Sport | Rugby
Sevens winners Amor and Friday link up again
Behind every good team, as the saying goes, is a good coaching set-up and the England women's squad has one of the very best in the sevens business.
- By Steve Hill, Special to Gulf News
- Published: 23:15 November 25, 2008
Dubai: Behind every good team, as the saying goes, is a good coaching set-up and the England women's squad has one of the very best in the sevens business.
Simon Amor and Mike Friday were captain and coach, respectively, when the England men clinched Dubai glory in 2004 and 2005.
And they could easily be working with any of the IRB teams chasing success in the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens which gets underway tomorrow at the new venue The Sevens.
But the pair are teaming up again as the off-field brains behind the England women's set-up, playing in the tournament under Phil Greening's Sporting Chance children's charity banner.
They are amongst the favourites, along with US, Canada and rugby charity side Wooden Spoon, for the women's title but Amor has one eye on the Rugby World Cup Sevens which will also be held in Dubai next year.
It will feature a 16-team women's tournament for the first time.
First time
Amor said: "A lot of our players will be in Dubai for the first time so this is a very important few days for us.
"It means the world cup next year won't be something out of the blue."
Amor, speaking after a training session at Dubai College with the Dubai Exiles' ladies and youth squads, was relishing his new role.
He said: "There's some super talent in this squad and we're pretty solid across the board.
"Things are coming together really well and I'm looking forward to seeing how the team performs.
"It's a fantastic programme and very enjoyable to be part of."
Share this article
Popular in Sport
-
Pictures
Kings of the court
The world's top tennis players who will battle in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals
Sport Editor's choice
-
Davydenko stuns Federer to enter ATP final
The number 13 proved unlucky for World No.1 Roger Federer as he wilted before Nikolay Davydenko 6-2, 4-6, 7-5
-
Afghanistan snap UAE's victory run
Man of the match Hassan takes ten runs of the last two balls to spoil hosts' winning run in the tournament
-
Lewis, Peters take four shot leads
Players enter final day of boys' and girls' competitions at the Abu Dhabi Junior Championship
