Want to have the bragging rights to be Gulf Rugby’s Assault Bike Fitness Champion 2020?
In partnership with Yalla Rugby and Bidi Bondi – Assault Home Fitness DXB are holding a competition to see which rugby club has the fittest rugby players in the UAE.
This event is the true test of power and muscle endurance and will be held on Tuesday the 28th July at Bidi Bondi’s on the Palm Shoreline, Dubai.
Competition Information
Contestants representing their rugby club, will have to sprint for 60 seconds, to burn the maximum number of calories on the awesome Assault Air Bike.
Each rugby club can nominate 3 x men, 1 x lady and 1 x vet to compete in the respective category to become the Assault Home Fitness Champion of 2020. In addition to individual titles, there will be a Club prize for best leaderboard placings.
The competition is free to enter and there will be food and beverage deals on throughout the evening, so supporters can make a night of it, with the live competition streamed through the TV screens for visibility throughout the venue.
So, if your rugby club thinks it has the UAE’s fittest members… get in touch with @assaultfitdxb on Instagram or Facebook or Whatsapp: +971 55 773 1978.
Today we finally have news of who will be running the leagues next season
The UAE Rugby Federation have announced that the successful candidate who will be managing the Gulf rugby leagues next season will be a new collective consortium of affiliate member rugby clubs.
It was back in in late March when it was announced that Gulf Rugby Management (Emirates Group) would be stepping down from managing the leagues after two years of service. Since then various entities have approached the UAERF and submitted their proposals for contention of running the leagues next season.
Who is the consortium of affiliate member rugby clubs?
The Club Consortium will be put in place with nominated representatives from each affiliate member club of the UAE Rugby Federation. They will set out the rules and regulations and structure of the leagues in line with UAERF and oversee the everyday management of the successful delivery of domestic rugby, including men’s, women’s and mini and junior rugby.
One of the first jobs that the new management group will undertake, will be putting in place the new fixture calendar for the 2020/21 season. Not an easy task in the current Covid era that we find ourselves in. Rugby training still isn’t back yet and teams will be itching to get some pre season training in.
There will no doubt be some big changes and announcements in the coming weeks and months about the structure of the leagues.
Have your say…
Let us hear your thoughts by leaving a comment below:
https://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/new-gulf-rugby-management-announced.jpg314600Alex Johnsonhttps://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/yalla-rugby-dubai-103x156.pngAlex Johnson2020-07-09 15:42:532020-07-09 15:49:57UAE Rugby Reveal New League Management For 2020/21 Season
The UAE Rugby Federation are looking to move forward with their plans to have a new league management in place by the start of the 2020/21 rugby season.
They have publicly announced that they are ready to start receiving applications and have set a deadline for the 15th June 2020. The move comes off the back of current league management company – Gulf Rugby Management (Emirates Group) announcing that they would be stepping down from managing the league at the end of this current season after only two years in charge.
Have Your Say!
What would you like to see changed or improved by the next management company? Let us know your thoughts about the management of rugby for next season by leaving your comments below:
https://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/new-gulf-rugby-management-2020.jpg314600Alex Johnsonhttps://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/yalla-rugby-dubai-103x156.pngAlex Johnson2020-05-20 10:40:352020-05-20 10:40:35UAE Rugby Announce Tenders For New League Management
World Rugby has announced that, with immediate effect, it will no longer be possible to score a try by grounding the ball against the post protector.
Could we be heading towards a replacement for the iconic H style rugby posts?
The minor amendment to Law 8 was approved by the World Rugby Council during its special meeting held via teleconference today and follows a recommendation by the international federation’s Rugby Committee and specialist Laws Review Group.
With defending players currently legally obliged to stay behind the goal-line and post-protector shape and size increasing for welfare reasons, it is increasingly difficult for teams to legally defend this area.
In some extreme cases, post protectors have been lifted or moved by defending teams, leaving the posts exposed and therefore increasing the risk of injury.
The amended law will now read: The post protector is no longer an extension of the goal-line and therefore Law 8.2 (a) will read: A try is scored when the attacking player is first to ground the ball in the opponents’ in-goal.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said:
“World Rugby’s mission is to make the game as simple, safe and enjoyable to play as possible. This law amendment reflects that mission.”
“By stipulating that an attacking team can no longer score against the post protector and therefore must ground the ball in-goal, this gives defending teams a fair chance of preventing a try from being scored.”
Is there now a need to look at the shape of rugby posts?
There has been chat amongst the rugby community of re-designing the posts so that the bottom half of the posts are placed on the dead ball line and arch forward so that the top half of the posts are in line with the try line, looking more like NFL posts instead of the traditional H style rugby union posts.
