The Ecole Française de Rugby in Abu Dhabi, commonly known as the Abu Dhabi French, have been a key part of the UAE rugby community for nearly 20 years.

With their 20th anniversary coming up next year, new chairman Patrice Calvet, who recently took over leadership, is focused on guiding the club to new heights. Having been involved with the club for over a decade, Calvet is excited about its future and the plans the club have in place.

‘More girls than any other club’

Founded in 2005, Abu Dhabi French is known for its inclusive environment, especially for girls. Impressively, about 50% of the club’s players are female, making it one of the most balanced rugby clubs in the UAE. From the youngest age groups to under-18 teams, girls play a big role in the club’s success.

“We’re proud that half of our players are girls. During competitions, our teams often have more girls than any other club in the Emirates,” Calvet shared.

The club also offers a women’s touch rugby section, where over 30 mothers participate every Monday while their children train. “It’s a great way to get the whole family involved in rugby,” he added.

The club’s youth teams have had an impressive track record, especially the under-16 girls, who dominated last season by winning nearly all their games. They finished first in their league but unfortunately lost the final match in the UAE Championship.

“We had a great year with our under-16 girls. They were outstanding, winning nearly everything, and it was amazing to see them play at such a high level,” said Calvet.

‘Learn from some of the best’

The Abu Dhabi French are focused on maintaining their growth and competing internationally. The club currently has around 150 registered players and expects to reach 200 by the end of the current season. They’re also gearing up for international competitions, including the prestigious Monaco tournament and the Dubai Sevens.

“Our goal is to keep growing and send more teams to international tournaments,” Calvet explained. The club also benefits from its partnership with Stade Toulousain, one of Europe’s top rugby clubs. This partnership brings French coaches to Abu Dhabi twice a year to help train the players and share their expertise.

“The partnership with Stade Toulousain is a huge advantage. It helps us keep our standards high and gives our kids a fantastic opportunity to learn from some of the best,” said Calvet.

‘For the love of the game’

As the only French rugby club in the UAE, the Abu Dhabi French faces some unique challenges. Being a “French” club naturally attracts French-speaking families, but it can sometimes discourage non-French speakers from joining.

“People sometimes think we only speak French, but that’s not true,”

“People sometimes think we only speak French, but that’s not true,” Calvet clarified. “We welcome everyone, and we have players from many different backgrounds. Our coaches speak both French and English.”

Despite this misconception, the club continues to attract players from a variety of countries, including the U.S. and South Africa, drawn to the club’s friendly atmosphere and focus on building a strong rugby community.

The club is run entirely by volunteers, including its coaches, who are all former rugby players. These volunteers receive regular training to meet the UAE Rugby Federation’s (UIRF) coaching requirements, ensuring they have the necessary skills to teach and manage the teams safely.

“Our coaches are passionate volunteers who do it for the love of the game,” said Calvet. “We make sure they’re fully trained so they can offer the best experience for the kids.”

‘Something special for our 20th’

Next year marks the club’s 20th anniversary, and they are planning a special celebration to mark this milestone. Calvet hinted at a big gala event that will showcase the club’s history and achievements over the past two decades, with plenty of surprises in store.

“We’re working on something special for our 20th anniversary. It’ll be a great chance to celebrate how far we’ve come and recognise the hard work of everyone involved. Rugby is all about respect, teamwork, and fun, and that’s exactly what we want for our club.” Calvet said.