Name: Leo Seje Owade
Age: 26 years old
High School: Maseno School
Positions: Started at Flanker, currently playing Centre/Wing
How did you find yourself here?
I started playing rugby in high school, after graduation, most of my team mates from Maseno Rugby team joined Impala so that influenced my decision to join Impala.
Who officially welcomed you to the club?
Joel Omer who currently plays in the back rown & former hot and talented fly-half/ centre – Kevin Gisore who were also my rugby captains during high school.
For how long were you at the club before the sudden disappearance? Where did you run away to?
I played at Impala for three years (2009-2011) prior to relocating to Australia. I am based in Melbourne, Australia and have been playing competitive rugby there since 2012.
Are there striking differences between the Australian rugby set up and the Kenyan structures?
Rugby in Australia is very competitive with great depth when it comes to development. Standards improve every season.
Your best moments playing in Australia have to be?
In 2016, I was a member of the Melbourne Rebels Rising Training Squad, who are part of the National Rugby Championship competition. It was an eye-opening experience from which I gained a lot of insight in both the professional and amateur aspects of rugby.
An unfortunate event happened on your first local match against Mwamba this season. How did it feel?
Following my concussion in my first Kenya Cup game this year, I was devastated as injury is never part of anyone’s plans. However, I had a bigger goal in mind, and in comparison, this was only a minor set back in my overall rugby ambitions.
You came back, trialled for Kenya XV and made the cut. Do you feel like you have already ‘made it’?
Being called up to the final Kenya XV squad was an amazing feeling; it seemed as if all of my hard work and sacrifices were starting to pay off. A possible debut makes me proud to think that I have an opportunity to represent my country in something that I love – and hopefully be just the beginning of my journey on this platform.
National debuts can be nerve wracking. Do you have a plan of approach?
My targets for when I first step on to the pitch is to keep it simple, do my job & do it well and be the best I can be. This will be pretty much my game plan & approach to my whole experience of Kenya XVs.
Are there any rugby players you look up to?
Favourite international player: I admire Richie McCaw as an all round player, particularly his leadership on and off the field.
Where do you see yourself in 2 years?
In 2019, I hope to be with my Kenya XVs brothers in Japan, representing our country in rugby on the world stage; an experience I’ll cherish forever, God-willing.
