The last time she featured on our website, she was calling out to well-wishers to help support her dream of studying supply management. 2 days later on 1st May 2017 , Standard Chartered heard her wishes and awarded her a scholarship. Fast forward to September 13th 2017 and she has reached another milestone in her life. The 19 year old was this morning named in the 12 ladies’ team that will seek qualification for the World Cup & Commonwealth Games.
“I feel very fulfilled at this point. My joining the Kenya Lionesses late in March was not much of a challenge. I have been able to adjust accordingly & improve on my skillset. We have a solid chance of qualifying to the World Cup & Commonwealth games. I wish you were there to watch us train. It was intense but at the same time very insightful. In addition to the training sessions in Nairobi, we also had a camp in Mombasa. The atmosphere within camp & the attitude the players have is promising. I believe that we can make it to America.”
Auma, who made the switch from football to rugby 3 years ago will have her first coach – Diana Owino to thank for offering the best of sport advice when she started out. “If Diana hadn’t talked to me at the beginning, I wouldn’t have represented this nation at any point. It is just humbling remembering what she has done to me all those years.” She also thanks her coach and former Kenya Lionesses player – Maria Otieno whose contribution has brought her this far. “I used to have one on one lessons with her & those sessions had a big impact on my approach to the sport,” she confirms. In addition to these ladies, Auma acknowledges the role Mr. David Lukalo & Mang’eli have played in fighting for women’s rugby. “They have watched us from those days we couldn’t pass a ball. They stayed patient & are still pushing for the best for us. I am happy to have been mentored by them,” she adds. “I would also thank the technical bench at the Kenya Lionesses for this opportunity. Only few get the chance to wear this jersey,” she concludes.
Judith Auma was awarded the ‘Most Promising Player’ award during the 2017 women’s league while playing in the Standard Chartered sponsored Impala Saracens ladies team. Could she be the game-changer the Kenya Lionesses have been waiting for all these years? The qualifiers are to be played this weekend – 16th & 17th September 2017 in Tunisia. We wish her the best of luck!
Kenya Lionesses squad to World Cup/Commonwealth Qualifiers