Le Meridien Hotel supports women's outfit

Abu Dhabi: This year's AGRFU women's team for the Dubai Sevens will be sponsored by Le Meridien Hotel, Mina Seyahi and EAS (Energy-Athletics-Strength) International.

The team assembles today at their base in Dubai with players from Qatar and Kuwait joining the UAE players. The team will visit the EAS International stand at the MEFIT exhibition at the Trade Centre late in the afternoon where they will attend a presentation by Greg Boucher, Middle East managing director of EAS International, on the benefits of correct nutrition and diet for sports men and women.

"EAS International will be providing the team with nutritional drinks, gels and supplements throughout the tournament as well as monitoring the team's performance with a view to assisting the players in achieving even greater heights of physical fitness throughout the rest of the season," said Boucher.

Michael Scully, general manager, Le Meridien Hotel, Mina Seyahi, said: "This is an opportunity to support what is often seen as the lesser of the codes at the Sevens, but which is one of the fastest growing areas of the sport worldwide."

The hotel's assistance will go a long way towards fostering a strong team spirit for the players. As in previous years, they have had to stay at friends' and relatives' houses around Dubai during the tournament.

Wayne Masters, the team's coach, sees the team staying together as being a major step forward in offering women's rugby players in the Gulf a better package. He is determined to nurture an environment where players are keen to be selected and proud to play for the Arabian Gulf.

Richard Harris, the team manager, stressed how vital the support from these two companies will be for the success of the team - not only at The Dubai Sevens 2006, but also as the season progresses and the team travel to the Hong Kong Sevens, LG Tournament in Tunisia and the Asian Championships, scheduled to be held in Doha in 2007.