Strathmore University Sports began with the aim of providing holistic education to students in a strong and vibrant way. These efforts throughout the years, have seen Strathmore recognized nationally and internationally for its exemplary performances.

In 2001, Strathmore University provided resources to develop sports teams for students as soon as the first degree undergraduates were admitted. To date Strathmore offers a total of 11 sports with well qualified coaches to date.

The teams are;

• Rugby – Men
• Soccer – Men
• Karate – Men
• Handball – Men
• Swimming – Men
• Basketball – Men and Women
• Hockey – Men and Women
• Table Tennis – Men and Women
• Volleyball – Men and Women
• Tennis – Men and Women
• Scrabble

“Through a strict selection of top talent in sports combined with top academic performances, the Strathmore teams have attracted top players. The Strathmore jersey does not come easily,” Dean of students, Paul Ochieng, said.

Strathmore has accorded the sports teams big support, which has served as their biggest advantage. There are no classes on Friday afternoons to allow students to participate in sports and club activities; a 20-acre piece of land is provided for sports activities; coaches have been provided with their own offices on campus to facilitate full-time engagement with players; the players have access to full-time physiotherapists on campus; and lastly, players obtain a comprehensive insurance for injuries, giving the teams enough ground to perform at their best.

The rugby team has enjoyed success since its inception; this includes playing at the Kenya Cup as one of the only two university teams that qualified for the tournament. In 2009 the team won the national sevens circuit, attributed to a thriving scholarship programme, proper training and the duration of players in the team.

The men’s hockey team has also thrived since it began. The team won the National Premier League tournament three times. They were also awarded continental silver position and were ranked 2^nd best team in Africa in 2011. The women’s hockey team recently played at the Africa Cup of Club Champions 2018, and, although they did not win, they played exceptionally well at the international level.

“By virtue of winning the Kenya Premier Leagues for the men and women hockey teams, the teams qualified to play for the Africa Cup of Champions for both men and women. Unfortunately we could only take the women, because we were caught up in a cycle of getting fresh players for the men’s team. The women showed a lot of character during their tournament, as they played in new territories and at new levels. We were inexperienced because most members were rookies, but such tournaments give the players a boost and look into what to expect at such games. The way they carried themselves, even without a goal keeper – as she was injured- was a testament to the mental strength the team carried,” Coach Meshack Senge said.

 

Mentorship of players by coaches has proved to be an added advantage to the success of the teams. The coaches have borrowed skills from training national teams, which they pass on to players teaching them how best to play for their teams to attain victory.

“Coaching at Strathmore has its joys and challenges, in the sense that you work on a project, build a system, and then, as is the nature with university sports, the player has to leave after graduating; forcing us to build the cycle again. As a result, we have had to put in strategies to bear fruits enabling us to win big and qualify for continental tournaments,” Coach Senge said.

University sports has attracted talent from across Africa creating a good name for Strathmore.

 

Students who wish to join any sports team should visit the sports office on 3^rd floor Student Centre Building. Or email skamau@strathmore.edu