When the UAE Premiership season kicks off in September, there will be one interested observer better qualified than most to judge proceedings.
Dubai resident and England’s 2003 World Cup winning hooker Steve Thompson will be trawling through the grounds in the coming months as part of his role on the UAE Rugby Federation’s eight-member ‘Strategic Advisory Committee’.
The 36-year-old will be on hand to offer expertise from a career spent competing professionally at the highest level.
We caught up with Thompson to discuss the UAERF’s ambitious plans to continue the sport’s rapid development in the Emirates, his beliefs on what the UAE national team can achieve and how he is now tackling the business world.
Could you tell me about your new role with the UAERF and how it came about?
After being invited to the group in February, it is great to have this small role now which will hopefully develop into something bigger when my children get older.
The committee contains guys who have been in the region for a long time, love rugby and have good business backgrounds. We provide collective ideas [to the UAERF and the Ministry of Youth and Sport], with myself coming along as a rugby specialist.
These include how rugby should be run in the UAE, what tournaments we should be entering, how can we get more Emiratis into the game and how can we connect with non- Emiratis? It is about setting everything up correctly, and getting the correct foundations as it is still such a young game out here.
The UAE have been entered as wildcards into September’s Asian Games. How valuable is the experience of playing international sport at that level?:
It is very important, you want to be playing at the best level. The UAE have got to be there, as we have such a big rugby community here.
The process of competing at a higher level is similar to when you are a kid and you start playing against adults.
You might face a really tough game, but it shows you where you want to be. It gives guidance as you can be in a bubble just playing in the UAE. That was the case once with Japan, and now they are playing in World Cups.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge rugby faces in the UAE?
In my opinion, it is bringing cultures together.
It is a challenge, but when it comes together it is an absolute pleasure to see it.
That is what I see rugby doing. It is about showing the Emiratis the sport is not about big men knocking lumps out of each other. It is a great social game, which taught me so much in life which I now use outside of rugby.
The Shaheen play a great deal of sevens rugby. Does seven-a-side rugby provide the perfect introduction to the sport?
Knowing you can win a medal at the Olympics or Commonwealth Games in the future for rugby sevens opens up the sport again. We have seen with Russia and the United States what rugby sevens can do.
It is very different to 15-a-side, but it is a great way to get people into the game.
The Dubai Sevens is the best tournament in the world. We should not shy away from sevens, it is an exciting game which is the best way to get a lot of Emiratis into the sport.
Do you think you could ever be tempted into taking on a regular position with a UAE Premiership club?
As of yet, no. Perhaps at international level, as it is not as regular a commitment.
I have made a life plan with Mick Todd at 2B Limitless, who is a motivational speaker. I have refocused my life to concentrate on my family and business career, and I do not have the time at the moment for something where I would be involved three nights a week.
That could change in the future. But at the moment, I am enjoying dipping in and out with my part-time role with the UAERF.
I had so many good years playing rugby, and I feel I have to give back. It is only in a small way at the moment.
What is life like for you now you are no longer a professional sportsman?
I work with a joinery company called Knightswood in business development and with an operations company called Revive.
I am really enjoying it. It is a massive eye-opener for me into a new way of life. I am really enjoying the opportunity.
Do you think World Cup qualification is a realistic goal down the line for the UAE?
It is a goal, but it will be very hard in the short term when you look at the nations who have already missed out for next year’s event.
You have got to have an end goal, but you must be realistic.
Here, the school system could provide players who can go off to play at a professional level in other countries.
Rugby sevens is now an Olympic sport. We are here to get a medal one day, and in the long-term get into the World Cup.
