Photo Credit: David Learman
It’s been a long time in the making, but RAK Rugby club finally have a place they can call ‘Home’
Rak Rugby RFC have had their fair share of pitch space over the years. Up until 2017 they were the only Gulf rugby club who played their fixtures on the golden sands of Ras Al Khaimah, training at various locations around the region and playing mostly away fixtures. It was then in 2017 that they made a move to the Tower Links Golf Club where they were able to train on grass for the first time and have a base to build on their foundations as a club which has origins going back to1969, and typically played as an informal social side.
“It is the culmination of many months of hard work and we are proud of how far this club has come.”
Along their journey to where they are today in 2019, which is at a new location within Al Hamra golf club, they have great progress on and off the pitch and still have ambitious plans for Emirati, expatriate and youth rugby in the region.
Photo Credit: Rak Rugby
A New Chapter in the Rak Rugby Story book
After securing a new partnership with Al Hamra golf club last season, Rak rugby saw their dreams of having their own pitch take a first step in becoming reality, as ground was broken and in July the bulldozers rolled in to begin work. Fast forward three months to this coming Friday 18th October and new Chairman Ryan Reaney will be welcoming His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Chief of Ras Al Khaimah’s Rulers Court and RAK Rugby’s patron, to cut the ribbon on the finished rugby pitch and club facilities that Rak Rugby club can finally call ‘Home’. The full size pitch has been built in collaboration with Al Hamra, and comes with newly built changing facilities as well as access to Al Hamra’s hospitality within the golf clubhouse.
Club Chairman, Reaney, said;
“This Friday marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of our club and rugby in the Northern Emirate. It is the culmination of many months of hard work and we are proud of how far this club has come. Credit must be given to the members of the previous committee; Simon Williams, Eddie Presch, and Dave Learman, as well as current committee members Ken Neves and Galvin McKechnie who have laid the foundations of this project and without which we would not have achieved what we have today.”
“This initiative has only been possible due to the generosity of our sponsors, some of which have been with us for several years.”
“We have also been very lucky to have forged strong new relationships with local companies. Without their financial backing and the support none of this would have materialised. We may be a small club compared to some of our brother clubs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi but we have a tenacious spirit and are proud of our historical roots in Ras Al Khaimah.”
“This is reflected in the fact we have the support and generosity of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, who is an active supporter, and to the community at large. Our goal is to grow a love of rugby within our community and we urge everyone and anyone that would like to try the sport to join our men and ladies at training on Monday and Wednesday evenings.”
Rak Rugby Club will officially open their new rugby pitch and facilities in time for the senior men’s rugby match against Division 2 side Dubai Sharks on Friday. Before the kick-off, an opening ceremony will be performed by RAK Rugby’s patron, His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Humaid Al Qasimi.
