The UAE Rugby Federation have today announced the schedule for this week’s first ever UAE U18 Girl’s Rugby International Sevens Tournament which is to be held at local Dubai rugby ground – Sports City.

Within the last few days, the UAE Rugby U18 Girls have been finishing off their training preparations with the New Zealand All Black Ferns. Yalla Rugby were invited along to the interactive training session with the girls which took place at the prestigious – Repton School on Saturday.

The girls were also joined by the Apollo Perelini Rugby Skills Academy U18 Girls squad, the brainchild of founder and former international rugby union and rugby league professional, Apollo Perelini.

Inaugural Rugby U18 Girl’s International Sevens Tournament

Hong Kong, India, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan will be joined by a historic, first-ever all-Emirati UAE side, who will compete in the 5-round tournament on November 30th and December 1st, at Dubai Sports City (Dubai), kicking off at 13:30.

“This tournament is a dream come true for UAE Rugby”

“This tournament is a dream come true for UAE Rugby” said Qais Al Dhalai, Secretary General of Asia Rugby and Secretary General of the UAE Rugby Federation. “We are incredibly proud to be fielding an all-Emirati girl’s sevens team, and we are very excited with the possibilities that lay ahead for our girls. We are especially thrilled to have our newly elected Chairman, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum Al Juma Maktoum, attend the players final training session (on Monday) ahead of Wednesday’s start.”

Al Dhalai went on to say “Also, this is one Asia Rugby’s KPIs, to have structured competitions for men’s and women’s U18 and Taiwan 7’s Men’s (which was held in Aug 2016 with 6 Asian Teams). And now UAE has initiated the equal step to have a women’s U18 7s, we are delighted it’s happening now – in following years they won’t only be sanctioned by Asia Rugby but run and organised by Asia Rugby”

This year’s Dubai Sevens is especially exciting for UAE Rugby as it will see the final of the UAE Rugby U18 Girl’s Sevens Tournament played on Friday afternoon at the Sevens.

“UAE Rugby is very committed to the Olympic value of gender inclusion”

UAE Rugby Board Member Fawzia Mohammed Faridoon added “UAE Rugby is very committed to the Olympic value of gender inclusion. Our board has embraced the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak – wife of the late His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – and Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum ‎- the wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – of empowering UAE’s females in every aspect of life today. Through this vision we have set a very ambitious goal to have a ratio of 40% female players against 60% male players within the next five years.”