Conference Review

UAE

SideLine Rugby

GULF RUGBY

GULF RUGBY

Neil PalmerSR Neil, you are the Chairman and

indeed founder of the Arabian Knights Rugby Club. Have you been surprised by the growth of the club and where do you think you can go from here?

NP Very surprised, from an initial 34 registered players in September 2008,

to 118 at the end of the 2008-9 season, and now to over 500 mini and youth, the club has grown beyond expectations. Set-up as a community Club, at one point 94% of the members lived in Arabian Ranches; now we have moved to Dubai Sports City, the majority of the club live in the surrounding communities.

We cap our numbers at each age-group and therefore the ability to grow is limited to filling the few age-groups that have spaces and to grow the girls, women’s and men’s sections.

The vision for the club now is to grow the girls/ladies game with an U18s and a ladies team, with two men’s teams competing in the competitions next season.

This season has seen twenty plus Emirati's join our U16s and U18s, and with the UAERF strategy for more Emirati's to participate in the game we will also be focusing on recruiting Emirati's into the game by them joining the club and/or inviting some Emirati school teams to play our teams.

SR There seems to be a never ending supply of kids signing up to play not just

at the Knights, but all the clubs with M&Y programmes, to an extent that other clubs are starting youth programmes, what is it you think that makes rugby so popular here in the UAE and even the Gulf?

NP Rugby is a social, life long game where friends are made. It breeds

discipline, teamwork and confidence and to be part of a club makes the players proud. They are role models for younger age-groups, develop with their peers and have mentors in the older age-groups – it involves everyone, just look at the rugby sevens!

SR This season particularly, we have seen some disagreement with the

organization of the M&Y structure, is this possibly and ironically because there are so many people involved now? What are the major issues?

NP Good question. The game has grown through population growth,

f r o m t h e o r i g i n a l f e w c l u b s , D u b a i Hurricanes, Dubai Exiles, Al Ain Amblers, A b u D h a b i H a r l e q u i n s a n d S h a r j a h Wanderers a few years ago, there are at least ten now. With more clubs, means more rounds of league matches and between school activities, other sibling’s activities and parents having the occasional rest; it is very difficult fit everything in without the players doing too much and parents becoming fatigued.

The question is one of who should take the lead, is it the clubs, the schools or the UAERF? The reality is, it needs to be a collaboration to work through the process and then for a workable mini and youth season to be ironed out, which takes time and which should really be done after the current season. Not everyone will be pleased with the outcome, but there are so many competing activities for the players and the player’s families, that there will naturally have to be some compromise.

SR We see the schools becoming more and more interested in rugby

programmes and after the holidays the DASSA league will start. Can the school and clubs continue to act in any harmonious relationship?

NP This is really answered above; however, there will undoubtedly be

some conflict with clubs training mid-week when schools play, and the real heart of the matter is to ensure the players are not overdoing it, and if that means a choice between club training and schools, the players will have to choose.

SR This season the Arabian Knights have looked to lead the way in looking

for solutions to integrate young Emirati players into the club system, how important is this to the clubs ethos.

NP A K R F C i s o p e n t o a n y o n e , providing there are places available.

We do not stream our training and the aim is for everyone to develop equally and where some players need additional time on some aspects of the game relating to safety in the game, we look to work with them more closely to improve their ability. Emirati players are no different; the players we have are of mixed ability and

have integrated well within our squads. I believe we are obligated to give back to the Emirati’s and this is important for all members of the club.

SR Cont inuing with the Emirat i theme, how important do you feel it is

to have an integrated club system and what benefit will it have to both parties?

NP It is important to give back to the community and country we are in

by developing the Emirati’s, who can then move on to the PPP or Shaheen pathways run by the UAERF and to give the players an opportunity to represent their country at the highest level, which is what all sportspersons aspire too.

SR You have lived both in Hong Kong and Dubai and have tasted both the

seven’s Tournaments on offer. Can you stick your neck out and tell us, which is better?

NP They are two different events: HK holds a 10’s tournament the week

preceding the International 7s weekend where ex-professionals are represented by many teams at the HK Football Club and in the first hour before the internationals start the HK M&Y Clubs are on the pitch playing rugby as the stadium fills up, which is a great experience for them. It is all contained in one purpose built stadium and is a real social and networking hub for the weekend.

Dubai brings together teams from around the world in various categories in parallel with the internationals being played on the main pitch. A real family environment, where you can watch the schools play U18s, boys and Girls as well as international vets, like the CNCF Legends.

As AKRFC had three teams in the various competitions this year and aim to have five next year, I will have to choose Dubai!

SR What is the one thing about the Gulf Rugby scene you would like to

change or c ould just live without?

NP Politics between clubs is one! We should all be striving for the same

goals in developing all players and perhaps the clubs should communicate better throughout the season to ensure future seasons go as best they can for all who play the game.

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