From a safety point of view, this would certainly tick those boxes as it would eliminate any danger on the try line that would normally be caused by the base of the padded posts. Kicking doesn’t look like it would be affected either.
What are your thoughts? Would you welcome a new style rugby post similar to American Football?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below:
All Stats of the West Asia Premiership rugby season
Due to the premature end to the West Asia Premiership rugby season 2019/20, we’ve had plenty of time to get geeky and crunch the numbers from fixtures and results that were actually played throughout the season. Although the 3 fixtures were marked as a draw, we have still managed to find some interesting data for you and presented it in a simple infographic below.
Infographic showing statistics from the West Asia Premiership rugby season 2019/20
https://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/gulf-rugby-premiership-2019-20-stats.jpg314600Alex Johnsonhttps://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/yalla-rugby-dubai-103x156.pngAlex Johnson2020-04-15 15:39:532020-04-28 16:14:09West Asia Premiership 2019/20 Season By The Numbers
Following the recent announcement by the UAERF regarding the 2019-2020 rugby season, Gulf Rugby Management (GRM) in consultation with UAE Rugby Federation will be implementing the below process, to conclude the 2019-2020 season.
West Asia Championship
All remaining league games are to recorded as a 0-0 draw. (criteria as used in the Rugby World Cup cancellations due to the Typhoon).
No West Asia final.
Based on the above, Bahrain are to be declared 2019-20 season Champions.
No winners can be reached so the 2019/20 mini & Youth rugby season shall be declared void.
Will there be a trophy presentation?
When there is the opportunity, GRM/UAERF will arrange for the trophy presentation of the above mentioned winning rugby teams.
What will happen next season?
Having served a formal notice, Gulf Rugby Management (Emirates Group) have notified the UAERF that they will no longer be continuing with the management of Gulf Rugby. So, who will manage Gulf Rugby next year…… time will tell.
Tell us your thoughts
Let us know your thoughts on today’s announcement of the conclusion of the 2019/20 rugby season in the comments section below;
Following on from our previous announcement earlier this month, the UAE Rugby Federation have announced the full suspension of all rugby activity for the current season. Remaining fixture that are unplayed will be scheduled during the new 2020/21 season. The full notice from from UAERF can be read below:
UAERF Coronavirus COVID-19 Notice
Pursuant to the Federal Authorities Health Measures and direction of General of Sports, the UAERF Board of Directors decisions Notice 01/320 in light of the precautionary measures in maintaining players’ safety and welfare, the following is decided:
Suspension of all Rugby activities at all Clubs/Academies for all age groups Season 2019/20
Re-scheduling of any Season 2019/20 remaining league fixtures/competitions to effectively take place during Season 2020/21.
What does this mean for Gulf Rugby?
The West Asia Premiership was all but complete, apart from the final which was due to be played tomorrow (27th March 2020) in Bahrain, between the Dubai Exiles and Bahrain RFC. This fixture will now most likely be played next season to determine who will be crowned West Asia Premiership Champions 2019/20.
The UAE Premiership final was due to be played last week, between the Exiles and Dubai Hurricanes but again, won’t now be completed this current rugby season.
In Division 1 we were down to the Semi Finals to see who would compete on finals day. This was going to be between Saracens, Wanderers, Hurricanes and Amblers, so again, this will hopefully be picked up again early next season.
Division 2, was looking exciting, until we faced the Coronavirus COVID-19 notice to halt all rugby action. It’s a close fought battle between Barrelhouse, Rak Rugby, Harlequins and Muscat. Muscat could still top the table and play one of the other tree clubs in the Division 2 final.
The Womens rugby sevens tournament was all but tied up with the Dubai Hurricanes winning the league, ahead of the Knights Eagles, with a 10 point margin. The only remaining weekend to be played was Round 8, hosted by the Dubai KnightsEagles at Sports City.
So… how long this lockdown on sports will last, no one knows.
How do you think the season should end?
Award the titles to the league table toppers or play out the fixtures next season? Let us know your thoughts below…
In the meantime, #staysafe #stayhome and keep fit as next season will be worth the wait!!!!
The UAE Rugby Federation have released a statement regarding all rugby activities throughout the UAE in connection with the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. Various sports councils around the Emirates have published notices advising Gulf rugby clubs and sports centres to close. This follows recent school closures which have gone into effect as of today (March 5th). The Sevens Stadium in Dubai has also released a statement saying;
“Due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and instruction from the Dubai Sports Council, The Sevens Stadium has suspended all activities with immediate effect. Subject to further advice from authorities, The Sevens Stadium will now be closed from today (5th March) until the 31st March 2020.”
UAE Rugby Federation Statement Regarding COVID-19
Below is the notice published by the UAERF.
