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Kenya Harlequins: An Introduction
By Herbert Mwachiro & Prof February 1 2007
Kenya Harlequins are the second oldest club in Kenya. It was initially formed in 1923 but failed to survive and was revived in 1952. In the ensuing years, the game of rugby has changed tremendously. From a white only sport to a fully integrated sport, with most players being indigenous Kenyans.

From a recreational past time, to a fully competitive sport. From an amateur game to a fully professional sport.

Kenya Harlequins started in a similar way to the original Quins team in England. The original Quins team was formed after a split of Hampstead FC; Kenya Harlequins were formed when, in 1923, the Nairobi District team split to form Kenya Harlequins and Nondescripts RFC.

The Royal Navy had a hand in the development of East African rugby starting with a game between the Mombasa Sports Club and HMS Southampton in 1922. In 1925 Kenya Quins played against a Royal Navy XV drawn from the crews of HMS Chatham and HMS Cairo. In 1930 HMS Enterprise gave its name to the Enterprise Cup which has been keenly battled for ever since. The crew of HMS Enterprise can probably claim to being the first people who made the first inward rugby tour of East Africa in 1928.

After Kenya Harlequins reformed in 1952 it only took them three short years to get their name on the Enterprise Cup

Address: Ngong Road, Nairobi, Kenya

Postal Address: Box 42999, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya

Telephone: +254 733 602172

E-mail: info@anfieldhart.com

Training: Tuesdays & Thursdays

Executive Committee 2006 Season

Chairman: Gabriel John Ohanya Ouko
Vice Chairman: Sammy Wagathee Muraya
Hon Secretary: Herbert Awala Mwachiro
Hon Treasurer: Eliud B.I.G.G.Y. Siganga

Management Committee

Head Coach: Thomas Odundo
7s Coach: Gordon Anampiu
Captain: Edward Kinyany
Membership Secretary: Domonique Papa Habimana
Social Secretary: Kate Anampiu
Club Manager: Allan Khakame
Bar Member: Ken Mulli

Trophy Cabinet 2005:

  • Easter Blackrock Trophy
  • Chairman's Cup
  • Kisumu Sevens
  • Driftwood Sevens
  • Kenya National Sevens Championship
  • Kenya Cup League - 3rd place
  • Enterprise Cup Semi finalist

The last decade has seen plenty of exciting times at Quins. Silverware that has donned the shelves at the club has been as follows (memory not failing us):

  • 1995 – Kenya Cup
  • 1995 – Enterprise Cup
  • 1996 – Kenya Cup
  • 1996 – Enterprise Cup
  • 1996 – Eric Shirley Shield
  • 1996 – Nakuru 10 A Side
  • 1997 – Impala Floodlit
  • 1997 – Blackrock Trophy
  • 1999 – Kenya Cup
  • 1999 – Enterprise Cup
  • 1999 – National Sevens Champions
  • 2000 – Safari Sevens Bowl Winners
  • 2002 – Kabeberi Sevens
  • 2003 – Christie Sevens
  • 2003 – Kenya Cup
  • 2003 – Enterprise Cup
  • 2003 – Nakuru 10 a side
  • 2003 – Driftwood Sevens
  • 2004 – Driftwood Sevens
  • 2004 – Blackrock Trophy

Previous Kenya Cup victories: 1955, 1957, 1964, 1988

In addition to the above Kenya Harlequin have under taken three tours to South Africa in 1996, 1999 and 2001 as guests of Pretoria Quins. Zimbabwe and Uganda were the destinations in 2003 while the under 21 side has continuously since 2002 been regular visitors of Tanzania’s Dar Leopards on an annual basis. Older members of the club will remember with great nostalgia memories of the successful 1986 tour of the UK and Ireland plus the memorable stories they brought back home.

Kenya Harlequins' goals are very simple and they say it as follows:

"As a Quin, we want to: 1.Climb the Mountain; 2.Stay at the top of the Mountain; 3.Own the Mountain. Let's all take this journey together"

Best of luck to Kenya Harlequins for the 2005 season.

Extracts from the Original Constitution.

KENYA HARLEQUIN FOOTBALL CLUB (1952)

RULES

1. The Club shall be known by the name of “Kenya Harlequin Football Club”.
2. The objects of the club shall be: -
a. The playing and fostering of Rugby Football in East Africa under the rules of the Rugby Football Union.
b. Such other sports in the close season as may be approved from time to time by the members in General Meeting provided that the same shall not be inconsistent with the club’s affiliation to the HARLEQUIN FOOTBALL CLUB of England.
3. The Club shall consist of Founder, Playing, Non-playing, Absentee, Honorary, Life and Junior Members all of whom shall be of pure European descent.
4. The Club is affiliated to the Harlequin Football Club of England, having been granted such affiliation in the terms of the Parent Club’ letter dated 26th March 1952.

ii. All members of the Harlequin Football Cub of England who are normally resident in Kenya Colony and who shall have notified the Committee of their willingness to accept such Honorary Membership, which must be offered to such persons, shall be made Honorary Members.

30. Consent having been obtained from the Harlequin Football Club of England to use their colours exactly as granted in the terms of their letter of the 30th July, 1952, the colours of this Club shall be those to the Harlequin Football Club of England, namely: - Light Blue, magenta, Chocolate and French Grey reversed on the back, sleeves light green and black reversed, white shorts and dark stockings with the Club Colours in diamonds around the tops.
31. All members on payments of the 2nd years subscription shall be entitled to wear the Harlequin tie and blazer badge. The blazer badge shall be distinguished from that of the parent Club by the addition of the letter “K”. The blazer badge for playing members shall have inserted underneath in addition the year in which the playing member first completes 10 appearances for the 1st XV.
32. There shall be a Club Cap in dark blue with the figure of a Harlequin in Colours worked upon the front. To this shall be added “K.H.F.C.” in silver letters where the Cap is presented to a member for outstanding merit as a player. The power to present or award appropriate Caps shall be vested in the President for the first three seasons, viz: 1952, 1953 and 1954, whereafter this power shall be vested in the Committee.

 

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