Led by founder Maximilian Lewis-Palmer or Max as his teammates call him, Jumeirah Old Boys started out as an alumni team for former JESS students in 2019, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning to disrupt sports worldwide.

“It was frustrating; we couldn’t compete that first year, but we used the time to get organised,” he recalls.

Since then, they’ve steadily grown, with players ranging in age and experience.

“We’ve had siblings, including my own brother, play together for the first time, which has been really special.”

This year marks their fourth season, and with over 40 players having worn the Jumeirah Old Boys jersey, the team is as much a family reunion as it is a rugby squad.

A challenge for Jumeirah Old Boys has been their scattered locations; alumni live across various countries, making regular team practices almost impossible. But Lewis-Palmer didn’t let that stop them. This year, he introduced a virtual 12-week training program, complete with weekly fitness challenges tracked via Strava.

“The goal was to keep everyone motivated, fit, and connected, even from afar,” he explained.

From sprints to distance runs, the program brings a competitive edge, keeping spirits high as players vie for the ‘fittest’ and ‘most improved’ titles.

‘Even more reason to push hard’

This year’s tournament has a profound meaning for the team. The players are dedicating their games to their friend Rose, a former JESS student recently diagnosed with a stomach cancer called adenocarcinoma. To honor her, the team will wear jerseys featuring a specially designed rose emblem, symbolising their support and solidarity.

While the Old Boys aren’t officially affiliated with a specific charity, Lewis-Palmer intends to donate any funds raised from t-shirt sales to a cause associated with Rose.

“We want to play for something bigger than ourselves this year. It gives us even more reason to push hard on the field”

‘A real wake-up call’

This year’s Dubai Sevens, the Old Boys welcome a new addition to their coaching staff, former JESS rugby coach Ben Horton.

“We used to call him ‘Mr. Horton,’ but now he’s just ‘Ben,’ one of the boys,” Lewis-Palmer laughed.

Having a coach who understands their shared history has been invaluable. With Ben handling the coaching duties, Lewis-Palmer can focus on his role as a player while still managing the team’s logistics.

The sense of community extends off the pitch, too. Another alumnus has taken on social media duties, handling the Instagram page to share behind-the-scenes moments and match updates, keeping their far-flung supporters connected.

The team will compete in the International Social division this year, which, as Lewis-Palmer explains, offers a mix of abilities.

“In Dubai Sevens, you never know what you’re up against. Our first game last year was against Speranza 22, one of the toughest teams out there. It was a real wake-up call.”

The Jumeirah Old Boys have steadily competed, reaching the bowl final last year, and hope to bring home some silverware this time.

“We know it’s ambitious, but we’re here to compete. Game by game, we’ll do our best to make it happen.”

‘It’s a numbers game’

Lewis-Palmer envisions potential expansion, possibly into other sports like netball, or even a girls’ rugby team.

“There’s definitely interest, but it’s a numbers game. We’re always exploring ways to include more alumni and build our community.”

For now, however, the focus remains on the Dubai Sevens. Lewis-Palmer is proud to see how far the team has come and looks forward to another year of Dubai 7s action and representing the JESS alumni on the field.

“We’re here to play hard, have fun, and support each other in every way we can.”