Dubai: Integrating touch rugby into local schools is the answer to the UAE’s sevens and 15s player shortage, according to touch rugby stars Dylan Hennessey and Peter Walters.
Since rugby sevens was made an Olympic sport, debuting at Rio 2016, the UAE Rugby Federation has been on a push to develop more Emirati players, because only nationals can represent the team.
However, not only is the local potential player pool here limited, but newcomers may also be put off with the sudden culture shock of contact sevens.
That is where non-contact mixed-sex touch rugby could form a smoother, less painful introduction, according to Hennessey and Walters, who will be in Dubai for the third Middle East Touch Rugby Championships at the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club on October 21.
“I strongly believe the greater number of children we can get interested and involved at a grassroots level, the more potential there is to end up with more rugby league and union players,” said Australian touch rugby star Hennessey. “If I teach 100 kids in school, I would estimate that around 30 of them would continue to play touch, 30 would show interest in full contact rugby and 30 would go back to their preferred sport, i.e. football.”
New Zealand’s Peter Walters, added: “Touch is the perfect pathway into sevens and this has been proven by the Australian and New Zealand women’s teams at the Olympics.
“Most of the players on both teams [Australia won gold, New Zealand silver] had a huge background in touch and the skill sets needed are applicable to both sports; catch and pass, running, evasion, footwork, speed, stamina, power, agility, communicating on the run, support lines and working off the ball.”
Hennessey added that the game also had health and social benefits.
“What’s unique about touch, and one of the main reasons I love the game so much, is how absolutely anybody can play, regardless of age, sex or ability. It brings people together from all walks of life to get fit and have fun. I’m thrilled that the game is taking off in the UAE and I’m really looking forward to playing with touch enthusiasts in the Middle East Touch Championships next week.”
Over 36 teams will compete in men’s, women’s, mixed and veteran categories from across the region and for the first time there will also be a youth tournament for Under-9s, Under-12s and Under-14s.
To register visit MiddleEastTouchChamps.me or email victoria@corporateaffair-me.com — or to sponsor email jane@corporateaffair-me.com.
