- First fixtures: A busy opening weekend of friendlies set the competitive tone.
- Into the Rift Valley: The tour moved on to be warmly hosted by the prestigious St Andrew's School, Turi.
- The Kingsley Cup: Our students took the reins themselves — coaching local teams, officiating as touch judges, and running the tournament desk — seeing firsthand exactly where the school's fundraising makes a difference.
The tour also included moving outreach visits to Gilgil and the Kibera Girls Soccer Academy in Nairobi, where language barriers melted away through music and dance, as well as safaris across two national parks and evening training sessions hosted by St Christopher's School in Karen.
The final leg brought the competitive action back to the pitch, with matches against a Nairobi Schools Combined side, Rift Valley opposition, and a Nairobi-based selection, a fitting close to a tour that was about so much more than sport. It was also a special moment to have Darlton, a Kingsley scholarship student, part of the tour as a living link between our two communities.
In the Words of Our Head of Rugby
Tom Skelding, Head of Rugby at Kingsley, reflected on the experience:
"Partnering with DBA on our sports tour to Kenya created a unique and holistic experience that will last a lifetime for our students. DBA's experience and local knowledge ensured we were treated to a bespoke sports tour that went way beyond sports fixtures. The experiences and cultural exchange with local Kenyan children were very popular amongst our children and staff, allowing us all to gain perspective, witness what real resilience looks like, and understand the power of positive thinking. Add to this safaris, water parks, shopping malls, and excellent accommodation and hospitality by international schools, and you have the perfect sports tour at a very competitive price. I would not hesitate to recommend DBA to coordinate and deliver our future Kenyan sports tours — we can't wait to start planning our next visit."
With Heartfelt Thanks
Huge thanks to our sports staff, parents and students for their enthusiasm; to St Christopher's School, Pembroke House and St Andrew's School, Turi for their hospitality; to Adequate Safaris for seamless logistics; and to DBA Africa for making this landmark tour possible.
This is only the beginning — we can't wait to return to Kenya, and to build on this partnership for years to come.
Rugby and Netball at Kingsley
This tour builds on strong foundations — rugby and netball are already central to sporting life at Kingsley through our dedicated Sports Academies.
Our Rugby Academy combines elite coaching with clear player pathways from grassroots to professional clubs. Students benefit from top-class coaching led by former professional players, tailored development plans backed by video analysis, and national representation in the Continental Tyres Rugby Competition and Rosslyn Park 7s — alongside international tours like this one.
Our Netball Academy is equally central to school life, pairing elite ambition with inclusive participation. Pupils receive academy-level coaching aligned with county and national pathway standards, compete in the North Devon Netball League, and take part in the much-anticipated annual PGL Netball Tour.
Together with our Football, Judo and Gymnastics Academies, rugby and netball reflect Kingsley's ambition to be one of the UK's leading independent sports schools — offering pathways for elite performers and passionate beginners alike, and giving tours like this one to Kenya real roots in the school's everyday sporting life.
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