Wales and British Lions legend Mike Phillips is to hold a series of rugby camps in Dubai.
Phillips, the lead coach of the Mike Phillips Rugby Academy, has been one of the most recognisable faces in world rugby for more than a decade and is now passing on his knowledge to the younger generation.
The scrum-half has joined forces with Dubai-based Just Play to form the academy and is also drawing on the experience of Emlyn Jones, a coach with more than 25 years of experience in the game.
Sessions focus on children having fun and enjoying themselves while practicing drills that Phillips has selected from his days playing professionally.
Now the team is holding three sessions for children aged 7-14 at Emirates International School in Jumeirah.
The three-hour sessions will put children through their paces, while maintaining a fun-filled environment – the mantra Phillips wants to apply to all his coaching.
“It’s just about having fun really,” Phillips said. “I want to see kids going out there and expressing themselves. It’s a great way to stay healthy, make new friends and learn some of the values of rugby that can be so important in a child’s development.
“No matter where in the world you go there is always respect between players and between fans, and it’s great to be part of that, and those are values we will be trying to get across along with trying to help develop the game here in the UAE.”
The camps will be for both boys and girls, as one of the key things for the 99-times capped international is trying the develop the female game in the country.
“In recent years we have seen more females getting involved in the game, not just within the UAE but globally, with a thriving women’s professional game and a growing female development programme. This is great for the future of the sport and something we are very keen to encourage.”
Having set up the Academy in January, Phillips has been delighted with the reaction from children and parents alike and is looking forward to developing this further.
“It’s amazing to think we have only really been up and running a couple of months,” he said. “The children have been fantastic, I am really hands on and have a lot of fun working with them. The parents have been great too – they know how rugby can play a huge part in a child’s development and have been really supportive.”
What: The Mike Phillips Academy Spring Camp
Where: Emirates International School, Jumeirah
When: April, 1, 3 and 5. 8am – 11am
Price: AED 150 for one session, AED 400 for all three
Contact: To register email [email protected] or call 04 348 3869
