Thousands of young rugby stars take part in Abu Dhabi Youth Championship

thousands of young people rugby player It will take over Abu Dhabi this weekend with a community-supported sports festival.

The Harlequins Junior Rugby Championship, being held in the capital Zayed Sports City, will welcome over 2,800 people player Exciting entertainment on Saturday and Sunday for ages 5 to 18.

The highly anticipated event was organised by Harlequins Abu Dhabi, one of the oldest clubs in the UAE, with the help of a small group of enthusiastic volunteers.

Hundreds of assistants, many of whom are the players’ parents, will serve as coaches, team managers, field marshals and medical staff to ensure the festivities run smoothly.

“The work behind organizing a game like this is huge. There are 500 volunteers, most of whom are parents helping organize the game. It’s a real community event,” Harlequins youth team manager Candice Woodhead, a volunteer herself , she told Nationwide.

217 in total football Teams representing 12 clubs in the UAE will take part in the competition, all relishing the opportunity to showcase their skills after previous competitions were interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

united by love of the game

“Many volunteer coaches have been training players for years without pay. This is a community united by the love of rugby,” said Ms Woodhead, whose husband Angus Woodhead is the club’s president.

Her two children, Harrison and Bella, also compete in the U16 boys and U18 girls’ divisions.

Ms Woodhead, an Australian who moved to the UAE 12 years ago, said the club was fully operational with the help of volunteers and a great rugby family.

“We’ve been involved in the club since our kids were five. It’s a lovely community to be in middle East. We are lucky to be a part of it. “

Founded in 1970, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, also known as Quins, is a vital part of the community with over 1,000 active members, from age 4 to veterans, including all-female teams at the U13, U15 and U18 levels. The club has a junior and senior section, aimed at girls and boys.

Ms Woodhead said Quins provided an affordable platform for rugby fans and children who wanted to play outside of school.

“The kids pay an annual fee of Dh2,000 to Dh2,500 for the season. This includes free training, equipment, insurance and the chance to play weekly matches.”

‘Nice to be back’

Radwa Allabban, a long-time Abu Dhabi resident and mother of three boys who play for Queens’ U13s, U9s and U6s, can’t wait for Saturday’s opening. ball.

“After a long break, it would be great if the kids could finally play and play again after the pandemic.

“During the upcoming tournament, I volunteered to support a small group of parents who are doing their best to organise a wonderful and fun experience for our children and other youth rugby teams from across the UAE who join Quins.”

Garry Haynes, Aircraft Engineer Etihad Airwaysis a parent and head coach of Quinn; the under-13 team.

“There were lots and lots of kids, and some coaches. I was very interested in kids and I decided to get involved,” Mr Haynes told Reuters Nationwide.

His two boys, aged 12 and 14, also play for the club.

After get off work, he finds time to train his kids on the field for an hour, twice a week, Monday and Friday.

Likewise, Canadian couple Jason and Jen Kennedy, who moved to Abu Dhabi from Qatar last December, said they found an “instant community” with the Quins.

The couple have three daughters, aged seven, 10 and 12, who all play for the Harlequins.

He is the head coach of the women’s under-13 team and his wife Jen is the team manager.

Mr Kennedy, who works as an operations manager in the oil and gas industry, said: “It was a hospitable family with great sports opportunities, especially for girls.”

“Playing rugby is important to them. But it also helps them learn about teamwork and the feeling of growing in the community.”

Updated: November 5, 2022 3:00 AM