Strathmore Leos team manager shares how rugby has eased battle against cancer
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Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 25.09.25. | 10:16
Research shows that keeping busy with meaningful activities can improve mental well-being for people battling cancer
Strathmore Leos team manager Harold ‘Roldie’ Tende has found an unlikely ally in his battle with cancer. For the former fly-half, standing on the sidelines with the Leos throughout the National Sevens Circuit has provided much-needed therapy.
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Roldie was first diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer in 2015, shortly after completing high school. By then, he had endured months of persistent nosebleeds and debilitating headaches while preparing for his final exams.
Treatment was gruelling, and as he described, he lost the ability to walk and speak at times, relied on a feeding tube, and even struggled with vision.
However, one year later, he was declared cancer-free, and he thought he had left the disease behind. But in 2024, seven years later, it resurfaced, this time in his lung.
Once again, he found himself undergoing rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Even in pain and fatigue, he never missed a single leg of the Sevens Circuit.
“Recovery is a process; it’s like starting afresh, from how you eat to how you operate,” he shared after Strathmore sealed silver in this year’s circuit.
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Research shows that keeping busy with meaningful activities can improve mental well-being for people battling cancer. It does not cure the disease, but it reduces rumination, improves mood, and encourages healthier behaviour. For Roldie, being around rugby has done exactly that.
“When I announced that cancer had resurfaced last year, the rugby community stood with me. The team dedicated wins to me. When I started improving, I promised myself to always be there to cheer them on. I have to fight for these boys because of how much they support me,” he said.
That promise has kept him close to the game he loves. This year, the Leos claimed second place with 105 points, a huge leap from their fifth-place finish in 2024 with 78 points. Watching their progress has become one of his greatest motivations.
“Watching the boys grow, their creativity, productivity, and inspiration; that is what pushes me,” he explained.
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Beyond cheering from the sidelines, Roldie found a unique way to give back and spread hope. He launched ‘Hope Mode On’ merchandise, which has become a staple in rugby tournaments across the country. At Strathmore’s award ceremonies, players often don his gear.
“The message is about spreading hope. Seeing people wearing my merchandise means a lot; it’s a way of keeping hope alive, even for myself,” he said.
Still, the former fly-half admitted he misses playing. He recalled with a tinge of longing the Dala 7s quarterfinals, where Strathmore came agonisingly close to toppling giants KCB but fell 15-14.
“I miss being on the pitch, especially in moments like that quarterfinal. Sometimes when a player gets injured, I wish I could step in and replace them, but for now, I can only be on the sidelines,” he reflected.
Through the highs and lows of his journey, the one thing Roldie has carried with him is hope. Even when the disease overwhelms him, he finds strength in rugby’s spirit of brotherhood.
“There are days I don’t feel well, but just like in rugby, if you’re unwell, the coach substitutes you, and the next man steps up. The beauty of this team is that we work together, and it shows,” he shared.
And to those fighting a similar battle, his message was simple and powerful:
“Never give up. Hope is eternal.”
