Life will be very different for UAE Premiership new boys Al Ain Amblers this season, both on and off the field.
The Garden City club enjoyed the most successful season in its 31-year history by winning the 2014-15 UAE Conference, finishing in style by going through the campaign unbeaten.
This year the Amblers join the exalted company of UAE heavyweights Dubai Hurricanes, Dubai Exiles, Jebel Ali Dragons, as well as Premiership champions Abu Dhabi Harlequins and West Asia champions Abu Dhabi Saracens.
Ahead of their first foray into the top-tier, there has been sweeping changes made behind the scenes, with new director of rugby Rocco De Bruyn the only committee member remaining from last year.
De Bruyn has already been busy in his new role, overseeing the appointment of new first team coach Andrew Rouvi, who replaces interim head coach Keleto Dyer who had briefly stepped into the void left by the outgoing Peter Aki.
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David Tito-Nekeare will be in charge of the club’s second team, Chris Ebbinkhuysen is the new youth team manager and Sean Emmett has replaced Andre Fourie as club chairman. The hugely popular Manu Vilsoni, meanwhile, remains as women's team coach.
The club’s makeover behind the scenes continues with work ongoing on an additional swimming pool due to be completed soon, while the creation of two additional rugby pitches are set to be completed early in the season.
With a third team also set to play in the new third tier Community Shield, the club is expecting numbers for senior men’s players to get close to 100. The woman's team is also expected to grow this year as they go into their second full season.
Amblers’ Premiership debut will see them travel to Dubai Hurricanes on opening day, Friday, September 25.
