The day you realise that there is more to life than rugby, is the day you will truly start to enjoy this game.”
Ken Moseti, Philip Wamae, Ken Isindu, George Okowa, Peter Lugano, Evans Musili, Kevin Gacheru, Joseph Akiruga, Daniel Mubea. Sit any of these names down and ask them who the greatest influencers of their careers are, and this name will most definitely pop up..
Most of you have heard/seen me use this line and attribute it to a great man, “The day you realise that there is more to life than rugby, is the day you will truly start to enjoy this game.”
By day, he is the Executive services manager at KK Security, but when the clock hits 4 pm, he puts on the coaching cap and does what he has been doing exceptionally over the last 8 years.
In two years with the Patch Machine (Nairobi School rugby team), Willis ‘Foxx’ Ojal has won everything there is to offer in Schools rugby. Earning him the fitting title of ‘The Special One’ as far as Schools’ rugby goes.
Between 2006 and 2007, Foxx picked up the National 15’s and 7’s titles, the East Africa 15’s title, the Prescott Cup, The Impala Floodies, the then Nairobi Province 15’s and 7’s titles..the list goes on.
He did not only win trophies, but had a great impact on the Nairobi School rugby culture. Before Foxx came to Nairobi School, it was unheard of that a junior would play for the Patch Machine, it was a reserve of the senior class.
Only a handful had ever achieved this feat, during his first year, he slowly killed off this culture meaning that the best talent found it’s way to the Patch Machine early on.
I catch up with my former coach, who has since then, moved on to Nairobi School’s bitter rivals Lenana School, looking to replicate his heroics, but more importantly make a positive impact on these next generation of players, as he did with us.
When I informed some of my old mates that I was going to interview Foxx, first thing they told me was to ask about our first training session just before the 2006 Floodies. A few days before that session, we had been introduced to Foxx, and in the first days he barely did much, he just sat quietly on the single stand we had, and watched.
We had to remain in school as the rest of the students went on mid term break, to prepare for what was our first tournament of the year. Foxx moved into one of the dorms with us to take charge of his first training session, a gruelling early morning run from 4 am that lasted almost 3 hours, maybe 5 depending on who you ask..
Guts were left on the vast turf that morning, even after all these years most still point to that session as the hardest they have ever been through. Lets just say, Kipchoge Keino would have come to Nairobi School that morning and picked a marathon winning team from this group.
This had to be my first question..
What was that training session about? And do you do that with every team?
Foxx laughs and exclaims, “We did win, didn’t we?” He goes on to explain that the session was to see who would stick to the cause until the end, “I was not looking for skill, but for attitude” He says. I don’t think he puts any more kids through this session.
I used to love swimming but when I got to High school, even bathing water was a rumour..
When did you start getting involved with rugby?
Foxx : I got involved with rugby while still in high school, in Form 2. In Primary School I used to love swimming but when I got to High school even bathing water was a rumour.. (This was Dagoretti High School by the way)
If you can remember, how was your first experience with rugby?
Foxx : All I remember being told is to tackle and tackle and tackle, I was a dummy runner just waiting to defend through out that game, I was non existent in attack.
What position did you first play in?
Foxx : I have always played in the back row, starting off at 7. I once tried to move to front row, to try and make it to the first team faster. Lets just say after a week of head butting I went back home, to the Back row.
How did the name Foxx come into being?
Foxx : It was my brother’s name, and since we looked alike, people started to using it with me. Before I knew, it had stuck, it even followed me to UG, when I went for my A levels.
When did you decide to make the transition from playing to coaching?
Foxx : I started coaching while still playing , Nondies had a development programme back in 2005 and I was drafted into it alongside Charles Cardovillis.
We started off with Aga Khan High school and a few other schools before we decided that everyone should get a school to concentrate on, that is when I moved to Nairobi school.
Was Nairobi School the first school team you coached?
