Inside Ng’iya Girls’ Hockey team’s historic rise and 2026 ambitions
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Reading Time: 6min | Fri. 30.01.26. | 19:33
At the center of this transformation is head coach Antony Nyadida, whose reflections on the journey reveal a story rooted in belief, preparation, collaboration, and a carefully nurtured winning mindset
When Ng’iya Girls High School lifted the Nyanza Region hockey title in 2025, it was more than just a trophy moment.
It was a statement, one that signaled the arrival of a new force in Kenyan schoolgirls’ hockey and the end of a long-standing regional hierarchy.
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For years, Nyamira Girls High School had defined dominance in Nyanza, having dominated in the region since 2019 and crowned both national and East African champions in 2023.
Ng’iya Girls, by contrast, had largely existed outside the traditional conversation of powerhouses.
That narrative changed decisively in 2025.
Ng’iya did not merely dethrone giants; they followed it up with a third-place finish at the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Championships, booking a maiden ticket to the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) Games.
There, on their first appearance, they again defied expectations by finishing third - a remarkable feat for debutants.
At the center of this transformation is head coach Antony Nyadida, whose reflections on the journey reveal a story rooted in belief, preparation, collaboration, and a carefully nurtured winning mindset.
Moment belief became reality
According to Nyadida, the breakthrough was as much psychological as it was tactical.
“The most defining moments in our journey were winning the Nyanza Regional championship and qualifying for the FEASSSA games on first attempt at the KSSSA nationals,” he recalls.
“The success was so glorious to us. Specifically, winning the Nyanza Region games propelled us to believe in ourselves. It clicked in our minds that it is doable if you believe," he added.
That victory did more than earn silverware, it dismantled a mental barrier.
For a team long viewed as underdogs, beating Nyamira Girls validated years of quiet work and unrealized ambition.
Nyadida is quick to point out that Ng’iya’s rise did not begin with him alone.
It is the product of continuity and shared vision.
“This dream has been there for years. The coaches before had the dream, it is through them that the present moment we marvel,” says Nyadida.
Central to his coaching philosophy is trust, a belief that players respond when they know their coach believes in them.
“When players learn that you believe in them, they will play for you and for themselves to enjoy. We have made our girls fear losing.”
That edge is reinforced by mantras that shape the team culture: “Train hard, win easy” and “Success is not for everyone but those who grab it.”
The players are encouraged to approach every match with urgency, discipline, and the mindset of finality.
“Play as if you are doing it for the last time,” he adds.
Tunza Sports effect
A key accelerator in Ng’iya Girls’ 2025 success was their partnership with Tunza Sports, a grassroots-driven organization focused on structured athlete development.
“Tunza Sports opened the way for us,” Nyadida says. “From the academy, we got some of the most refined talents. We had seven girls from Tunza Sports.”
“Being a result-oriented organization, they pushed us to the limit. Constant follow-up and guidance,” he notes.
That support system ensured that Ng’iya’s progress was not accidental but systematic blending school-based coaching with academy-level development.
If the team’s regional triumph was about belief, the national and East African stages demanded experience and adaptability.
“The team might have been newbies in the tournament, but the coaches were not,” says Nyadida.
Understanding the magnitude of FEASSSA competition, he deliberately expanded his technical circle.
“I engaged a number of coaches to help us understand the FEASSSA terrain. It was rough, but with the help of Nyanza coaches and friends across the country, we conquered.”
He pays special tribute to the wider hockey fraternity, including technical support from Nyamira Girls a powerful example of sportsmanship and shared growth within the hockey community.
“Tom Olal pumped the best to this team; time, resources and tactics. That is the success journey,” acknowledges Nyadida, underscoring the collective effort behind Ng’iya’s breakthrough.
Overcoming underdog label
Despite their results, Ng’iya Girls spent much of 2025 fighting perception.
“The biggest challenge was being viewed as an underdog. Most people didn’t believe that the team could make it,” admits Nyadida.
Limited access to quality build-up matches compounded the challenge.
“At some point it was difficult to get build-up matches. Teams playing hockey are few, and most stop training after elimination. We had to look for friendlies far away.”
Yet, adversity sharpened rather than slowed the team.
The lack of expectation became fuel - a chance to surprise, disrupt, and announce themselves on bigger stages.
Ng’iya’s success was anchored in individual brilliance married to collective discipline.
Goalkeeper Clare Maloba emerged as one of the tournament’s standout performers, earning the Best Goalkeeper award at the Nationals.
“She was the surprise package,” says Nyadida.
Captain Faith Atieno provided leadership and composure, while attackers Sandra Lubanga, Lucy Juma and Verion Akinyi powered the offensive unit.
Defensive and midfield growth came from Virginia Moraa, Quincy Akinyi and Risper Akinyi, with Moraa clinching the Most Promising Player award at FEASSSA.
These performances not only defined 2025 but also laid the foundation for sustained competitiveness.
Having tasted success, Ng’iya Girls are no longer content with participation or podium finishes alone.
“In 2026, we really want to perfect the success areas and improve on the flaws,” says Nyadida. “We are all aiming at either National or FEASSSA crowns. The technical team must also be sharper this time round.”
Preparations have already begun, with key competitions pencilled in.
“We are planning to attend the Tunza Super 8 Cup in Kisumu on 31 January 31 to 1 February. We will also host the third edition of the Hellen Masengeli Tournament in our school on 14-15 February,” he reveals.
These tournaments will serve as assessment platforms before final tactical refinements.
More than hockey
Beyond trophies, Ng’iya Girls High School sees sport as a pillar of holistic education.
“We want to be the beacon of hope and a model school that everyone can admire,” explains Nyadida, “By showing the world that one can excel academically as well as in co-curricular activities.”
The school is open to partnerships, positioning itself as a collaborator in the growth of girls’ hockey rather than an isolated success story.
Nyadida reserves special praise for the support system behind the team starting with Chief Principal Masengeli, who also doubles as part of the coaching setup.
“She has supported the team to a point of almost no lack,” he says.
The school community has been unwavering.
“Our fans follow the team to whichever corner we go. Even in build-ups they are always there to cheer,” he says, smiling at the memory of songs, anthems, and shared celebrations.
He also acknowledges key contributors Raquel Nyte of Tunza Sports, Frank Odayo, and Peter Okova, whose behind-the-scenes efforts continue to shape the programme.
Ng’iya Girls’ 2025 season will be remembered as the year belief met opportunity when preparation dismantled pedigree, and a once-overlooked school announced itself on the biggest stages.
As the 2026 season approaches, they are no longer chasing recognition.
They are chasing titles armed with experience, structure, and a community that believes just as fiercely as they do.
And this time, no one will be calling them underdogs.
