CHEETAHS SET WC CRITERIA

ZAMBEZI Cheetahs coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba has moved to ensure there will be transparency in his dressing room with the gaffer outlining the parameters he has set for players who will make Zimbabwe’s squad to the Rugby Sevens World Cup in the United States.

Nyamutsamba barely had time to enjoy the festive holidays as he was putting in place plans for the start of the preparations for the World Cup and a host of tournaments which his Cheetahs will take part in.

The unassuming coach, yesterday rolled out the criteria that will guide him into picking his squad for the global Sevens showcase in San Francisco, in the United States in July.

Nyamutsamba also wants the Cheetahs to get down to business as early as next week, which will be the start of a hosts of training camps and tournaments which Zimbabwe will participate in.

The Sports Commission’s 2017 Coach of the Year said it was imperative that all the players aspiring for a place in the Cheetahs squad were aware of some of the key factors that his technical crew will be looking at.

Nyamutsamba had upon qualification for the World Cup made it clear that there would be no guarantees of places with each player whether local or foreign based having to fight to be on the squad to the United States.

Zimbabwe will also be seeking to qualify for Core Status when they compete at the Hong Kong Sevens while the busy 2018 season will also see the Cheetahs fighting to win the Africa Cup.

“As we gear up for what promises to be a gruelling Sevens Rugby season, it is important that current and potential national Sevens players be in the picture on the management’s expectations for them to stand a chance of making the major tournaments’ squads.

“This coming year, the Cheetahs & Goshawks will play in various tournaments as from March 2018.

“The Cheetahs will play in three major tournaments being the Hong Kong Core Circuit Qualifiers in early April, the Rugby Sevens World Cup in July and the Africa Cup in September.

“Our participation in the year end Dubai and Cape Town tournaments will depend on how we do at the Africa Cup,’’ Nyamutsamba said.

Nyamutsamba said his selection criteria would be applicable to all eligible Zimbabwean players whether they are plying their trade in the country or outside the country’s borders.

In order for one to be considered for selection Nyamutsamba wants them to:

Attend at least one of the pre-season training camps

Attend camp and play in at least one tournament before the Hong Kong Sevens

Submit to training program/ S&C program to be provided by the Technical Team

Attend weekday trainings/ gym sessions if locally based

“For the Hong Kong tournament, a camp squad of 20 players will be announced on the 26th of March. The squad will be trimmed to 12 travelling players during camp.

“For the World Cup, a camp squad of 20 players will be announced on 25th of June and it will be trimmed to 12 travelling players during camp,’’ Nyamutsamba said. The Cheetahs coach also clarified some of the requirements to be fulfilled especially for the World Cup side.

“To make the World Cup squad (bar injuries), a player must fulfil the following requirements:

Make the final squad of 20 players before the Hong Kong tournament Attend the pre-Hong Kong camp Attend the 2 week pre-World Cup camp

Available to play in the Mauritius 7s in June

“Players to participate in training camps will be drawn from the current database of current and potential Zimbabwe Sevens players. More players will also be included through the various talent scouting partners both foreign and locally based.

“Local coaches will also be invited to recommend their players to the training camp Day One1.

“Training camp Day 2 will consist of players selected by the technical team,’’ Nyamutsamba said. PROVISIONAL TOURNAMENT LIST - 2018 (under Tournament, Venue, Dates,

Venue Camp) Royal Bafokeng, Sun City, South Africa; March 3-4, Pretoria Feb 28- March 2

Kampala, Uganda; March 16 -17; Harare, March 12 - 13

Vic Falls, Victoria Falls; March 24-25; Harare, March 19-21

Hong Kong, Hong Kong, April 6-8; Harare, Zimbabwe; March 27–April 2

Mauritius 7s, Mauritius; June 22-23, Harare, June 19-20

World Cup, San Francisco, USA; July 20-22, Harare, July 1-16

Windhoek, Draught 7s, Lusaka, Zambia, September Maseru Sevens, Lesotho, September Africa Cup, Kampala, Uganda,October Assupol Sevens, Stellenbosch Academy, South Africa, October Safaricom 7s, Nairobi, Kenya; November Safland 7s, Windhoek, Namibia, November

Dubai World Rugby November

Cape Town World Rugby 7s, Cape Town, South Africa, December UAE

TRAINING CAMP PROVISIONAL LIST (under camp, venue , dates) Hong Kong 7s Preps, Harare, January 12-13 Hong Kong 7s Preps, Pretoria, February 10-11 World Cup Preps, Zimbabwe, May 12-13 Africa Cup Preps, Harare, August 11-12 ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ 7s, Dubai,

- 2018