Dubai: Wooden Spoon, the rugby charity that supports mentally, physically and socially disadvantaged children, is once again represented in force at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens.
The Ladies team, boosted by the presence of an array of internationals, appears the best bet for silverware, in the International Ladies section.
And while the Vets and Wooden Spoon Blues are also chasing honours, the first priority is to promote the charity and raise its profile.
To date it has raised more than Dh90 million in spending for projects for children and young people in the UK. And players who pull on shirts for Wooden Spoon also do their bit, as John Dewhurst, whose title is Rugby Development and Operations, explained.
He said: "We've brought 42 people here this year and there are no free loaders. Everyone has paid their way. It's fantastic ... people want to help and actually call and say they want to play for us."
Former England fly-half Susie Appleby and IRB Player of the Year Maggie Alphonsi line up for the ladies team while the vets team - beaten finalists last year - is managed by former England lock Steve Boyle and features players such as ex-Bristol captain Derek Eves and Rotherham lock John Dudley.
The Wooden Spoon Blues, meanwhile, include Leeds' Gareth Williams and Anthony Philips who these days plays in Milan.
Playing for pleasure
Dewhurst added: "For us, the key is playing for pleasure." Discussions, meanwhile, are just about complete for a match that will bring together Wooden Spoon Legends with their South African counterparts.
The game is to take place at Murrayfield on September 6 and act as a curtain-raiser to the final of the World Golden Oldies Festival.
