• Shop
  • Basket
  • Checkout
  • 0Shopping Cart
Yalla Rugby
  • Gulf Rugby
    • UAE Rugby
    • Rugby Clubs
    • Rugby Academies
    • Rugby Referees
    • Mens Rugby
    • Womens Rugby
    • Junior Rugby
    • FAQs
  • Dubai 7s
  • Competitions
    • West Asia Premiership
    • UAE Premiership
    • UAE Division 1
    • UAE Division 2
  • Fixtures & Results
  • Latest News
  • Podcast/TV
  • Rugby Shop
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
News

Saracens benefit from boosted club numbers for 2019/20

Peter Henderson - Director of Rugby at Abu Dhabi Saracens 2019

Saracens aim to kick off their 2019/20 campaign with a welcomed boost of new coaches, players and improved club facilities.

Following their refocused 2018/19 season, members within the walls of Abu Dhabi Saracens have seen the club move into the 2019/20 season well ahead of schedule. Director of Rugby and Head Coach, Peter Henderson has admitted its all been extremely positive.

He explains,

“When I took over the role two years ago, I was more or less thrown into it. That first year was about survival, I can’t deny it. We needed a change of direction with respect to how we did things, who we were and what we were about. That included some tough decisions, which resulted in a new four year plan. Firstly, to reduce to a single team and bring back our traditional rugby values. I was planning on growing the club back to two teams by the 2020/21 rugby season, but in light of the unprecedented influx of new players, as well new coaches, we are proud to be in a position to extend our club back to it’s original two teams earlier than planned.”

Featured Advert

Advertise With Us!

“Some days you’re the pigeon and others, you’re the statue.”

Last season, Saracens played in the UAE Conference League, now known as the UAE Division 1, winning eleven out of their thirteen games and narrowly missing out on a semi final place to Al Ain Amblers, who finished higher in the pool B group.

“It was a bitter pill to swallow. Some days you’re the pigeon and others, you’re the statue. The Dubai Tigers were worthy winners, as were all teams who went in to the final series. We have full respect for the competition structure and all of our opponents. This year is a different structure* and we’re expecting to deliver some exciting rugby to the competition. We’re incredibly proud to be able to field teams in both UAE Division 1 and UAE Division 2.”

Photo credit: Grant Winter

Reports show that numbers at training have continued to rise during pre season, which has led to the club’s decision to enter a second team into the lower Division 2 competition. When asked about the decision to enter a second side, new Chairman, Joe Cervantes said,

“With more than enough players for one team, I proposed to the committee that we simply cannot deny players who train and pay their subs the chance to play. Sarries exists to grow rugby in Abu Dhabi and the UAE in the style and traditions that only a rugby club can. We’ll always welcome players of any ability. Gulf Rugby Management have been very supportive as well and we’re proud of where we’ve come from these past few years.”

New coaching staff

Saracens welcome three new assistant coaches to their backroom staff for the 2019/20 season. Jason Brown from South Wales, who brings with him experience as a successful Head Coach of the Combined Services for the UK Military and other top level RAF and Military teams as both a player and coach. Steve Da Maré joins the club from Belgium where he played for the national team and later went on to coach at national level Colts and Ladies. Finally, Farrel Jacobs joins the coaching team as a retired Sarries first team player and now the club’s forwards coach.

saracens women's rugby

After finishing in the bottom half of the ladies rugby Sevens Series last year, the club will once again be entering a Ladies Team into this years’ competition. Coaches Luca Mene said,

“Our ladies team has a great mix of experienced players and newcomers – but it’s the atmosphere they bring to the club that’s what is really remarkable. We’re going from strength to strength again this year.”

Based at Al Ghazal Golf Club, Abu Dhabi Saracens train every Monday and Wednesday nights from 19:00 until 20:30. Al Ghazal has also undergone big improvements over the summer. The pitch has had all new lighting fixtures replaced and the rugby pitch levelled, ready for the start of the season.

Anyone interested in joining the club can do so by enquiring on their Saracens Rugby profile page.

*Gulf Rugby Management have dropped the split tables this season instead opting for a single league structure.

07/09/19/by Alex Johnson
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
https://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/2019-abu-dhabi-saracens-crugby-club-boost.jpg 314 600 Alex Johnson https://www.yallarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/yalla-rugby-dubai-uae.png Alex Johnson2019-09-07 00:06:192019-09-07 00:10:31Saracens benefit from boosted club numbers for 2019/20
You might also like
Gulf Rugby Report 2020-212020/21 End Of Season Report
Gulf RugbyGulf Rugby Roundup – Half Way Point
UAE Rugby Division 1 league semi finals 2020UAE Division 1 Rugby Playoffs Journey 2020
gulf rugby summer transfer list 2019Summer Transfer List Revealed. Who’s In? Who’s Out?
Saracens withdraw from UAE PremiershipWeek 12’s Rugby Action From All 3 Leagues In The UAE
Saracens withdraw from UAE PremiershipSaracens Withdraw From UAE Premiership Rugby

Other Rugby News

  • Dubai's Best Sports Bars For Live Rugby during the 2023 Rugby World Cup In France
    Best Sports Bars in Dubai for Live Rugby World Cup Action: [2023 Guide]28/08/23 - 11:38
  • International Rugby RWC Warm Up Matches Kick Off Times For UAE
    Sizzling Summer of International Rugby! Kick Off Times For UAE Viewers02/08/23 - 17:12
  • Henry Paul - Dubai Hurricanes head coach
    Dubai Hurricanes Unveil Ex International Star Henry Paul as New Head Coach17/07/23 - 21:54
  • uae national rugby team
    UAE Mens XV Squad Announced Ahead of Asia Rugby Division 1 Championship05/06/23 - 17:35
  • UAE Rugby Finals 2022/23
    Rugby Finals Round Up – 2022/2318/03/23 - 15:35

Get Into Rugby

  • Mini & Junior
  • Senior Mens
  • Senior Womens
  • Referees
  • Dubai Rugby Sevens
  • Find A Rugby Club
  • Kids Rugby Academies

Latest Podcasts

  • Paul Hart - Jebel Ali Dragons Rugby Club
    Podcast – Ep.14 With Paul Hart04/05/23 - 12:30
  • Chanley Williams - Dubai Tigers Rugby Club
    Podcast – Ep.13 With Chanley Williams27/04/23 - 12:24
  • Episode 12 of the Yalla Rugby Podcast - David Learman
    Podcast – Ep.12 With David Learman13/04/23 - 12:25
  • Henry Paul - Dual Code International Rugby Legend
    Podcast – Ep.11 With Henry Paul05/04/23 - 19:20
  • Rocky Truter - Dubai Hurricanes Rugby Player Podcast Interview
    Podcast – Ep.10 With Rocky Truter29/03/23 - 11:04

HOME | GULF RUGBY | RUGBY 7’s | NEWS | FIXTURES & RESULTS | MEDIA | SHOP

Yalla Rugby – The Home of Gulf Rugby

Online and frequently at Rugby Park – Dubai Sports City – Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Terms & Conditions of use.

Scroll to top