Rugby legend Mike Phillips hopes to unearth new talent at Dubai Sports World

Nick Watkins - Writer 09:20 22/05/2018
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  • Big ambition: Mike Phillips' rugby academy

    The 6ft 3in figure standing among a group of 11-year-olds isn’t exactly hard to spot as he demonstrates how to properly run with a rugby ball.

    Clutching the ball under their arms, the children run from one side of the pitch to the other as part of the training at the revamped Dubai Sports World – under the watch of a Wales and Lions legend.

    Swapping the Valleys for the sandpit is Mike Phillips, who has set up a coaching academy in Dubai to find the next generation of rugby stars, in a place that he thinks goes under the radar for talent.

    “There’s a lot of talent in Dubai, which sometimes goes unnoticed,” says Phillips, speaking exclusively to Sport360. “I’ve had a lot of parents come up to me and ask for their kids to be pushed through. Dads send me videos of their little ones and there is some real talent here, it’s really an untapped resource.

    “We want to be able to give kids the opportunity to play professional rugby and that getting some of them a professional contract would be the glamorous thing for us to do. Some of the kids weren’t even aware of the sport a few months ago so it’s just as rewarding to see them learning new skills, while getting fit and healthy too.”

    The former scrum-half has joined forces with ‘Just Play’, a sports activity provider, to introduce kids to rugby and give them the chance to learn from an ex-pro for the first time.

    “By using my 15 years’ experience playing rugby at the highest level I saw a chance to build an academy and bring the sport to Dubai. I’m trying to add my value in any way I can as it’s a growing sport. A lot of kids here have never heard of rugby so it’s good to get them involved in the game.”

    The 35-year-old, who moved to Dubai with his wife last August, is very settled here and is already making the most of the new facilities provided at the Dubai Sports World venue.

    Rugby is just one of sports on offer at the summer venue, which also includes three football pitches, eight basketball courts, badminton courts, a running track, a gym and a Ninja Warrior course, to name but a few.
    Located at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Sports World features 14 sports and 10 professional academies and runs for 16 weeks until September 8.

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