OH women’s rugby head coach Lucia Marisamhuka says the Green Machine has managed to lure schoolgirls to strengthen the team before the new 10-a-side season commences.

Marisamhuka, a veteran multi-talented sportwoman who also played for the Zimbabwe basketball team and still turns out for the Pangolins national rugby side, welcomed the introduction of the 10s version for women.

“As the perennial champions we had become tired of playing sevens rugby, so we need more competition by playing the 10s game,’’ she said.

“We have learnt a lot from the sevens and personally I feel it is a good move to bring on the 10s now,’’ Marisamhuka added.

Designer and artist by profession, Marisamhuka said it was all systems go for OH this coming season.

“We will be accommodating school-girls on the way up the ladder. We have to groom for the nation which we grew up in. Zimbabwe women must also be counted where others are counted,” said Marisamhuka, who is assisted by Abigail Kawonza in the Old Hararians women’s dressing room.

OH have vast talent as shown by the presence of several of their stars in the Pangolins team including national captain Abigail Gondo, Simbiso Kadye, Charity Muchuchuti and Louise Kambarami.