He probably hasn’t made it to any national team but the spirit in the young man could one day propel him to donning the national shirt. He got into the Standard Chartered Impala Saracens Rugby Academy, frail and naive from Ambira High School in Kenya’s Nyanza region. 4 years of patient waiting within the Impala Saracens set up have worked to not only mould a forward who could not only be entrusted with Impala’s future, but also a warrior who is willing to throw away set backs and focus on the goals set before him.
‘’I started off as a fly-half/fullback when I joined the Standard Chartered Impala Saracens Rugby Academy. Stephen Juma and Samson Onsomu were my first coaches at the academy level. The late Eric Situma, who I later learnt actually played at fullback for Kenya XV is to be thanked for introducing me into a new position. It was bizarre and uniquely strange for me at first, but I took his advice & moved to lock,’’ begins a nostalgic Rainer Omondi.
The Standard Chartered Impala Saracens Rugby Academy currently prides itself in being able to contribute 5 players to the 2017 Kenya XV test squad. Rainer Omondi may not be one of them but he is quick to praise the academy, “The academy has taught me loyalty, brotherhood and a great sense of honesty and discipline which are the core values of the saracens family. It’s always been a journey learning from my coaches who are my current team mates onsomu and Juma and the rest of the lads at the club. The Academy is a real factory for Kenyan rugby.”
Rainer’s entry into top-flight rugby was marked when he played at the 2016 Floodies. He had been part of the Resolution Impala Saracens Boks sides that won the 2014/15 and 2015/16 ESS trophies. He remembers how it felt winning the Floodies trophy on debut, “It was the highlight of time. My dad who understands Kenyan Rugby from club to national team level created time to watch me play and contribute to the 33-32 win against KCB Lions. The Floodlit trophy had evaded the Impala trophy cabinet for 6 years & no words can describe how it felt like when the team vets bolted in celebration after referee Gareth Crawford blew his whistle to declare us winners.’’
Omondi, would have expected to cement a position within the Gazelles in the 2016/17 XV season, but nature would choose different. ‘I had a great pre-season build up. Things were looking really good. I played my first two league matches with no problem, but when we played against Strathmore, misfortune took over. I was stretchered out. I thought it was a mere sprain, but serious damage had been done to my knee. It was my first time experiencing injury that cost me mobility and I was truly disappointed. Many players say they second guess themselves during injury. This was that moment for me but team physiotherapists – Clare Kanje & Christopher Makachia helped me cope with pre-surgery care. Doctors Mbugua & Mailu at AIC Kijabe performed the surgery and kept audits of my progress as the days went by. Impala Strength & Conditioning Coach – Tom Lagat took me through rehabilitation and fitness. Fellow players like Robert Aringo & Samuel Motari too, had been in similar situations and gave me the hope of coming back to play. The impact made by Resolution Insurance & the Impala Saracens management in settling my medical bills is something current rugby players need to know of too. We were doing the math with my dad sometime back and noticed just how much we would have had to part with if good medical insurance was something the club had never thought about.’’
Asked if he values anything else apart from rugby, Rainer’s reply is precise, ‘’Rugby and studies have been about balance. Impala has been supportive and always encouraged educational development as well as rugby development. I am happy to be in a club which understands the ecosystem it plays in and what needs to be prioritized when. I am also thankful for Peter Nduati’s mentorship & support. I am currently in the insurance industry and his advice within social circles and the industry environment is golden.’’
Rainer Omondi came back just in time, scoring a try in the 32-12 Impala Boks win over Quins in the ESS semis and coming on as a substitute and contributing to the 13-12 win over KCB Cubs in the 2016/17 ESS Finals.
