When you first meet the 26-year-old techie Sinaida Aura, her athletic frame strikes you, her hair neatly in place and her soft-spoken self, then you watch her in full flight mode in the rugby pitch. You will be amazed at how this can be the same person.

Four years ago, then a basketball player, walked into the local rugby club  Mwamba Rugby gym at the railways club and her rugby story began.

“I had always admired intense training, so the moment I stepped into the Mwamba gym at railways club, where we normally had our basketball training, I felt like a kid in a candy store. That very moment, I  knew I wanted to play rugby .”

Aura fueled by the desire to challenge herself and do something beyond her expectations made the switch from basketball to Rugby.

"I was at a point at my life where I badly needed a change, so I gave my new found love -Rugby all I had. I remember one day seeing Collins Injera on a billboard and I told my mum that will be someday. Of course, she laughed! I am not there yet but I believe that when the greats  of the game are mentioned I will be there."

She joined Mwamba women rugby club, the same year and within a short period of time, she became a regular in the team playing in the position of a winger. In 2015, she played in her first Nakuru 10s  tournament and in June the same year, she got her first call up to play for the national women 15s rugby team in the Elgon Cup.

“Every time I trained my goal was to go the extra mile, I got to understand the game and challenged myself to always do more. I remember once telling my club mate how I desired to don the national kit and represent my country, even as a water girl! I wanted it that badly..(laughs )I just wanted to the opportunity.”

“I immersed myself into the game, with the help of my coaches and teammates and all I looked forward very training session which I still do, to learn more about the game."
I imagined myself playing against Portia Woodman one of the best rugby players and my role model.

In the year 2017 she was nominated in  Sportswoman of the year (SOYA) award category alongside Edith Wisa (Volleyball) Faith Kipyegon, Hellen Obiri and Ednah Kiplagat (athletics).

“It was a great honor to be mentioned alongside great sportswomen like the likes of Obiri, Wisa, Ednah, and Faith, it places a great responsibility on my shoulders. That means always put my best foot forward".

Aura looks forward to seeing the Kenya Lioness become a core team in the World Sevens series.

”It will be an achievement  for us in the Kenya women rugby  7s team to attain the core status in the World Sevens series and even for the generations to come.”


Aura who currently plays for Northern Suburbs club also runs Cymba health club that offers personal training and other fitness health solutions admits that Rugby her rugby story is one of the best things that happened to her.

“Rugby is about respect, teamwork, discipline, and character. When you are involved in the game, your teammates and even the fans of the game become family. I am glad I walked into that gym and made the decision to play this beautiful game!