RUGBY is known for its physical battles, but when eight school teams gather at St John’s Emerald Hill on 24 October, their biggest message will be about a different kind of courage.
The Dominican Convent Pink Rugby tournament will bring young athletes together to raise breast cancer awareness, celebrate survivors and honour those who have lost their lives to the disease.
Backed by a US$6,775 sponsorship from BancABC Zimbabwe, the tournament has grown into a platform where school sport meets a cause that has touched families and communities across the country.
Dominican Convent head Sr Kudzai Mutsure said the event had taken on a deeper meaning for the school, particularly after the loss of a colleague to cancer.
While rugby demands strength and determination from players, she said the courage shown by people battling cancer offered a different perspective on resilience.
“The true definition of strength lies with the courage of cancer patients. And for some of us, we have had that first-hand experience of having a colleague go through it,” Mutsure said.
She said Pink Rugby was also about remembering families who continued to support loved ones through illness and treatment.
The tournament has brought participating schools closer together, creating relationships that extend beyond competition.
“So I think this has become more than just a rugby tournament. We now call it, we call all of us the Pink Rugby family,” Mutsure said.
“BancABC has helped us to create a family. And I just want to say it’s amazing when you can create a family, not just a team.”
The bank has returned to support the tournament after previously partnering with Dominican Convent in 2024.
BancABC digital marketing and public relations manager Patience Musa said the decision reflected the bank’s interest in both youth development and women’s health.
She said breast cancer awareness was particularly important because the disease affected not only patients but also their families, friends and colleagues.
“Sometimes it’s ourselves, it’s family members, it’s friends, it’s in the community, it’s even in the places that we work. So this isn’t something that we are looking at from far away, but it’s something that is close, very close to us and close to our homes,” Musa said.
The bank’s sponsorship will also help create competitive opportunities for young rugby players from the participating schools.
Musa said developing athletes capable of competing internationally required investment at school level, where many sporting careers begin.
“We want to make sure that our youth have a place in the future of Zimbabwe. And we want to see Zimbabwean youth doing great in sports, not just in Zimbabwe, but internationally as well. And it begins here,” she said.
Mutsure welcomed the US$6,775 contribution, stressing that its benefits would extend to players from other schools taking part in the tournament.
She said Dominican Convent wanted to provide opportunities for talented children regardless of their school backgrounds.
“I am proud to see other schools from the grassroots coming to participate with us. One thing that I can assure you is Convent is home to all,” she said.
BancABC is the tournament’s sole sponsor this year, although Musa encouraged other companies to support similar initiatives.
She said greater corporate involvement could strengthen grassroots sport while helping organisations address challenges affecting their communities.
“Zimbabwe can do so much greater with the help of corporates. So we’re calling on corporates to come on board. The more, the merrier,” she said.
The October 24 tournament will give young rugby players a chance to compete, but its significance will extend beyond the results.
Each match will form part of a wider effort to recognise the courage of cancer patients, support affected families and encourage young people to understand the importance of standing together during difficult times.
