The Kenya Lionesses have stepped up their preparations for the opening leg of the HSBC SVNS 2 with a high-performance training camp scheduled for Spain later this month.

The national women’s sevens rugby team will travel to Alicante on January 26 for a week-long camp aimed at fine-tuning their readiness ahead of the Nairobi leg of the global series, which Kenya will host on February 14 and 15, 2026. The squad is expected back in the country on January 31.

A total of 14 players have been selected for the European tour following an intensive training block at home.

According to the technical bench, selection was based on consistency, resilience and strong performances in recent competitions, including the Safari Sevens and the Africa Sevens tournaments held earlier in 2025.

Sheila Chajira has been named captain of the travelling side, with Freshia Oduor taking up the role of vice-captain. The squad also receives a significant boost with the return of experienced forward Stella Wafula, who rejoins the team after completing a high-performance training programme in the United States. France-based Grace Okullu is also set to link up with the team directly in Spain.

While in Alicante, the Lionesses will engage in a series of high-intensity training matches against Spain and Belgium.

The fixtures are expected to provide valuable exposure to elite opposition and simulate the demands of top-level international rugby.

Kenya Lionesses head coach Simon said the European camp is a deliberate part of the team’s broader performance strategy.

“Training in Europe allows us to test combinations, build match fitness and sharpen our tactical execution against quality opposition,” he noted.

The Spain camp marks a crucial phase in the Lionesses’ build-up as they target a strong showing on home soil when the HSBC SVNS 2 season gets underway in Nairobi.