Foxx : Not really, I started at Dagoretti High school when I was captain, we actually made it to the Prescott that year, for the first time ever!
What triggered your move from Nairobi School?
Foxx : After winning all those trophies with them, it was time for a new challenge as such I moved to Lenana in 2012.
Any Successes so far with Lenana School?
Foxx : When I joined, they had finished last in the 2011 Prescott Cup and were facing relegation, we finished 4th in the 2012 Prescott Cup. We also finished 3rd in the 15s provincial games, and won the Plate in the 7s Provincials.
What are your expectations for this season with Lenana?
Foxx : To make it to the Prescott cup finals and actually win it, as it has been a long time coming for them.
Lets get out there and enjoy ourselves its never that serious unless the score board says we are behind!
Have you had any coaching stints in the club game?
Foxx : I coached the Strathmore Leos in 2007 during the sevens circuit. I was to hold fort as head coach Mitch had travelled out of the country for studies.
I remember being worried that I had big shoes to fill seeing as the person the Leos had the year before was Benjamin Ayimba.
We went on to make it to every Quarter final and I remember beating Quins in the Kabeberi Plate final, then played at KCB’s Ruaraka grounds. We also beat Impala in the semis for the first time ever.
What is the best part about being a schools’ coach?
Foxx : That you become more than just a rugby coach, you also have an impact on the players’ everyday life. Then get to see them become better people once out of school.
What is the biggest challenge(s) in the schools’ game?
Foxx : In some cases, the administration forces everyone to at least score a certain grade in their exams, for them to play rugby. I always say as long as one is improving in his grades let them play.
What would you pick out as your proudest moment to date?
Foxx : Has to be the Nairobi School Class of 2006, scoring a mean grade of B in the KCSE exams, having played and won all major rugby trophies that year including the Nationals, for the first time in 10 years. Going to show exactly what team work can do, that you can play rugby and still pass exams.. (And by this he doesn’t mean we copied!)
Rugby is a team sport, but you have to start with the individual first before coming together as a team to be part of the best you have to be the best yourself.
Which is your most memorable game(s) as coach?
Foxx : Wow, this is a tough one, but I will say in 2006 just before we left for the Nationals, we registered for the Clubs’ Easter Black rock festival, where we lost to Quins in the Plate final. En route to the final, we had beaten Impala in sudden death.
Any special players you have handled so far?
Foxx : Another tough one, because they have all contributed in one way or another , but people like Moseti, Lugano, Isindu, Akatsa, Gitobu , Akiruga, Ojwach, Wamae made it extra special.
What would be the first thing that you tell your players?
Foxx : Lets get out there and enjoy ourselves its never that serious unless the score board says we are behind!
Your advice to young players and aspiring coaches.
Foxx : Rugby is a team sport, but you have to start with the individual first before coming together as a team ( to be part of the best you have to be the best yourself).
Where would you like to see School’s rugby in the next decade?
Foxx : At a position where it is beneficial to both schools and players, like meaning more people get university scholarships because of the quality of school rugby.
More coaches handling schools and getting paid for it (obviously having undergone training)and the game being played competitively from primary school level.
Any specific people you’d like to thank this far?
Foxx : My club Nondies, Mitch Ocholla, Charles Cardovillis, Kanyi Gitonga, Benjamin Ayimba and Edward Kinyany . These are the people who have taken me through this journey.
If you were given the chance to write your legacy, what would be the one thing you’d want people to remember you for?
Foxx : Having given hope to the hopeless on and off the pitch.
I couldn’t let Foxx go without asking him about his former side’s recent predicament.
What do you make of Nairobi School’s recent relegation to the Damu pevu?
Foxx : Very very sad indeed, as I know that they have the personnel to give any of the Prescott teams a run for their money. Unfortunately things went the way they did, I am however sure that next year, they will be back where they belong (in the Prescott that is)
I end my chat with Foxx, as I wish him well in the coming years (soon after he leaves Lenana hehe!)
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!
