The Harlequins have announced the arrival of their new Director of Rugby as Niall Lear.

Lear has an extensive knowledge of delivering top level coaching to both mini and youth rugby players as well as at seniors club level. The new DOR has played at top level club rugby and as has earned international honour’s representing Scotland.

The newly appointed Director of Rugby, Niall Lear said:

“My goal heading over to Abu Dhabi is to make the club as successful as possible both on and off the field. There will be a mixture of on and off field sessions over the summer which will allow the players to get into the best possible shape moving forward into the season.”

Niall Lear takes charge of his first coaching session at 19:00 this evening (Tuesday 23rd July) at Zayed Sports City, aiming to start pre-season training as soon as possible, despite having only been in the UAE for less that 13 hours.

Lear hopes to bring his experience and knowledge to take Abu Dhabi Harlequins to the next level of their drive towards delivering rugby to its members. Previously based in Edinburgh, Lear was House Master and Rugby Coach for the internationally renowned Merchiston Castle School where he spent three years. Prior to this he was House Master and PE Teacher for eight years at the Queen Victoria Military School in Dunblane.

Club Chairman, Andrew Cole has welcomed the new arrival saying:

“Finding a suitable Director of Rugby for a club is not always an easy task and when you are based in the Middle East it certainly add’s to the challenge. Of course there are plenty of candidates out there but to find someone who fits the Club’s ethos and can coach at a Mini/Youth level as well as Senior Men’s and Women’s rugby narrow’s down the selection pool considerably. Myself and the committee have spent over three months vetting candidates and interviewing from as far a field as the USA, New Zealand, UK, Argentina, Europe and also locally within the United Arab Emirates.”

Lear’s achievements include representing Connacht Rugby A (2008- 2009), Loughborough University 1st XV Rugby (2000-2005), Scottish Schools Rugby (2000), Scotland U18 Rugby (2001), Scotland Sevens Training Squad (2006/07), Rosslyn Park 1st XV Squad (2005/07), Glasgow Hawks 1st XV Squad (2004/5), Scottish Schools Athletics and GB U23 Athletics Team.

Cole added:

“We have taken the selection process very seriously, ensuring we make the offer to the right candidate. I believe in Niall, we have found a well balanced and experienced DOR with the right personality for the role here at Abu Dhabi Harlequins. We will fully support him in his new role and try our utmost to provide the backup he needs to excel in his role, we wish him and his family well here in Abu Dhabi.”

Harlequins Club Captain – Mansour al Zaabi representing Yalla Rugby Select

One of Our Own – Quins Club Captain Mansour Al Zaabi

Another recent appointment at the Harlequins was for the first UAE National to be appointed as Club Captain – Mansour Al Zaabi.

Al Zaabi has been part of the Harlequins rugby club setup for over four years and was nominated for the role of Club Captain less than a month ago.

“It’s the club’s 50th anniversary next year it’s one of the oldest sporting clubs in the UAE and as part of its history it’s important to recognise the club’s achievements over recent years. Abu Dhabi should be proud of this successful sporting club, certainly one of the largest if not the largest sports clubs in the capital city. We’re the current UAE champions, past West Asia Champions and the most successful club in competitions over the past decade.”

Before joining the Quins the local Emirati had no previous background or any understanding about playing rugby. As well as being part of the Harlequins, Al Zaabi has also represented our very own Yalla Rugby Select squad in the 2018 Dubai Rugby Sevens.