It seems that Duplays have hardly had a rest since the beginning of the year if you look at their Abu Dhabi website recently.
New football, netball and squash tournaments were introduced, and now they will hold another one – touch rugby.
‘Give us a Try F.I.T (Federation of International Touch)’ – the exact title of Abu Dhabi’s new league is in partnership with UAE Touch, the National Association and governing body for the sport of touch football in all of the United Arab Emirates.
Touch rugby, known in some countries as touch football, originated in Australia and New Zealand has rapidly expanded around the world with more than 60 different countries currently playing the game.
Touch is a unique game suited to all ability and fitness levels. It’s fast, minimal-contact and fun to play and easy to learn. Duplays’ league will be played under F.I.T rules, which are the only rules recognised by the world governing body for touch rugby.
The eight-week league runs from February 12 to April 2, and if you’re interested in finding out about more about the sport or keen to participate then make your way to Gems American Academy today at 19:00 where touch rugby coaches and referees will be holding a meeting to discuss the basics of the game.
Each league will have eight teams and will play two 25-minute matches each week (between 19:00 and 21:00).
During the regular season, teams will play each other twice. In the last week of the league, the Duplays Cup will be up for grabs for the top four teams, while the bottom four sides will compete for the Duplays plate.
Entry fee is Dh400 for an individual while its Dh2,500 for teams. If you’re interested in taking part visit Duplays Abu Dhabi website for information on registration.
There are a few things you will need to be aware of. Preference will be given to teams that have paid in full. Every single player must sign up for their team not just team captains and dinner vouchers (at one of the company’s partner restaurants for winners) will be issued to registered players only.
Ray Gibson, director for operations at Duplays Abu Dhabi, says many people can enjoy playing this minimal-contact sport.
“It’s always been a popular sport around the world,” says Gibson. “We are keen to work with UAE Touch to promote this format as a separate sport from rugby.
“UAE Touch are very keen to promote this discipline as a sport. It has a lot of youth players as well as adults. We want to help people play different sports in general and we want to play our part in promoting Touch sport in UAE. It’s a great game and the sport is very easy to play.”
The aim of winning the game is very simple. Just as in rugby, whichever team scores the most tries gains one point. As with the majority of the sport, the team with the most number of points wins the game.
Tackling is done in the form of just touching the opponent who has possession of the ball. When a touch is made play is stopped. These are just some of the basics, and full rules of the game can be found on the Duplays Abu Dhabi website.
Players are advised to wear boots with moulded studs or trainers.
What: Give Us a Try F.I.T (touch rugby league)
When: February 12 to April 2
Where: Gems American Academy, Abu Dhabi
Contact: For more information or registration visit www.duplaysabudhabi.playpass.com