Pursuant to the UAERF Board of Directors decision amid COVID-19 virus outbreak, in alignment with the Global and Nationwide Health and Safety precautions putting players’ Safety and Welfare at utmost priority, the following applies with immediate effect:
Cessation of all Rugby activities at all Clubs\Academies for all age groups with immediate effect until 31 March 2020.
Resuming activities will be considered only following any update from higher governing authorities.
All concerned entities to abide by the content of this notice.
Decision to be disclosed in social media and to all concerned entities.
Wishing safety to you all,
United Arab Emirates Rugby Federation
https://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/game-off.jpg314600Alex Johnsonhttps://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/yalla-rugby-dubai-103x156.pngAlex Johnson2020-03-05 17:21:452020-03-05 18:43:28All Rugby Activities Are To Cease Until Further Notice
Due to the current Coronavirus health situation within the region, Gulf Rugby Management have been working with Asia Rugby and UAERF regarding the West Asia Premiership.
On advice from Asia Rugby and the UAE Rugby Federation, the decision has been taken that all future games scheduled to be played in the 2019-2020 West Asia Premiership are cancelled.
GRM expect to release further information on how the final West Asia Premiership standings will be determined within the next 24 hours.
What West Asia Fixtures Have Been Cancelled
The following fixtures where still due to be played, including the West Asia Premiership Final.
Bahrain vs Dragons
Bahrain vs Harlequins
Bahrain vs Exiles (Final)
What About The UAE Premiership, Division 1 and Division 2?
The above information provided by GRM only applies to the West Asia Premiership, all other games scheduled in the UAE Premiership, Division 1 and Division 2 will continue as normal.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Front and centre, Steph Carte, Rebecca Octave, Morgan Gladden and Emma Ash
Earlier this month, four members of the Dubai Tigers ladies rugby team headed to Kenya to meet Storm Trentham, founder of the Kenya Lacrosse team.
Trentham, currently Head Coach of all the lacrosse programmes within Kenya, held U19 Lacrosse World Championship trials at St. Peter’s School in Mumias, ready for the U19 tournament which takes place in Ireland this summer.
Alongside the trials, the Tigers ladies; Emma Ash, Steph Carte, Rebecca Octave and Morgan Gladden, ran a two-day rugby camp for the St. Peters School rugby teams, including a highly competitive group of boys, who often finish top two in Kenya for Rugby 7s and 15s and regularly do well at the Eastern African Schools Championships,
The girls went armed with copious amounts of Dubai Tigers rugby kit, which they kindly donated to local players at the school and also donated other sportswear to Kenya Lacrosse trialists and Kibera Girls Soccer Academy.
How Can You Get Involved?
Stephanie Carte tells us how you can get involved if you or anyone you know is looking to go out to Kenya and volunteer;
“This is about so much more than just sport, so anyone and everyone can contribute hugely, whether young, old, sporty or non sporty!”
You can get involved with the U19 Kenya boys or girls teams by donating kit to the rugby teams in Kenya, or with other charity projects by getting in touch with the Tigers ladies or Storm Trentham at kenyalacrosse@dbasports.com
The ladies have future trips planned in April and May of this year, so get your spare or unwanted rugby stash dug out and get donating!
https://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/dubai-tigers-ladies-head-to-kenya-feb-2020.jpg314600Alex Johnsonhttps://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/yalla-rugby-dubai-103x156.pngAlex Johnson2020-02-29 19:43:582020-02-29 19:43:58Tigers Meet Storm Trentham and Coach Rugby in Kenya
One of the highlights of the season for the Al Ain Amblers rugby club and many other youth rugby teams around the Gulf, is the annual Mini & Youth Rugby Tournament held over in the Garden City.
Unfortunately, due to the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus (Covid-19), the lock-down of hotels on Yas Island, the cancellation of the UAE Tour and the directive sent out by KHDA to all Dubai schools, the Amblers have decided to comply with these directives and put the health and safety of the general public at the foreground and therefore have cancelled their Mini & Youth Rugby Tournament which was due to be held at the club next weekend on the 6th and 7th March.
Director of Sport at the club, Rocco de Bruyn said:
“We do apologise for any inconvenience as we know many parents have made hotel bookings for the event, but we feel this is the right thing to do.”
