Manicaland duo earns World Rugby Agent accreditation

Ray Bande

Senior Reporter

 

ZIMBABWE’S recent World Cup qualification triumph has been matched by a historic achievement in Manicaland, where two local rugby enthusiasts – Blessing Mwale and Richard Moyo – have been accredited as World Rugby Accredited Player Agents.

 

This prestigious recognition places Mwale and Moyo among a select group of individuals worldwide authorised to represent players in professional rugby.

 

For Manicaland, this milestone is a source of pride and a testament to the province’s lasting impact on rugby.

 

Mwale and Moyo’s rugby journey began at Hillcrest College in Mutare, where they represented provincial teams during their high school years.

 

They later reunited at the Under-21 level for Mashonaland Country Districts (MCD), forging an enduring rugby bond that has now come full circle with their accreditation as player agents.

 

Blessing Mwale — From Historic First to Global Pathways

 

Mwale made history during his schoolboy career by becoming the first player from Hillcrest College and from Manicaland to break into Zimbabwe’s schoolboy national teams at both Under-15 and Under-19 levels.

 

He represented Zimbabwe at Under-15, before earning selection to the coveted Craven Week team at Under-19, where he played alongside Shaun De Souza and Costa Dinha — both now seasoned national representative team coaches.

 

He was later selected for the preliminary Zimbabwe Under-21 squad, but a career opportunity in the hospitality industry led him to step back from competitive rugby.

 

Beyond playing, Mwale transitioned into sports administration, joining Zimbabwe Cricket as provincial development manager in Masvingo, before becoming assistant general manager for the franchise now known as the Mashonaland Eagles. Today, Mwale works in the education sector at one of Zimbabwe’s top ATS schools, teaching Critical Thinking Skills.

 

An accredited Level Two rugby coach, he has served as Sevens and 15s provincial coach and director of rugby for Manicaland.

 

Off the field, he has developed leadership frameworks and harnessed Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create a rugby coaching chatbot that assists coaches in designing training plans and sessions.

 

An EdTech advocate, he is also a finalist for the Schoolscape Innovator of the Year Award.

 

His commitment to developing others was also shown during his five years as Hillcrest Schools’ first-ever chaplain, where he combined mentoring with rugby coaching.

 

Richard Moyo — A winger with a winning record

 

Richard Moyo was a feisty winger whose pace and finishing ability made him a standout in Zimbabwean rugby during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He cut his teeth at Mutare Boys’ High School, before moving to Hillcrest College, later representing Mutare Sports Club in 1997.

 

In the same year, Moyo featured for Mashonaland Country Districts U-21, before graduating to the senior MCD side, which he represented from 1998 to 2004.

 

His club rugby career also saw him compete at:

Blackfordby 7’s (1999)

Gweru Sports Club 7s (2000)

Moyo’s trophy cabinet includes:

MVP – Musina 7’s (1996)

MCD U21 Probables & Possibles

Best Wing – Flame Lily Marondera (1998)

Best Wing – Kadoma Cotton Bowl (1998 & 1999)

 

He played alongside well-known names, including the late Denver Simango, Kudzai Matanga, and Scott Gray. His talent earned him a rugby scholarship through which he completed an Agriculture diploma.

 

After his time in Zimbabwe, Moyo moved to South Africa, where he established his own businesses, before relocating to England.

 

While abroad, he has maintained a strong passion for rugby, and is determined to create player pathways for Zimbabwean talent to enter competitive leagues both locally and internationally.

A Shared Mission

Speaking on their joint accreditation, Mwale said: “This is not just a personal achievement — it is an opportunity to open doors for players from Manicaland and beyond.”

 

With their new credentials, Mwale and Moyo are now positioned to connect Zimbabwean rugby talent to top professional leagues around the world —ensuring that the next generation of players have the representation they deserve. Their story is one of resilience, reinvention and a shared vision for the future of rugby. For Manicaland, it is proof that its rugby heritage continues to produce leaders — not just on the field, but in the corridors of global sport.

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