Kenya Lionesses Gear Up for SVNS 2 with Dynamic 26-Woman Roster
The Kenya Lionesses Head Coach – Simon Odongo has announced a 26-player squad that will begin preparations for the upcoming HSBC SVNS 2, scheduled for February 14th, 2026 in Nairobi. This marks a major step in the team’s journey as they gear up for their return to the global sevens circuit.
“We’ve picked a squad of 26 that will prepare for the 2026 HSBC SVNS season,” Coach Simon confirmed. “We have retained fourteen of the fifteen women who played a pivotal part in helping us qualify for SVNS 2, with Grace Okulu being the only foreign-based player in the squad and Janet Okello returning from her stint in Japan.”
The remaining eleven players comprise a highly promising group of young, developing athletes who have consistently outperformed their peers in the local league. Their impressive displays during the Safari 7s further highlighted their potential and readiness for international competition. With an average age of 24, the squad strikes an ideal balance between youthful energy and valuable experience.
As part of the Kenya Rugby Union’s long-term development pathway, six standout high school players have been invited to join a two-week alignment camp. These students excelled during this year’s school games and will continue participating in similar camps during school holidays, except during final exam periods. This initiative aims to deepen the Lionesses’ talent pipeline and ensure a continuous supply of quality players capable of representing Kenya on the world stage.
The squad has commenced its December training block, focusing on mental, physical, and skill conditioning ahead of the Christmas and New Year break.
Speaking on Kenya’s preparations for hosting the HSBC SVNS 2, KRU Vice Chairperson and Chairperson of Tournaments, Moses Ndale, stated:
“It’s an honour for Kenya to host the HSBC SVNS 2 in February 2026 here in Nairobi. We have previously hosted two World Rugby events JWRT in 2009 and 2023 and we have the ability and capability to now host the first global sevens tournament.
Our appreciation goes to the Government of Kenya for always standing with us, as well as the Shujaa and Lionesses sponsors, SportPesa and M-Pesa, who continue walking the journey with us. We encourage fans to show up in large numbers and support the teams as we showcase the beauty of the Kenyan spirit.”
