Pro Elite Rugby Academy is the brainchild of Shingirai Zhoya and Promise Chinyunyu, who started the project seven years ago with a bold ambition — to change the face of rugby in Zimbabwe by targeting the grassroots level.
The academy caters to boys as young as six years old up to 13, welcoming children from all walks of life and backgrounds.
Grassroots rugby has long been a missing link in Zimbabwe’s rugby development structure, and Pro Elite’s mission is to bridge that gap.
Their goal is to get more kids playing and loving rugby from an early age, fostering both skill and passion.
The academy’s growth has been made possible thanks to the generosity of key sponsors in the corporate world.
These include Chems Africa, Budget Health Medical Aid Society, Ritz and Thelm, Ariella Guest Lodge, and Gleam Clearing and Logistics.
These organizations have helped fuel the dream of the academy, providing crucial support that keeps the program running.
Pro Elite has also begun to expand its footprint beyond Zimbabwe. Recently, they toured Zambia and participated in the Martin House 10s Festival, where they won gold in both the Under-9 and Under-11 age groups.
Another tour is scheduled for August, where the academy will head to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to compete in a 7s tournament at Michaelhouse.
Zimbuzz Sports caught up with one of the founders and head coach, Shingirai Zhoya, during the recent Tri-Angular Series held on 21 June, which featured matches between Shaun De Souza Rugby Academy (SDRA), Little Giants, and Pro Elite.
“Our aim as Pro Elite Academy is to eventually have a senior men’s team which will participate in the senior league and build our own elite facility where we are able to harness all the talent we’re training in Zimbabwe,” said Zhoya. “We don’t want to end at the development level — we want to have a full-circle system.”
Tri-Angular Series Results – Saturday, 21 June
- U9: Lost 15–10 to a mixed team of Little Giants and SDRA
- Pro Elite Green (U11): Drew 10–10 with SDRA
- Pro Elite Black: Lost 25–5 to Little Giants (mixed team with Grade 6)
- U13: Won 28–5 against Little Giants
With consistent results, growing participation, and international exposure, Pro Elite Rugby Academy continues to lay the foundation for a stronger rugby future in Zimbabwe — one child at a time.
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