Tim Newnham, chairman of Doha Rugby Club (DRFC), recently shared insights into the club’s impressive development and the future of rugby in Qatar.

As DRFC celebrates its 50th anniversary, it has grown into the largest rugby organisation in Qatar and the broader West Asia region. With teams spanning from under-18s to senior men’s and women’s squads, the club plays a crucial role in nurturing the sport’s growth and expanding its reach within the country.

Established by expats working in Qatar’s oil industry, Doha RFC has been transformed from a small, informal gathering into a fully structured club with international influence. Newnham recalled the club’s simple beginnings when a group of oil workers would meet at the beach to play rugby. Over time, they grew into an official club and eventually became the rugby club it is today.

DRFC has provided a community for players from various nationalities, making it a melting pot of cultures. “We have players from all over the world Arabs, Southern Hemisphere nations like Australia and South Africa, as well as Europeans from the UK, Spain, and beyond,” Newnham explains.

“She is our gold standard of what we aim to achieve in the future”

The club’s history is rich with achievements, including several alumni who have gone on to play professional rugby or represent their countries. One of the standout former players is Erin King, who recently represented Ireland in the Olympic Games. “She is our gold standard of what we aim to achieve in the future,” said Newnham.

‘People are constantly coming and going’

One of the most significant challenges Doha and other clubs in Qatar face is the transient nature of the expat population. As Newnham points out, many players come to Qatar for work and only stay for a few years before moving on, making it difficult to build long-term consistency in teams. “It’s tough to increase participation levels when people are constantly coming and going,” he said.

One area of growth for DRFC has been women’s rugby. The women’s team has around 30 registered players and frequently competes in sevens tournaments across the region, including the annual Dubai Rugby Sevens. However, there are still challenges in fielding a full XVs squad due to the limited number of women’s teams in Qatar. The club often has to travel abroad to find competition, and the club has forged ties with teams in the UAE to ensure its players get the necessary match experience.

“Women’s rugby is slowly growing here, just not as fast as we would like”

“Women’s rugby is slowly growing here, just not as fast as we would like,” Newnham admitted. He emphasised the importance of increasing the exposure and development of women’s rugby, noting that DRFC regularly sends its women’s team to compete in the UAE’s sevens series to provide more opportunities for competitive play.

‘Hopeful for some significant improvements’

After several years away from the competition due to political and logistical challenges, Doha made a return to the West Asia Rugby League last season. The transition, however, wasn’t easy. “It was quite a shock going back into West Asia. The level of competition was much higher than we remembered,” Newnham reflected.

Despite these challenges, Newnham is hopeful about the future of the club’s men’s rugby team, particularly with the arrival of a new head coach. “Our pre-season preparations have been intense, and we’re hopeful for some significant improvements this season,” he said. He acknowledged the strength of the league, citing Bahrain and the teams from the UAE as formidable opponents, with Bahrain having reached four consecutive finals and winning three of them.

The future of Doha Rugby is full of ambitious plans. A key focus for Newnham and his team is the development of a new clubhouse and rugby facility. “We used to have our own facility, but we had to close it during COVID. Now we’re finalising government paperwork for a new one,” he shared. The new facility will provide a financial boost to the club, allowing it to bring in professional coaches and significantly enhance grassroots rugby development.

Newnham is also keen on expanding the club’s influence beyond Qatar. The club is working to establish an annual “Rugby Week” in Doha, which would include coaching camps, social events, and a marquee match between ex-professional players and local teams. The event aims to increase rugby’s visibility in the region and attract international talent.

‘I don’t know how many people would still play’

As Doha Rugby Club celebrates its 50th anniversary, the club is poised to play a leading role in the continued development of rugby in Qatar and the wider Gulf region. The Qatar Rugby Federation has been taking steps to elevate the sport, and there are even rumours of Qatar bidding to host the Rugby Nations Cup.

“There is no rugby without the support”

Newnham expressed his gratitude to the fans, players, and supporters who have been part of the club’s journey. “There is no rugby without the support. If we were playing every week and nobody came to watch, I don’t know how many people would still play. So, thank you to everyone for keeping this sport alive,” he said.

As Doha RFC enters its next chapter, one thing is certain: the club will continue to strive for excellence both on and off the field, ensuring that rugby in Qatar has a bright and promising future.