Latest installment of BSAK Rugby Festival proves a huge hit once again

Matt Jones - Editor 10:04 16/11/2015
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  • Eyes on the prize: DESC’s Mitch Kennedy (c) chases down the ball.

    The BSAK Rugby Festival has now established itself as a firm favourite on the UAE sporting calendar, according to Ed Lewsey.

    The tournament organiser and head of rugby at the British School Al Khubairat was delighted with the sixth staging of the annual tournament, which is among the leading youth rugby festivals held in the Emirates.

    Abu Dhabi and Dubai teams shared the accolades at this year’s festival, held in the capital over the weekend. More than 80 teams participated in the two-day tournament, which was played at both BSAK as well as Zayed Sports City.

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    Teams competed in the Under-11, 12, 14 16 and 19 age groups in the boys section, as well as the U-14 and U-19 girls sections.

    The host school came away with wins in two of the main Cup finals, winning the boys’ U-16 and U-19 trophies, while they also won both Plate finals in the girl’s U-14 and U-19 tournaments.

    BSAK also claimed honours in the U-11’s Plate final. It was also a strong showing from Dubai English Speaking College who won three Cup finals in all, claiming the U-12s, U-14s and U-16’s boys titles.

    Dubai English Speaking School won the U-11s boys title while the other Cup competition, the U-14s girl’s event, was won by Abu Dhabi’s Al Yasmina School.

    U-12 Plate winners were Abu Dhabi French while the U-14, U-16 and U-19 awards went to Jumeirah College, Repton School and Dubai College respectively.

    DESS’ Aaron Ferguson was named U-11 boys’ player of the tournament, the U-12 accolade going to DESC’s Archie McKibben.

    Dubai College’s Sean O’Gorman won the U-14 award, the U-16s best player was Tom Akauola of DESC while BSAK’s Fraser March picked up the U-19 award.

    Both player of the tournament awards in the girl’s sections were from the hosts, Sara Henderson picking up the honour for the U-14s and Georgia Barber for the U-19s.

    For Lewsey, it’s a lot of work during his weekend, but he’s not complaining.

    “It’s getting quite a big and busy tournament and it’s great to see all the kids playing,” he said. 

    “It’s in its sixth year now and it’s continuing to grow, now firmly established on the UAE sporting calendar, providing an opportunity for kids in the area to play.

    “There’s a high standard of rugby on display but there’s also kids trying rugby for the first time, so there’s room for everyone. As for BSAK, we didn’t get to any of the finals in the lower age groups but I was delighted with our U-19 boys and girls who both won the Cup.”

    DESC director of rugby Robin Giles said he was proud of his sides’ achievements, as well as seeing his players maintaining the core values of rugby at the centre of the DESC coaching and playing philosophy; sportsmanship, teamwork, enjoyment, respect and discipline.  

    Scrum down: Action from the game between Abu Dhabi French and DESC U-12s.

    “I was very proud to see all of the boys representing DESS and DESC demonstrate these values,” said Giles.

    “Many players performed extremely well, however no player would have been able to perform without the team-mates around them.

    “We have scratched the surface of what the players can achieve and I have been delighted to see the boys around school excited about the next challenge and ready to push themselves even harder and aim even higher.”

    DESS director of sport Max Lohe reserved special mention for his U-11 winning boys team, who went undefeated through the tournament, only conceding 10 points in five games.

    “It was a brilliant tournament with a great atmosphere and some fantastic rugby being played,” he said.

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