The HSBC Mini/Youth Rugby Festival, the largest of its kind in the region, was co-hosted again for the eleventh year running by the Exiles and Hurricanes, who welcomed over 240 teams from around the Gulf as they descended onto all 8 of the pitches at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai last weekend.

The grass roots tournament welcomed over 3,500 young male and female players from under 5 to under 19 years of age, sporting their skills over the two day event. Presenting medals and trophies to all winners during the cause of the weekend, were HSBC Sports ambassador, former international player of the year and Springbok legend, Bryan Habana, Welsh international and British & Irish Lions legend, Mike Phillips along with former dual-code international player, Apollo Perelini and President of Asia Rugby, Qais Al Dhalai. Tom Urquhart from Dubai 103.8 radio station kept the many rugby fans entertained with music and interviews in-between announcing the winners for each category.