ZIMBABWE Women’s Rugby sensation Ropafadzo Madyah continues to break new ground after she signed her first professional contract with South Africa women’s rugby Premier Division side Boland.
Madyah, putting Zimbabwe women’s rugby on the map, made her debut off the bench in her side’s 11-5 victory over Sharks last Saturday.
The second rower’s tale is a story of the tenacity of purpose as she only started playing rugby at the age of 15 whilst doing Form Three at Goromonzi High School.
If someone had told her six years ago that she would one day play rugby at a professional level, she would have laughed at them.
“I never thought I would be here right now. Rugby was a scary sport for me when I joined,” Madyah told EnterSportNews.
For years and years, the local women’s game has been crying out for heroes, and in Madyah they seem to have found one, a trailblazer into the world of professional rugby.
The former Zimbabwe junior rugby international does not give excuses but is driven by the end goal.
“It doesn’t matter where you are if you put in the hard yards and actually get to love what you are doing. The result will unfold in due time. Perseverance is key,” said the lock.
In a country where there is a lot of emphasis on academics, Madyah is the epitome of achieving the perfect balance in both the academic side of things and sport.
The 21-year-old is in her final year of a Bachelor of Commerce Financial Accounting degree at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.
Balancing the demands of a professional rugby career and the final year of a degree programme requires discipline and setting one’s priorities.
“I am busy with my final year right now, and discipline is what’s keeping me going. When it’s time to work out in rugby, I give it my all and make sure I achieve the pre-set goal,” she added.
“When it’s time for books, I have to put all my focus there. So the most difficult thing would be staying disciplined and being able to manage my time effectively.”
Goromonzi High has churned out plenty of female rugby talent, and this has created a community that looks out for each other and loves giving back to a game that has given them so much.
Madyah delights in knowing that her contract with Boland is not only for personal gain but is hoping her better-horned skills can serve her country better.
“It’s the opportunities and exposure I will get from it. I get to rub shoulders with Springboks players and get to enhance my rugby skills,” she said.
“I know with what I will grasp this side I can get to implement it when I play in Zimbabwe and help diversify the skills in our team.”
The Harare born player who made her senior debut for the Women’s Sevens side four years ago once contemplated ditching rugby altogether. Still, the addictive nature of the game and the calming voice of her coach, who has become her mentor, saved the game from losing one of its brightest stars.
“In all honesty, there was a time I felt like giving up, but rugby is so addictive, and it’s hard to leave. It’s the opportunities that keep coming my way that keep me going. I know I’m in the right direction,” Madyah said.
” Most importantly, my coach Prosper Mubaiwa, also known to many as Coach Fumhee, has invested so much in me since day one, and I owe it to him to keep playing. Now and again, he reminds me of the potential I have.”
Distance may separate Madyah from her mentor, Mubayiwa, but she always reaches out to him before every game.
“He taught me everything I know about rugby as of now. He has been mentoring me every single step of the way, and before every game, he prepares me mentally and gives me pointers on how I should play. He also played an integral role in making this decision (signing for Boland).
Mubayiwa, who worked very hard in making then unknown Goromonzi High into a powerhouse in girls rugby in Zimbabwe, was happy with Madyah’s latest accomplishment.
“I am very excited; I am sure it’s every coach’s dream to see your players’ progress in the game,” said Mubaiwa.
“Her talent was always showing as evidenced by the fact that she was voted Most Valuable Player twice at the Dairiboard Schools Rugby Festival in 2017 and 2018.”
Speaking to EnterSportNews, Mubayiwa further said he was not surprised by how everything has turned out for the Zimbabwe lock.
“This one is a great listener; she is always seeking advice on how she can better her playing. She is a humble soul, a hard worker and these days she is always in the gym,” said the Goromonzi coach.
“Her being offered a professional contract by Boland says a lot about rugby in Zimbabwe that we have the talent here, and with the right resources and personnel, we can churn out more and more players.”
On a parting note, Madyah gave some advice to budding rugby players.
“The sky is the limit; put in the work and enjoy what you do, and God will do the rest,” Madyah said.
Madyah is not the only player from Goromonzi High School and FS Raiders RFC in Harare who is doing well in South Africa.
Tadiwa Kwete, who is playing for Wits University, has also come through Mubayiwa’s hands.
