A NEW under-16 rugby team in Zimbabwe are proudly wearing a full kit donated by Plymouth side Old Technicians RFC.

Rusape Rugby Club-Buffaloes RFC has been founded by current Techs player Tichaona ‘Malvin’ Donono.

Donono wanted to bring rugby to his home town and he was delighted when Techs offered him a kit to help him expand the project.

“It’s a grassroots rugby club that I just started in Zimbabwe,” said Donono. “They have got a senior team and an under-16 team, and they are doing really well.

“We’ve also just started a girls’ team and we are just trying to spread rugby.

“It is the town that I was born in and grew up in.

“I had the privileged to learn rugby at school and I am just trying to bring it to my home.”

On the kit Techs gave him, he said: “It was a pleasant gift that I got from Shaun (Bedford-Smith) and the team. I really appreciate it as it is hard back home.

“But everything (with the team) has been going really well.”

Bedford-Smith added: “We do a clean out before every season and we had this full kit and he said he could make use of it over in Zimbabwe, so we told him to take it.

“It is brilliant – and isn’t that what rugby is about? Yeah, we all want to win cups and leagues, but it’s more about the community aspect of rugby. Doing stuff like this is what I enjoy about rugby.

“We are hoping to get them a black and white kit, but we’ll have to wait until we get a new one.”

Healthcare professional Donono says he loves playing for Techs.

“I heard about Techs through a friend I used to play with in South Africa. He was playing here and said he would introduce me,” said Donono.

“I met the guys and there was just an amazing connection. They welcomed me very well and I really enjoy it. I love it here – I wouldn’t want to play for anyone else.”