Kenyan Rugby 7's Coach; Mike Friday Fired! - Ugly Twists and Drama At Kenya Rugby Union

In a remarkable turn of events, Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman, Mwangi Muthee maintains that Mike Friday and Chris Brown are still at the helm of the national rugby sevens team.

Muthee told Capital Sports from London in the aftermath of the announcement the Briton has been axed, that instead, the Director of National Squads and Elite Performance Philip Jalang’o is the one to go home instead.

Earlier today, Jalango had released a press statement indicating that Coach Fiday had been sacked and he was now the man in charge. 

Here is the Jalongo's Statement

FROM : PHILIP JALANGO

DIRECTOR

NATIONAL SQUAD & ELITE PERFORMANCE

DATE : 13TH MAY 2013



SUBJECT : TERMINATION OF CONTRACTS OF THE KENYA 7S HEAD, S & C COACHES

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,


"As the Director of National Squads & Elite Performance, the responsibility given to me by the Board is to our players, and our National Squads programs. As such, the Board is always going to try to base any decisions on those two guiding principles. After a comprehensive review of the Kenya 7’s rugby program during the 2012-2013 season, and with the support of the Board, KRU is terminating the contract of Mike Friday as Kenya 7s Head Coach and Chris Brown the Strength & Conditioning Coach, effective immediately. This decision is not based solely on wins and losses, but on a number of factors by which the Head Coach has been evaluated. At this point, in regard to our Kenya 7’s program, our players need mentorship, leadership and guidance to maximize on their performance along the goals and objectives of the Kenya Rugby Union.


The Head Coach has failed to exemplify the Vision, Mission and Core Values of KRU at certain points of the season. Effective today, the KRU Board has appointed Assistant Head Coach Felix Ochieng, as the interim Head Coach and Bronson Weir from Western Province to assist him, through the remainder of the season. Felix has been with the program 10 years, and the Board has great confidence in Felix's ability, and Bronson Weir to guide the team to the world cup. The KRU Board is not giving up on our long term goals for the Kenya 7’s program. Today's announcement is about addressing the present and the future needs of our Kenya 7’s program. We want to make the most of our remaining season with the World Cup and put our players in position for success. I want to thank Mike Friday & Chris Brown for everything they have contributed to Kenya 7’s over the past 1 year. The Kenya 7’s family have always shown great character and tremendous heart, and enjoyed a huge support from the board, sponsors and Rugby fraternity. They have also enjoyed considerable rugby success on the IRB circuit this year. In those regards, Mike Friday has led a model program - all of which has made for a difficult decision today. But as previously stated, my primary focus as per the KRU Board mandate is our players and the future of our Kenya 7’s program. As this is an institutional personnel issue, we shall announce a new structure for the 2013-2014 season, after the Rugby World Cup. I cannot comment further, and I trust you will all respect the position of the Kenya Rugby Union Board. "



Philip Jalango

Director - National Squads & Elite Performance

Kenya RU
Mobile: +254 733 256179 / 724 256179
Email: info@kru.co.ke [Kindly note KRU's new email address]
kenyarugbyunion@gmail.com
Website www.kenyarfu.com
Physical Address: RFUEA Grounds, Ngong Road, Nairobi, KENYA
Postal Address: P O Box 48322, 00100, Nairobi, KENYA