Ms Sarallynne Otieno, 29 would look like any other woman in her African print dress, mild facial make up and high heel shoes. However, Ms Otieno is a referee for a sport that has been termed as ‘for thugs but played by gentlemen.’
Ms Otieno is the first Kenya woman rugby referee, and has done her part time job in both local and international (men and women) tournaments since 2009.
The first year University of Nairobi Public Relations student said that she started off the game as a player in 2003, and it is only after the now Kenya Rugby Union Chairman Mwangi Muthee encouraged her and a few other ladies to take up the sport, that she did.
The ladies, who according to Ms Otieno were mistaken for spectators, started training intensively to form the team.
“It (the ladies team) started theoretically. We trained, and played our first game in 2005 against Uganda ,” Ms Otieno said.
Ms Otieno played the game for at least five years before tearing her ankle ligament that brought an end to her playing the game. However, she did not stop wanting to participate in the game and therefore decided to take up refereeing.
“ Rugby is a family, it brings people together. Once you step on the field, it is hard to leave,” Ms Otieno said.
The now professional referee is one of the few Kenya referees that have been able to attend the Stellenbosch Academy in South Africa to be trained on proper refereeing and coaching.
“I am the only East African woman referee in the International Rugby Board (IRB). I said I wanted to ref and that is what I am doing, it is important to know exactly what you want,” Ms Otieno emphasized.
The former Kenya women 7 a-side and 15 a-side player said that she hopes more women would embrace the sport and remove the gender biased perception they have of it.
She expressed disappointment that many young girls are introduced to the sport when they are in high school, but fail to have an avenue to continue the sport when they leave the schools.
“Women’s rugby is very sensitive. You cannot just play with a woman’s body, but when these girls finish high school, they should be taken into an academy, to grow the talent,” Ms Otieno said.
The former captain of the Kenya women’s squad also piloted the growth of high school girls’ rugby from 2004; the schools included Moi Girls School Nairobi , Kenya High, Pangani Girls and Precious Blood Riruta.
“In a school like Moi girls, I got at least a full team. I became a role model and I decided to lead by example. When I left the union, the program stopped. Now many women play touch- a non contact sport” Ms Otieno said.
The rugby lady said it is unfortunate that the East Africa region unlike the south does not have the facilities for ladies rugby development.
She termed lack of facilities, lack of insurance, expenses focused on men and stereotyping rugby as a man’s game as the reasons for failure of ladies rugby development.
She also stated that the games for women have increased but are still not enough, adding that women curtain raise at the Elgon Cup 15 a-side, and play for the Confederation of African Cup 7 a-side.
Ms Otieno also said that having only one women’s team in the country, Mwamba, which is also the national team, makes it difficult for ladies to gain sufficient experience in the game; there is little competition and scarce opportunity for those who want to play.
“There are no fixtures within the country; we cannot train from January to December with no fixture. Let us find it(women’s rugby) and develop it. Everything does not belong to men,” Ms Otieno insisted.
The referee that toured Dubai as an assistant referee in the Dubai Women’s World Series 2012 said that many Kenyan players have been sceptical about her skills as a referee, but she does not doubt herself.
“I manage the game; women in management are perfect. I am very nice when people respect the laws of the game. People ask if I will manage to finish the game, and when I do, they look at me differently,” Ms Otieno added.
Ms Otieno now coaches St. Christophers School in Karen as well as Women wanting to gain knowledge of the game, at the Impala grounds every weekday at 5.30 am.
“I am done with the basics. I train regardless of weight, age or size. This is a side career; settling down with this is a bit tricky. Sports and education must go hand in hand,” Ms Otieno concluded.
She has also refereed among others, Junior World Cup in Kenya 2009, Dubai women 7’s final game 2010, Kenya Safari7s 2011, and Kenya Cup 2011/2012.
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