Ladies youth rugby is being taken to new heights in the UAE with the formation of the Sandcats Select team to play against international competition.
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Contrary to stereotypes, the girls, who are the very best of the best in the region, are as fierce as anyone – regardless of gender.
“They’re not princesses playing rugby,” UAE Sandcats Select team manager Richard Botting said. “I challenge anybody, in terms of these girls being able to demonstrate at any level their skill, their enthusiasm and their ability to play the game of rugby. And they want to.”
After focusing on the shorter format of the sport in 7’s, UAE U18G ladies youth contact rugby decided to develop the full XV version of the game by creating UAE Sandcats Select.
The team have a U15 and U18 side and are represented by players from the five local UAE clubs – Dubai Hurricanes, Dubai Exiles, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Sharjah Wanderers and Al Ain Amblers.
“The concept started a couple years ago when we decided the girls needed a bit of focus of their own,” UAE Sandcats Select team manager Richard Botting said.
“Right from the start when we created the league, we knew we needed to have a platform where 7-a-side rugby for the girls just wasn’t good enough and we needed to give them the full-contact version.”
The group formed at the end of February and trained in the new format to get ready to play two test matches against the Community School of Auchterarder in April.
The UAE clubs first got the better of the Scottish school in 7’s, before Auchterarder returned the favour in 10’s.
In the Tests, the UAE Sandcats Select won the U15 affair (13-a-side) 43-12, while the Scots earned a decisive 33-0 victory for U18 (15-a-side).
The hosts, despite playing the full format of the game competitively for the first time, more than held their own and showed further promise for the development of the sport in the UAE at the ladies level.
Botting believes there’s still more to be done, but is hopeful for expansion on the horizon. “We have to continue with the 7’s format because some girls will go on and excel in that format, but we must continue to develop the full version of the game and put ourselves in a position where I’d like to see us touring next year,” Botting said.
“I’d like to take the girls overseas, anywhere where we can find a good ladies youth rugby system which we could play against.” In addition to a possible tour, there are plans to create UAE North v South Select teams when the UAE U18G 7’s league – established in 2013 – enters its third season this September.
Those are the short-term goals, but Botting feels it “would be lovely” if the UAE one day have an official ladies rugby team.
What: UAE Sandcats Select
Founded: 2015
Geared towards: U15 and U18 ladies youth rugby players
When & where: Across the UAE, September to April
Contact & info: For more information, visit the local rugby clubs’ respective websites or email [email protected].
