When rugby gave me a second chance: The story of Diana Wanjiku

At just 15 years old, Diana Wanjiku has already learned what it means to fight for a place, to fall, to rise, and to seize a second chance.

Today, she is celebrated as one of the brightest young flyhalves in schools’ rugby, a player whose kicking boot is beginning to speak louder than words. But her journey to this point has been anything but straightforward.

Born with a love for sport, Diana first tried her hand at football while in Class Six at Nys Primary School.

Encouraged by her teacher, Madam Christine, she joined the school team as a striker. But football never really opened its doors for her, she scored just a single goal in her time with the school, and soon, self-doubt crept in.

Her mother urged her to abandon the chase for athletics altogether and concentrate on academics.

But fate had other plans. When she joined Kinale Secondary in 2023, rugby came calling. She was slotted in at scrumhalf and surprisingly handed the captain’s armband while still in Form One.

The title sounded good, but the reality was harsh; she spent most matches on the bench.

It was her coach, Allan Bush Okiya, who saw something more in her. He encouraged her to explore kicking, a role rarely embraced in schoolgirls’ rugby. With quiet determination, Diana took the challenge head-on. She began putting in the extras after training, learning technique, rhythm, and precision. Slowly, she transitioned to flyhalf, a position that allowed her to direct play and showcase her growing kicking prowess.

Her moment of redemption came a fortnight ago at the KSSSA national 7s championship. In the final, Kinale stunned defending champions St Joseph’s Kitale popularly known as JOGA coming from behind to win 19–5 to crown their maiden national title. For Diana, it was the culmination of every extra hour, every sacrifice, and every time she chose to persevere when giving up looked easier.

“Being on that pitch, knowing we were behind but still fighting, it was special. Winning that title for Kinale will stay with me forever,” she said after the match, her voice filled with pride.

Diana remains deeply grateful to her coaches, Bush, Jijo, Madam Njeri and Collins for believing in her when she didn’t believe in herself. She dreams of wearing the black and white of Mwamba RFC’s women’s side and, one day, donning the national jersey of the Kenya Lionesses. She draws her inspiration from Lionesses and Harlequins Maureen Muritu, whose calm leadership and skill she hopes to emulate.

For Diana, rugby was never just another sport; it was a second chance. Where football had left her disheartened, rugby offered her purpose, confidence, and a dream worth chasing. And at only 15, her story is still being written.