Senior Womens Rugby
Usually there is a 15s competition ran after the 7s league finishes up in March. Teams amalgamate to make up a 15s side and play a round robin competition with three regional sides, UAE North, UAE South and Doha (who will not be competing this year due to diplomatic reasons). This is not yet confirmed for this year as it usually depends on interest, numbers with possibility of a 10s tournament instead.
Standards
The standard in the gulf ladies rugby has improved in the last few years with current players having Premiership and International experience and other players returning to play International and Premiership rugby. Most of the clubs compete in social summer 7’s and beach rugby tournaments around Europe, with some local rugby clubs being successful in winning those tournaments.
There are talks that UAE rugby will be incorporating an U19’s Girls competition with the Women’s tournaments to hopefully increase the interest in local women’s rugby. This will hopefully happen in February tournament in Sharjah.
Overall girls and women’s rugby is growing in UAE, for both Emirati and expat players.
Requirements To Play
To take part in any competitive rugby match throughout the rugby season, the UAERF requires that all senior women rugby players must be registered with a rugby club and be fully insured. Many of the rugby clubs around the UAE will build active sports insurance costs into their season’s subscriptions.
