Taking NZ rugby home to Kenya

Maitai Kahindi is one step closer to fulfilling his dream of coaching the Kenyan national rugby team, with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science from MIT in his play book.

"I want to go back and coach in Kenya," says Maitai, who grew up in Nakuru. "Kenya is known for athletics. I would love it to be known for its rugby."

"I decided that if I wanted to learn this game, I needed to go where the game is. When I'm applying for any coaching job, the brand New Zealand and the All Blacks has already sold me. It's like marketing."

Maitai has studied New Zealand rugby for years: "If you play rugby in Kenya, you know the All Blacks. We all watch rugby. When we were young, we used to imitate the All Blacks. Black jerseys, everything."

"I watch all the tri-nations, the All Blacks, South Africa and Australia. But I'm not just watching, I'm looking for ideas and those ideas I use on my own team."

Maitai is earning his stripes coaching Manurewa High School's second XV. He's also coached the forwards at Western Springs College for three years, and was a waterboy for Marist Rugby Club's Under 19 squad.

His passion for rugby started in Kenya when he was selected for his school team at 16 years old. He quickly progressed to team captain and coach while he was still playing.

"New Zealanders start their rugby when they're young; we start in high school. But not all high schools have the privilege of playing rugby."

After leaving high school, he continued to coach his high school team. "I wanted to try and leave a legacy," he says. "Many of the boys I coached are now playing for clubs in Kenya, and one is in the professional league in Austria."

At 19 years old, he was offered the head coaching role at several private and public schools. But he wanted to take the next step into a professional career.

"When I came here to New Zealand, I realised that I didn't know rugby at all; I needed to learn it."

"Everyone in New Zealand already knows how to play the game," he says. "It's just a matter of polishing the skills. 'Yeah you can pass the ball, but how accurate are you?' Those tiny details, that's where your coaching comes in."

He says his studies helped him understand the difference between coaching and understanding the science behind the game. "Coaching is just telling someone 'you need to do this'. Science is about understanding the player and how his body is working," he says.

"I was coaching rugby and applying the science. Whatever I learned in class, I taught it on the field. It's like I was using my players as guinea pigs."

"It's getting the boys to be able to perform. Having that kind of knowledge, I can run the whole team. I know where to start and where I want them to be at the end of the season."

"I like the challenge," he says. "You need to start with the smallest skills, build it up so that they can perform at the highest level."

Maitai will graduate with a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science degree on Saturday 28 May 2016, along with 1,072 other people as part of MIT's 2016 Graduation.

"I can't wait to graduate, and to start. In life, it's all about having goals, and I can already see the finish line," he says.

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