With years of experience in the game, Alex Cook is leading the UAE womens team as they currently compete in the Asia Rugby Sevens Series, facing off against some of the toughest national teams in the region.

Cook’s began her rugby when she was just 16, thanks to the encouragement of her PE teacher. What started as a simple introduction quickly developed into a lifelong passion. Cook’s skill and dedication saw her rise through the ranks, playing for the England Under-20 squad and prestigious UK clubs like Bath Women and Clifton (now Bristol Bears).

These early experiences laid a solid foundation for her rugby career.

In 2013, Cook made the move to Dubai, where she joined the Dubai Hurricanes, one of the region’s top rugby clubs. She has been an integral part of the team ever since, helping them grow in strength and performance. Her leadership qualities and rugby expertise were soon recognised, and she was named captain of the UAE Women’s Sevens team.

‘It’s important to see female coaches’

Currently, Cook and the UAE Women’s Sevens team are competing in the Asia Rugby Sevens Series, where they face powerhouse national teams like Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan. This tournament is a significant challenge for the UAE squad, as they go up against more experienced and professional teams. Japan, for instance, has Olympic experience, while other teams like Hong Kong and Thailand have well-established rugby programs.

Despite being a relatively young team in comparison, the UAE Women’s Sevens team, under Cook’s leadership, is determined to make their mark in the series. The competition provides invaluable experience, pushing the players to improve and showcasing their ability to compete at a high level. The team is fully supported by the UAE Rugby Federation, which ensures they have the resources needed to compete.

Cook’s leadership extends beyond the rugby pitch. In addition to her playing career, she has been involved in rugby media, managing content for the Dubai Sevens tournament and providing commentary for matches. Her role in promoting rugby through various media platforms is vital to growing the sport, particularly for women in the UAE.

Moreover, Cook is passionate about giving back to the sport by coaching the UAE U18 women’s team. She believes in the importance of female role models in rugby, both as players and coaches, and works to inspire the next generation of athletes.

“It’s important to see female coaches who are also still playing at a high level. It gives young girls someone to look up to and shows them what’s possible,” says Cook.

‘We know what we need to work on’

Competing in the Asia Rugby Sevens Series is no easy feat. The UAE team, consisting of amateur players who juggle full-time jobs and training, is up against full-time professional teams. However, Cook and her teammates remain optimistic and focused on improvement. In their recent tournament, the UAE team finished sixth out of eight teams, which they consider a significant achievement given the level of competition.

“We went into the series not knowing exactly what to expect, but now that we’ve played against teams like Japan and Kazakhstan, we know what we need to work on,” Cook reflects.

“It’s all about learning and growing with each game.”

Cook emphasises that the team’s mindset is key to their progress.

“We could make excuses about not being professional or having as much experience as the other teams, but that’s not our mindset. We’re here to represent the UAE and to do our best. We’re playing rugby with our friends in a new country, and that’s something special.”

As the Asia Rugby Sevens Series continues, Alex Cook and the UAE Women’s Sevens team are looking ahead to further competitions, determined to keep improving and solidifying their place in the series. With each match, they gain valuable experience that will help them compete at an even higher level in the future.