Sport | Rugby
London link-up for rugby club
The newly named Abu Dhabi Harlequins Rugby Club will defend the Gulf Cup next season having been bolstered by affiliation to the London Harlequins.
- By M. Satya Narayan, Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:09 August 3, 2008
- Image Credit: Ahmed Kutty/Gulf News
- Richard Harris has been re-elected chairman of the renamed Abu Dhabi Harlequins Rugby Club after the team became affiliated to the English Premiership side.
Abu Dhabi: The newly named Abu Dhabi Harlequins Rugby Club will defend the Gulf Cup next season having been bolstered by affiliation to the London Harlequins.
The club have re-elected Richard Harris as chairman and he spoke to Gulf News about what the affiliation to the English Premiership club would mean.
GULF NEWS: You have been elected again, how are you looking forward to the new season?
RICHARD HARRIS: New season is going to be fantastic having formally formed and affiliation with the English Premiership club. Bearing this in mind and together with the committee we have adopted a "work in progress" attitude. We are looking at a five-year plan regarding growth and development.
How do you look at the tie up with Harlequins?
Very, very exciting. We will be able to have our top coaches spend time with them in London and the Etihad Harlequins Rugby Festival is to be held from November 5 to 8 in Abu Dhabi. These are some of the immediate advantages. We are also looking at developing a link between all the Harlequins affiliated clubs, which will benefit all our members. We have a stated aim of using the link with Harlequins to help grow and develop the sport amongst the local Emirati population which will be challenging but at the same time, incredibly rewarding.
Any progress on the search for a permanent home?
There are many avenues that we are following in this regard, but as it stands at present, nothing is confirmed. We will be playing all our matches at the Al Gazal Golf Club again this season. It is a great facility and in order to allow us to keep growing, they have given us extra space to use on training nights as well as the Driving range facility where we will host the 4th Etihad Abu Dhabi Harlequins Rugby Club Junior Tournament on the 14th and 15th November.
In the new season, will AD Harlequins be under pressure as defending champions of the Gulf Cup?
Of course there's pressure, but it is a great kind of pressure. We are determined that we won't be one season wonders and have already put structures in place to make sure we have some more silverware at the end of the season again across all the age groups. Remember, we are also defending Dubai 7's Vets champions, and our U19's, U16's U14's, U12's and U10's all won tournaments.
Any other plans for the new season?
The seniors have already started training and our 'welcome back' fair will be held at the Crowne Plaza on Thursday 4th September at which members can register for the season. It is going to be a great season both on and off the pitch. Any person wanting to be involved with the club either as a player, coach or administrator can contact me on 050 5966854, Peter Sampson, the club Captain, on 050 2570676 or Guy Fulbrook the Junior Manager on 050 6210413.
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