When Marvel Oswago Laura pulled on the red jersey of the Kenya Lionesses for the first time at the 27th edition of the Safari 7s, it was more than just another match, it was the realization of a dream she had carried since childhood.
The young debutant brought energy, passion, and composure to the pitch, marking an impressive first outing among some of Kenya’s finest rugby talents. Her story is one of belief, hard work, and the joy of finally living a long-awaited dream.
“My heart melted with joy and excitement. I’ve always wished to play for the Kenya Lionesses and represent my nation,” she said with a bright smile after her first international appearance.
As she prepared for kickoff, the moment carried mixed emotions pride, nerves, and determination.
“Kenyans are watching, I need to compose myself even though I’m nervous,” she recalled.
Playing in front of a home crowd made the occasion even more special for the young star. “It was so special knowing that people paid to come watch you play, support you, and cheer you up as you represent the country. I’m glad they turned up in large numbers,” she added.
Marvel describes her experience sharing the field with seasoned players as inspiring. “It was a nice experience.
They are cool and calm with good rugby. I really learned a lot from them,” she said. “They encouraged me to stay composed and express myself on the pitch whenever I got the chance.”
Her debut against Tunisia was memorable, full of energy and impact.
“That was my all-time match for the tournament. I came off the bench with good energy, had some nice take-offs and offloads that led to tries. I loved it,” she said with pride.
One of her favourite moments came when she helped create a scoring opportunity. “The moment I turned over the ball, gained yards, committed a tackle, and offloaded to my teammate who ran to score that was special,” she recalled.
However, the match also came with lessons. “Communication was poor during attacks at first, but I’m glad we sat down and agreed on how to go about it, the dos and don’ts during breakdowns and set pieces,” she explained.
Her debut has given her a renewed sense of confidence and hunger to grow. “It has boosted my confidence to a higher level. I’ve learned that to do something great, you need to believe in yourself. You can be a good player, but there are always better players out there, so you have to keep improving every day,” she said.
Looking ahead, Marvel hopes to enhance her pace and strength. “I want to improve my speed because I aim to be a strong center with both power and gas,” she said. She also hopes to share her new experiences with her teammates. “I’ll pass on what I’ve learned from the senior players, some good moves, defensive tactics, and more.”
Her biggest inspiration is New Zealand’s Portia Woodman. “I love her playing style, the speed, agility, take-off, and the fact that she’s learned. I really admire her because one day I’d love to be a career woman who also plays rugby,” she said.
Marvel’s message to young girls is one of hope and persistence. “Dreams are valid. Keep believing and work on your dreams one day they’ll come to pass. Most importantly, remember that rugby goes hand in hand with education,” she concluded.
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