Abdullah Bin Humaid Al Qasimi Becomes Patron Of RAK Rugby Club

Club has ambitious plans for Emirati, Expatriate and Youth teams

His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Director of the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah’s Office, met today with representatives of Ras Al Khaimah Rugby Club to mark the beginning of his association with the club as its patron. In attendance were Simon Williams, chairman of the club, and its president, Ken Neves.

I am delighted to take on the role of RAK Rugby’s patron and I look forward to the club growing to its full potential in the coming years

HE Sheikh Abdullah commented, “I am delighted to take on the role of RAK Rugby’s patron and I look forward to the club growing to its full potential in the coming years. The re-formed club has exciting plans to engage both the Emirati and expatriate communities, and to play a full part in the Emirate’s social and cultural ecosystem.”

RAK Club was originally formed in 1969, and typically played as an informal social side. But its days of having the only surviving sand pitch in the UAE may be numbered as the new regime has plans to upgrade to a grass facility. Training has already shifted to the Tower Links Golf Course. That step is only a small part of the club’s drive to the top.

According to Simon Williams, the club’s chairman, its new incarnation has ambitious programmes for this season that include the launch of an Emirati team to compete in the UAE Rugby Federation league, and a target for Ras Al Khaimah participation in the UAE Emirati rugby side, the Shaheen. “We will also have mini and youth teams as well as a women’s team and a resurgent senior men’s team,” said Williams, “so there is a lot we need to do to grow the club. Having His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah on board to guide us is an important moment in the next phase of the club’s development.”