UAE Rugby Federation (UAERF) officials have described the first ever Annual Awards as a landmark moment for local rugby and promised an even bigger event in 2015.
The country’s rugby fraternity came together for the inaugural gala evening at the Montgomerie Golf Club in Dubai last Thursday with players, coaches, referees and volunteers all recognised for their contribution to the game in the Emirates.
In all 13 awards were given out with Jebel Ali Dragons hooker Sean Crombie taking home the biggest of the night as he was named senior player of the year.
Guests were also treated to a Q&A as four very special guests, Jonah Lomu, Steve Thompson, Rory Lawson and Alain Rolland, took to the stage to share their experiences in the game.
While an auction helped raise money and awareness for the Bill McLaren Foundation.
As the name of the event suggests, the UAERF intend for the awards to be an annual occasion, and secretary general Qais Al Dhalai promised they would be back, bigger and better next year.
“It was a brilliant night. In fact we did not expect this success but with the support we got from all the sponsors and the affiliated clubs we have made it a brilliant night,” he said.
“We anticipated around 200 people attending but we got 300-400 people, the tickets all sold out so we can’t expect any better than that. Next year will be something new and we promise everybody that it will be another brilliant night next year.
“It will be bigger than this year and we will begin to plan early. We will be planning by the end of this year for next year.”
Al Dhalai added: “This was our first night and it was one of our objectives for this season. I thinkat my end this is one of our milestones, I consider it a milestone and I can’t expect better than that.”
UAERF chairman Mohammad Falaknaz was also impressed with the turnout in Dubai and said it highlighted the strength of the rugby community in the UAE.
“It went very well it was beyond our expectation,” he said.
“So many positive things will come from this, it shows how strong the community is and people like to keep in touch with their friends. We appreciate the guests who have come.
“It’s a big step actually. This is one of the stepping stones that we are trying to build for years of progress.”
Progress was also a word on the lips of one of the night’s winners.
Adel Al Hendi scooped up the award for best young Emirati player award and then outlined his desire to break into the full UAE XVs side for this month’s Test against Singapore.
Roelof Kotze’s side are due to play the Asian 5 Nations Division I game next Wednesday in Dubai, and Al Hendi, who has broken into the Shaheen set-up and also plays for Abu Dhabi Harlequins seconds, is hoping to get his chance.
“It’s good that we can have an event like this that brings the rugby community together,” the teenager said.
“I’m playing for the UAE sevens team now and hopefully I can make the 15s just before the Test against Singapore.”
Dubai Hurricanes player-coach Jenny Matheson took home the women’s player of the year award last weekend. She has played a big role in developing the female game – which is played in the sevens format – and is hopeful her gong could help land further media exposure and growth.
“I’ve been in charge of running the league for the past five years as well and there has been a lot of development throughout the league for the past five years and it’s nice to see that the women are also represented here,” she said.
“It would be nice for next year as well to try and get the women involved a bit more with the media coverage because there is a lot of rugby that goes on.”
