The Dubai Hurricanes have announced that Josh Ives will be joining the Premiership club from the start of the 2021-22 season.

The former KnightsEagles coach and UAE International hooker, is set to join the staff at the Canes as both senior Mens and youth Colts rugby Coach.

Ives brings a wealth of Gulf Rugby experience as a player and coach, that includes; a previous term at the Hurricanes, Head of Rugby and Development at Dubai Knights Eagles RFC, Lead Coach at Apollo Perelini Rugby Skills Academy, UAE National Rugby player and coach of U19 UAE National team and is the current Head of Rugby at Repton School in Dubai.

Director of Rugby at Dubai Hurricanes – Matthew Pewtner

Hurricanes Director of Rugby, Matthew Pewtner said:

“Josh is spoken of with the highest level of respect among rugby coaches in the UAE. He will bring a fresh perspective to the Hurricanes, which is always good for a team that are constantly looking for ways to improve. I’m very excited to work and coach alongside him and to see what we can achieve in the upcoming 2021/22 Gulf Rugby season.”

Josh Ives had this to say when we asked him how he plans on adapting to working with one of the oldest Premiership teams, after his previous involvement with one of the newest clubs:

“Hurricanes is a club I’m very familiar with having played there for 3 seasons. I’ve seen the club make huge strides on and off the field over the last 5 years. I’m incredibly excited to have this opportunity to join back with the rugby club. As for adapting to an older club, rugby’s rugby at the end of the day, whether you play in Alaska or in the jungle of Ipoh – It’s the sport we love and it’s the same wherever. What excites me most is the talent of players they have across all squads, that will only push me to be a better coach and to top it off, a coaching team of Pewts and Pat, both incredibly talented coaches with an amazing vision that I’ve completely bought in to.”

Ives will begin his new post at the Dubai Sevens based club, during summer pre season months of 2021.