Other rugby cancellations in the region saw the Abu Dhabi Harlequins away fixture to West Asia Premiership league leaders, Bahrain cancelled this weekend and is due to be rescheduled for Friday 13th March.
https://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/coronavirus-causes-further-cancellations-in-gulf-rugby.jpg314600Alex Johnsonhttps://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/yalla-rugby-dubai-103x156.pngAlex Johnson2020-02-29 18:03:052020-02-29 18:03:05Coronavirus Causes Further Rugby Cancellations In The Gulf
Division 1 Playoffs – Qualifying Teams in 2019/20 Season
We’ve now reached the end of the regular Gulf Rugby season for the UAE Division 1 rugby competition. All bar one of the league fixtures have been played and the top four teams who have qualified for the knockout stages of the competition are now set in stone.
Congratulations must go to the league toppers and undefeated Saracens 1st XV with a full house, having collected maximum bonus points in each of their fixtures and scooping a total of forty five league points. It was this time last year that the Capital City side just missed out on qualification for the finals, due to the old (Conference) format of the split leagues, which saw them neck and neck with the Amblers, only to fall short on points difference.
With a gap of ten points, follows the Dubai Hurricanes 2nd XV with thirty five league points having won seven of their nine league fixtures and only losing two games to Dragons and the aforementioned Saracens. In third place and trailing the Canes by five points are the Al Ain Amblers with thirty league points having won six of their nine fixtures and just securing their spot in this years’ finals playoff are the Sharjah Wanderers with twenty six league points making it a certainty for qualification. Even if fifth place Dubai Exiles were to beat ninth place Harlequins with a bonus point victory, they’d still fall short by one point to qualify. That fixture is still under discussion as to whether it will go ahead, having previously been postponed early in the season.
UAE Division 1 Semi Final Fixtures 2019/20
So we’re now just two Division 1 fixtures away from knowing who will face off on Finals Day over at the Sevens Stadium on the 20th March. First place finishers (Sarries) will host fourth place (Wanderers) and second place (Hurricanes) will host third place (Amblers).
You can preview these fixtures in our new ‘Head To Head’ feature by clicking on either of the fixtures below;
Below you can view our data visualization of each Gulf Rugby Club featured in this year’s Division 1 League table, showing their routes to final placement*.
The video does not include the unplayed match between the Dubai Exiles and the Abu Dhabi Harlequins.
It’s been a long old season for the KnightsEagles 1st XV, as they’ve faced some incredibly tough scorelines in their first season as a rebranded club. The last time some members of this team tasted victory was back in March 2018 when they were known as the Dubai Eagles . Even then, that was a rare sight, as they battled to come to terms with their first season of Premiership rugby as a newly formed club.
Skip forward to February 2020 and not much has changed for the Knights Eagles, having gone through the whole of the 2018/29 season and 2019/20 without a win…
Until now that is. Friday was the day that’s supposed to be filled full of hearts. That day was St. Valentines Day.
KnightsEagles Earn First Win Against Dubai Tigers
That’s certainly one thing that you cannot take away from the KnightsEagles Rugby Club. They have a lot of heart. A tight-knit group, that have turned up, week in – week out and left everything out on the playing field. Today’s victory might not count for much in the league tables, but it should instill belief in the club that they are not here just to make up the numbers.
They are still a very new club in comparison to the others in the league, but Friday’s fixture, hosted by the Dubai Tigers was a thriller of a game that could have quite easily gone either way. Both sides had been neck and neck until the KnightsEagles broke away in the last 15 minutes of the game with a late Dom Williams try which sealed the match 37-22.
https://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/knights-eagles-first-premiership-win-2020.jpg314600Alex Johnsonhttps://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/yalla-rugby-dubai-103x156.pngAlex Johnson2020-02-16 08:55:282020-02-16 10:28:10KnightsEagles Show Heart To Claim First Win
HSBC Mini/Youth Rugby Tournament – Always a crowd-pleaser!
The HSBC Mini/Youth Rugby Festival, the largest of its kind in the region, was co-hosted again for the eleventh year running by the Exiles and Hurricanes, who welcomed over 240 teams from around the Gulf as they descended onto all 8 of the pitches at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai last weekend.
The grass roots tournament welcomed over 3,500 young male and female players from under 5 to under 19 years of age, sporting their skills over the two day event. Presenting medals and trophies to all winners during the cause of the weekend, were HSBC Sports ambassador, former international player of the year and Springbok legend, Bryan Habana, Welsh international and British & Irish Lions legend, Mike Phillips along with former dual-code international player, Apollo Perelini and President of Asia Rugby, Qais Al Dhalai. Tom Urquhart from Dubai 103.8 radio station kept the many rugby fans entertained with music and interviews in-between announcing the winners for each category.
Dubai Knights 3rd XV in action against Abu Dhabi Harlequins 3rd XV
UAE Division 2 Rugby Teams Withdrawn
The second half of the Gulf Rugby season has just kicked off after the winter break where most clubs break away for the Sevens Rugby season. So far it hasn’t been the best start to 2020 for two of the UAE Division 2 Rugby Clubs as we can confirm that two teams have withdrawn from the competition.
