Sign your kids up to Abu Dhabi Saracens’ ‘Little Ruckers’ youth programme

[email protected] 08:16 07/10/2014
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  • Fast feet: Little Ruckers places an emphasis on fun and the development of basic rugby skills.

    There’s nothing not to love at Little Ruckers – Abu Dhabi Saracens’ youth development programme tailor-made for enjoyment and designed to get children excited about rugby.

    Held twice a week, on Monday and Wednesday, at Al Ghazal Golf Course, for ages between Under-3s and Under-7s, Saracens want to see as many rugby-mad children as possible.

    Little Ruckers’ head coach is Will Walker, a PE teacher and self-confessed big kid himself.

    “The aim is not just to get children into rugby, it’s about fun, engaging activities where they can learn communications skills, teamwork, and about their bodies, for example speed, agility, quickness and spatial awareness,” he said.

    “As a PE teacher, I know it’s important they learn these skills early on. Hopefully, one day, they could be playing for our juniors, academy, seniors or maybe even starting for Saracens over in the UK, but even if they leave here aged six and take away the skills they’ve learned, that’s job done for me."

    Saracens were formed in 2011 from the remnants of Das Island rugby team with the firsts now playing in the UAE Premiership and the Gulf Top Six.

    Walker added: “Our goal is to keep as many of them on and playing at Sarries, as we class ourselves as a Saracens family, so aged two to 102 we’d love to have them here.”

    Steve Hamilton is a new arrival in the Middle East and has been brought on board at Sarries to help to spread the good word about Little Ruckers.

    Hamilton, 26, has a substantial background in promoting and developing grassroots rugby and played for Rotherham Titans, of the RFU Championship, was also at London Wasps’ academy, while he started his coaching career at Blackheath, near London.

    He said: “Little Ruckers is about mass participation, any gender, any ability and just trying to get kids to enjoy the sport, having fun with friends and getting used to holding and throwing the ball. Getting them out instead of sitting behind the computer.”

    Hamilton admits his “big plan” is to spark local interest, in tandem with the thriving expat community in the capital.

    He added: “There’s a huge expat community here and the local community are beginning to take to rugby too. Working heavily with Emiratis is a huge focus for us. Five or 10 years down the line, I hope kids in Abu Dhabi won’t need to go to the UK, Europe or South Africa to pursue professional sport, the standard of rugby here will mean they’ll have the academies and first 15s that allow for a sporting career to be completely feasible.”

    It’s not just about Saracens, but putting Abu Dhabi rugby on the map too, and that means establishing a healthy rivalry with city rivals Harlequins. Hamilton added: “They’ve maybe been waiting for Sarries to pick up and get to the level we need to be at and we plan on getting there very rapidly and give them a match, at any age group, in the very near future.”

    Parent Emma Arkle is already sold on Little Ruckers. Daughter Evie, five, and son Ralph, four, have been attending training since January. She said: “The kids have really loved it. It’s nice to see them enjoying themselves, meeting new children and learning a new sport.

    “If they hadn’t enjoyed it I would have stopped them coming, but there’s nothing not to love here at Little Ruckers.”

    What: Abu Dhabi Saracens’ Little Ruckers
    Where: Al Ghazal Golf Club
    When: Mondays and Wednesdays, 17:30-18:30.
    Cost: Dh750 per 10-week term
    Contact: Will Walker on 052 8049457 or visit www.abudhabisaracens.com

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