Special Features
Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union
Rugby is played, by men, women and junior age groups, in the Gulf Cooperation Council member countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates while we have associate members in Cairo, Beirut and Jordan.The majority of senior players are ex-patriots from traditional rugby strongholds such as New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Australia but an increasing number of nationals are becoming interested in the sport, particularly at the younger age groups.
Matches are these days mostly played on lush grass pitches, but some still take place on sand which, apart from oil, gas and sunshine, is the region’s most abundant natural resource!
Women’s rugby in the Arabian Gulf
Ladies rugby is a popular sport in the Gulf region.
All teams are continually looking to recruit new players, of any nationality, with or without playing experience.
Home cup draw for Dragons, Exiles
Holders Dubai Dragons have been draw at home to Abu Dhabi in the semi-finals of the Standard Chartered Arabian Gulf Cup, due to take place early next year.
The second play-off sees Dubai Exiles entertain Bahrain for a place in the final of the region-wide knock-out competition.
The Dragons, who are closing in on a third successive cup triumph, will be content with a home draw for their date with the Bats who this season have re-emerged as a potent force in Gulf rugby.
The recruitment of two key performers from the Dragons – No 8 David Clark and flanker Jonny Ombler – has boosted the Abu Dhabi pack while players such as Gulf international scrum-half Duard Hoffman, centre Stephan Sphor and full-back Ross Millar have all thrived thanks to extra time and space.
But the Dragons, who went through last season unbeaten on the way to also clinching the Gulf league title, also have a 100 per cent record in the current campaign and continue to set the standard for everyone else to follow.
Dubai Exiles, meanwhile, are rewarded for their quarter-final success away to Kuwait Nomads with a home date against Bahrain.
The cup represents the Exiles’ best chance of silverware this season after a calamitous league defeat last weekend away to Doha. And Mark Gathercole’s squad will be fired up for the visit of Bahrain.
Ray Ferguson, the chief executive of Standard Chartered UAE, said: “All four semi-final teams have excelled in the Standard Chartered Gulf Cup this year and deserve their place in the last four.
“Rugby in the Gulf is in the spotlight at the moment after the tremendous success of the Dubai Rugby Sevens. With the increased interest generated from such a world-class event and the ever-improving levels of play, the future looks bright for rugby in the region.
“To date, the Standard Chartered Gulf Cup has produced a number of memorable matches, some great rugby and acts as a great advertisement for the game in the Arabian Gulf.”
Standard Chartered Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final draw: Dubai Exiles v Bahrain, Dubai Dragons v Abu Dhabi. Matches to be played before the end of February.
Sponsorship boost for Gulf referees
The Arabian Gulf Society of Rugby Referees has received a massive boost with the news that a new sponsorship agreement has been signed with Power Developments International FZCO ("PDI") through to the end of the 2005/06 season. The agreement will significantly aid in the development of referees and touch judges involved in the sport through the Middle East.
Email: agrugby@emirates.net.ae
Website: http://www.agrfu.com