The Dubai KnightsEagles and Dubai Shaheen have withdrawn from the competition after struggling to fulfil their fixtures throughout the first half of the season.
Division 2 began the 2019/20 season with ten clubs, all looking to compete amongst each other in what is still viewed as the “social rugby” scene and also previously known as the Community League. Teams play their fixtures every fortnight, so there is less pressure for players to commit to training unlike the upper Division 1 and Premiership leagues which have a much busier schedule throughout the season and the need to perform at a more competitive level week in week out.
Click the button below to view upcoming fixtures from the UAE Division 2 league
So thats the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens over with for another year
The 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Emirates Airlines Dubai Rugby Sevens were taken to a whole new level with the Emirates A380 Airbus flying over The Sevens Stadium, not once but twice, giving spectators a beautiful and close view of the plane! One of the biggest events of the weekend was of course, the performance of international pop-singer Kylie Minogue in concert with her fans singing and dancing on pitch 2 and in the Rugby Village along with a Freddy Mercury tribute artist, Police band and cheerleaders performed during the breaks and entertained the crowds.
The winning teams (listed below) will certainly remember this years sevens tournament, with an impressive total of 96 Gulf teams competing in seven different tournaments over the three day event at The Sevens Stadium, we bring you up to date with who’s won what and who gets bragging rights for the next twelve months!
Hurricanes Ladies – Dubai 7s Gulf Womens Champions 2019
Only a few hours after their men’s team retained the Gulf Men’s League title, it was double joy for Dubai Hurricanes as they swept aside Emirates Firebirds 52-0 to add the Gulf Women’s trophy to their burgeoning collection.
Alexandrea Cook was the star of the show, claiming a hat-trick of tries and a total of 32 points in an impressive individual performance for a well drilled Hurricanes outfit. As well as causing a constant threat with her pace, Cook’s kicking also proved a significant factor with Firebirds struggling to secure possession from her well placed restarts.
It was Cook herself who benefitted from hesitation in fielding the opening kick off, leading to an early score under the posts. That set the tone for a first half where tries came at regular intervals – Paula McCarthy’s score on the stroke of half time putting the game beyond reach at 31-0 at the break.
Problems at the restart and the breakdown made it difficult for the Firebirds to keep hold of possession for long periods in the game, their brightest moments coming with a second half attack which set Jasmine Singh free down the touchline only to be dragged down when entering the 22.
The second half also saw the pick of Hurricanes tries with Cook again the beneficiary but the score coming after a number of slick handling combinations in a length of the field move with Sian Williams to the fore. Williams had herself earlier got on the scoresheet, with the additional tries coming from Harriet Witty and Jade Cunningham.
Despite their disappointment at the one-sided nature of the final, the Firebirds will take pride in their determination to compete and tackle until the final whistle, and can reflect on another successful tournament after beating a competitive Abu Dhabi Harlequins side 15-14 in their semi-final to reach a second final in three years.
For the Hurricanes, they will now claim to have usurped Dubai Knights Eagles (who they defeated in their semi-final) as the number one side in the UAE women’s game and will go in to the latter rounds of the Women’s Sevens Series as very much the team to beat.
Dubai Hurricanes:Alexandrea Cook, Bridie Johnson, Danielle Dempsey, Hannah Carey, Harriet Witty, Jade Cunningham, Minal Tailor, Paloma Adorisio-Hughes, Paula McCarthy, Sarah Keating, Shelley Forde, Sian Williams
Emirates Firebirds:Belinda Uyassi-Holloway, Carmen Gea Ortiz, Josephine Taofinuu, Kathryn McClay, Maria Picco Palacio, Marnie Howard, Melisa Lee, Monique van der Bank, Olivia Collins, Sydnee Chang, Nicole Bailey, Jasmine Singh
https://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/hurricanes-womens-champions-dubai-7s-2019.jpg471900Alex Johnsonhttps://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/yalla-rugby-dubai-103x156.pngAlex Johnson2019-12-08 09:56:522019-12-08 09:58:35Alexandrea Cook’s four tries inspire Hurricanes to Women’s Dubai 7s Title
Dubai Hurricanes – Dubai 7s Gulf Mens Champions 2019
Dubai Hurricanes completed a successful defence of their Gulf Mens League Dubai 7s crown, defeating Bahrain 26-10 in a final they largely controlled from start to finish.
Despite having won the pool fixture between the two sides and seen off a strong Abu Dhabi Harlequins outfit in their semi final, Bahrain RFC were never really able to get their power game going and were hampered by a string of handling errors at critical moments.
A second half comeback was fleetingly on the cards after Greg Heath’s try reduced the deficit to 10-21, but dropped passes and the ability of Hurricanes to take the sting out of the revival by slowing down the game meant the outcome was never in serious doubt.
The opening proceedings however, had seen Hurricanes adopt a much faster tempo, moving the ball into the wider channels and allowing their strike runners space to operate. Playing with the confidence of reigning champions they were impressive in their ability to keep control of possession when under pressure and manoeuvre a heavier set of Bahrain forwards around the park.
The ever dangerous Sakiusa Naisau opened the scoring with a superb solo effort from deep within Hurricanes territory, his try then followed by another breakaway score from Tobias Oakley after good work from Blair Cochrane. Lewis Anderson added a third – all three converted by Boris Finck – before a typically powerful surge from Jack Phillips created the space for Kyran Odendaal to give Bahrain hope going in to the break.
With a sense that the job was already half done, Hurricanes were able to take their foot off the gas in the second period, employing a more conservative approach with kicks to the corner and even a rolling maul (much to the delight of their home support). They were ultimately to have the last say after a series of phases camped in the opposition 22 put Ed Lewis over in the corner to complete the scoring.
If their 2018 triumph had seen Hurricanes emerge as something of a surprise package, in retaining their title they have underlined their calibre in the shortened format. Both sides will now switch attention back to the 15 a side West Asia Premiership which resumes in the new year where Dubai Exiles sit unbeaten at the top of the league.
Bahrain:Adam Wallace, Faataualofa Paila, Graham Bishop, Greg Heath, Jack Phillips, James Whittingham, Kyle Nair, Kyran Odendaal, Nika Morehu, Rhys Fitzgerald, Daniel Parete, Vairaro Mahutariki
Dubai Hurricanes:Blair Cochrane, Boris Finck, Ed Lewis, Elliot Speed, Emosi Ratuvecanaua, Harry Heathcote, Lewis Anderson, Pio Tanimatuku, Sakiusa Naisau, Tim Richards, Tobias Oakeley, Tomos Roderick
https://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/hurricanes-retain-dubai-rugby-7s-gulf-mens-title-2019.jpeg471900Alex Johnsonhttps://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/yalla-rugby-dubai-103x156.pngAlex Johnson2019-12-07 15:28:032019-12-07 15:28:03Dubai Hurricanes hold off Bahrain to retain Dubai 7s title
Are you interested in playing rugby in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or anywhere else in the United Arab Emirates? If the answer’s YES, then stick around as we’ve got all your questions answered below. If there is a question you need answering about playing rugby in Dubai then give us a shout and we’ll answer it for you.
All You Need To Know About Playing Rugby In The UAE
Q: How old do you have to be to play rugby in Dubai?
There is no age limit for playing rugby in Dubai.You can pick a rugby ball up a join one of the many training sessions held around the country, but to play in any senior competitive rugby match you will need to be over 18 years of age. Rugby Union training classes start from as young as two years of age. Players well in to their fifties are still making the odd appearance in social rugby club fixtures too.
Q: Do you play rugby on sand pitches in the desert?
Rugby in the Gulf has come on a long way over the past ten years. All of the matches played in any of the domestic leagues for men, women and children are played on grass pitches these days with some being of exceptional quality surfaces. The last remaining sand rugby pitch was the home ground for the then RAK Goats (now RAK Rugby).
Q: Do rugby players get paid to play rugby in the UAE?
No, at the moment there are no rugby clubs offering financial contracts to play rugby in the UAE. The level of rugby here is still very much played as an amateur sport.
Q: How can I find a rugby club in Dubai?
Dubai is the main city for rugby in the UAE and has nine rugby clubs all playing competitive rugby at various levels. You can find a rugby club in Dubai here. You can choose from the following rugby clubs that are situated within Dubai: Barrelhouse, Dragons, Exiles, Hurricanes, KnightsEagles, Shaheen, Sharks, Tigers, Warriors.
Q: How can I find a rugby club in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi, although the capital of the UAE only has three official rugby clubs that compete in the domestic Gulf leagues. You can find a rugby club in Abu Dhabi here or choose from the following: Al Ain Amblers, Harlequins, Saracens.
Q: How can I find a rugby club in Sharjah?
There is only one rugby club situated in the Emirate of Sharjah and they are the Sharjah Wanderers RFC. One of the oldest rugby clubs n the region.
Q: How can I find a rugby club in Ras Al Khaimah?
There is only one rugby club situated in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and they are RAK Rugby club, also once known as the Rak Goats.
Q: How much does it cost to play rugby in the UAE?
To play rugby for any of the local rugby clubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah you will need to pay club fees and have full medical insurance. Club fees vary with some clubs including medical insurance within their package. Fees last for one season at a time and are renewed every new season.
Q: Can I play for a team if I am visiting the United Arab Emirates?
You can only play rugby in the UAE you need to be have a residents visa and have an Emirates ID or have an application in progress. Without the official ID and appropriate visa, you will not be eligible to play rugby in the UAE. Tourist visa’s are not accepted.
Q: Who is in charge of Gulf Rugby?
The UAE Rugby Federation (UAERF) are the governing body for all rugby within the UAE and are one of the Member Unions of World Rugby. The UAERF contract Gulf Rugby Management (GRM) to oversee the day to day running of all the rugby leagues and competitions that are played within the UAE. GRM are situated over at The Sevens Stadium where the Dubai Sevens Rugby event takes place each year.
Q: Where can I go to watch a rugby match?
There are very few rugby clubs in the region that have their own official grounds and club house. Rugby matches in Dubai are played at one of the following venues: Jebel Ali Centre Of Excellence, Dubai Sports City, Dubai College and finally, The Sevens Stadium. If you want to attend a rugby match in Abu Dhabi, you can visit, Zayed Sports City Stadium, Al Ghazal Golf Club and the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club. To watch a rugby fixture in Sharjah, you can go to Sharjah Wanderers Sports Club. Finally to watch a rugby match in Ras Al Khaimah you can visit Al Hamra Golf Club.
Q: Can you drink alcohol at a rugby match in the UAE?
Within the confines of certain locations around the UAE you can drink alcohol during a rugby match. The following locations have alcohol being served during a game: Dubai Sports City Rugby Park, The Sevens Stadium, Al Ain Rugby Club, Al Ghazal Golf Club, Zayed Sports City, Sharjah Wanderers Sports Club, Jebel Ali Center of Excellence and Al Hamra Golf Club.
Here’s your Gulf Rugby guide to the 2019 Dubai Rugby Sevens, which kicks off this coming Thursday 5th December
When the summer heat has dissipated, the Christmas songs are blasting and Toffee Nut Lattes are being served, you know it’s that special time of year again – the Dubai Rugby Sevens weekend is upon us!
Celebrating its 50th Year, the Dubai Rugby 7’s 2019 will no doubt be a huge spectacle. A reduction of rugby teams this year however, will be noticeable as Pitch 2 rolls out the red carpet to make way for Pop Queen – Kylie Minogue. As ever, we’ll stay focussed on the domestic rugby and provide you with all you need to know about what’s happening in the main Gulf Competitions for 2019:
The main tournament for domestic rugby followers, featuring the familiar names from the West Asia Premiership and won last year by tournament underdogs – Dubai Hurricanes when they beat Abu Dhabi Harlequins for first Dubai 7s title in over a decade. As with the nature of the Dubai7s, it’s always a tough call to predict a rugby club winning this tournament as it’s always so open. Any team could win this on the day! With the promotion of the Dubai Tigers up to the Premiership, they will feature in this years Gulf Mens League competition for the first time, but will also field a side in both Pool A and Pool B.
The teams will complete a pool stage round robin over the opening two days, looking to gain favourable seedings for the knockout stages, which culminate with the Final on 12:44pm in front of the main crowd on Pitch 1.
Pool A: Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain RFC, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2 Pool B: Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Dubai KnightsEagles, Dubai Tigers 1
Gulf Womens Champions 2018 – Dubai Eagles
Gulf Women
Over the past three years, the women’s rugby game in both UAE and the wider region has grown emphatically. Previous champions DSC Eagles (now known as Dubai KnightsEagles) have won the tournament in the 2017 and 2018 competitions and the Dubai Hurricanes won the inaugural trophy back in 2016. Of late in the domestic Sevens Series league, both clubs have been the dominant force in the women’s game and should prove to be a mouth watering fixture should they meet in the knockout stages of the competition, that is, unless one of the ever competitive teams below conjure up a surprise defeat to either side.
The teams are split in to four pools, the top two in each proceeding to the Trophy knockout stages and the bottom two entering the Plate. Womens Finals take place on Saturday with the Trophy to be contested at 16:20 on Pitch 2.
Pool A: Dubai KnightsEagles, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 1, Emirates Firebirds Pink, MusCATs Pool B: Al Ain Amblers, AUC Wolves, Emirates Firebirds Blue, Amman Citadel Pool C: Dubai Hurricanes, Sharjah Wanderers, Abu Dhabi Saracens, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 2 Pool D: Transforma Panthers, RAK Rides, Kuwait Scorpions, Dubai Tigers RFC
Gulf Mens Open winners 2018 – Roberts Constructions
Gulf Men’s Open
A colourful mixture of sides from across West Asia will be making the trip to Dubai with 18 teams in total playing in four Pools that make up the Gulf mens Open this year. Last year won by Roberts Constructions, in a thriller against Sharjah Wanderers, just edging them to victory with a 15-12 win.
The pool stages once again spread across both days with two rounds on Thursday and a single round on Friday with knockout stages culminating on a busy Saturday. Group winners and three best runners up will enter the Trophy, remaining runners up, all third placed teams and the best of the groups back markers will compete for the plate. The Trophy final is scheduled for 15:40 on Pitch 2, immediately following the Plate which will be held on Pitch 6.
Pool A: Roberts Constructions, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 2nd XV, Saudi Rugby, Sri Lions Pool B: Abu Dhabi Saracens, Amman Citadel, Multiplex Bulls, Muscat RFC Pool C: Al Ain Amblers, Ceylon Warriors, Riyadh Falcons, Dubai Sharks Pool D: Kuwait Scorpions, Jebel Ali Dragons 2nd XV, Bahrain Firbolgs, UAE Shaheen
Dubai Celts – Gulf Mens Social Winners 2018
Gulf Men’s Social
Barrelhouse, Harlequins 3rd XV and RAK Rugby, all level on points in the domestic Division 2 league will be looking to use their recent good form in the fifteens game to their advantage in the Sevens game. Last year it was RAK Rugby who made it to the final, just pipping Barrelhouse in the quarters to unfortunately succumb to a strong Dubai Celts side 24-15 on a packed out Pitch 2.
Pool A: Dubai Celts, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 3rd XV, Ceylon, Jazan Nomads Pool B: Rak Rugby, Dubai Lankans, Dhofar Nomads, AUC Wolves 2 Pool C: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors, Red Sea Rugby, PDO Pirates, The Buss Pirates Pool D: Emirates Flying Muppets, AUC Wolves 1, DAK Demons, SAFA Community School
Jebel Ali Dragons – Gulf Vets Winners 2018
Gulf Vets
The 10’s tournament focuses on over 35’s (veterans of rugby). Last year the Jebel Ali Dragons Vets lifted the Trophy for the second consecutive year as they scorched a 22-7 victory over Joining Jacks. This year sees sixteen teams (reduced from twenty three), battle out Pool rounds before being placed into Trophy and Plate knockout tournaments. Will the Dragons be on the hunt to make it three in a row for the Gulf Vets Trophy? The following teams will be looking to stop that from happening:
Pool A: Jebel Ali Dragons Vets, Ceylon Warriors, Riyadh Scorpions, Abu Dhabi French EFR Pool B: Joining Jack, Rocktape Barrelhouse Vandals, Sharjah Wanderers, Bahrain Golden Oldies Pool C: Musaffah Billy Goats, Abu Dhabi Harlequins Vets, Daddy Canes, Khobar Eagles Pool D: Al Ain Amblers Vets, Dubai Hurricanes, Warrior Frogs, Dubai Sharks
Dubai Exiles – U19 Girls Winners 2018
Gulf Girls Under 19’s
In the Gulf U19 Girls competition, the previous two years have been dominated by the Dubai Exiles. They also made it to the final of the 2016 competition only to lose to a strong BSAK side. Last year the Exiles put an average of 35 points on each opposition and only conceded a total of 17 points throughout the whole weekend so will certainly be going into this year as one of the favorites.
Pool A: Dubai Exiles, Abu Dhabi French EFR, Al Ain Amblers, Al Maha Pool B: Dubai KnightsEagles, British School Al Khubairat, Dubai English Speaking College, Dubai Hurricanes
Dubai College – U19 boys 2018 winners
Gulf Boys Under 19’s
The dominant Under 19 Youth Rugby Team to beat over the past two years at the Dubai Rugby Sevens has been Dubai College. In the 2018 Gulf Boys competition, the final was played out between a Dubai Collage A and B side as they saw off rivals BSAK and DESC to guarantee silverware for the local Dubai School based next to Al Sufouh. Always a superb showcase of up and coming talent from the Gulf region, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to watch some of the future stars of World Rugby cut their teeth in at the ceiling level of grass roots rugby.
In similar fashion to the mens rugby, there will be four Pools leading to Trophy and a Plate knockout stages. Below are the how the preliminary pool rounds will be decided:
Pool A: Dubai College, Deira International School, Al Ain Amblers, Warriors Pool B: Dubai English Speaking College, Repton Royals, Jumeirah College, GEMS World Academy Dubai Pool C: British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Yasimina Academy Pool D: Dubai Exiles, Jumeirah English Speaking School Blues, The English College, Bahrain Colts
