Apollo Perelini says UAE U-18 girls' Paris trip can help spike female participation in rugby

Matt Jones - Editor 18:39 04/07/2017
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  • Apollo Perelini hopes the UAE U-18 team can inspire more Emirati girls to take up rugby

    Apollo Perelini is expecting stern competition from the UAE’s opponents at this weekend’s Paris World Games but claims the experience and exposure for his national Under-18 girls team could work wonders for women’s rugby in the Emirates.

    It’s been a series of firsts for the team since they became the first all-Emirati female team to represent the UAE in rugby last December at the Dubai Sevens.

    And no matter the outcome in France at the two-day tournament, which starts on Saturday, Perelini insists they are taking giant strides forward.

    “The girls are coming for a tournament in which we don’t know how they’ll do,” said Perelini, UAE Rugby’s performance manager.

    “We want them to do their best and try their hardest. They are facing some good, stern opposition, like Stade Francais U-18s, the Swiss national team, Team Atlanta USA and a few Asian teams.

    Perelini pictured with the UAE U-18s

    Perelini pictured with the UAE U-18s

    “The majority are from France academies so they will be strong and it will be a big challenge for our girls but I think it’s one they’re really looking forward to.
    “It’s for the future of girls’ rugby in the UAE and the more opportunities like this they get the more interest we’ll get from girls to participate in our game.

    “One of the main reasons we opted to bring the girls to this tournament was trying to keep girls in the game. This is the first and won’t be the last time we do this.

    “And if we can continue to give these types of opportunities to Emirati girls and enable them to travel to these tournaments and have these types of experiences, more and more girls are going to want to play rugby and pursue the chance to play for the UAE and represent their country.”

    The tournament is being staged at French rugby headquarters at Marcoussis. Players and coaches are staying on-site and Perelini said the trip is a reward for the commitment and effort the girls have shown in their debut campaign.

    He added: “These girls have worked hard all year and have probably not been rewarded for their commitment and dedication to the game of rugby that we are passionate about.

    “We’d always planned to take them somewhere but this is probably one of the best opportunities. To take them away and for them to stay at facilities like Marcoussis, which is the headquarters of French rugby. It’s an amazing place.

    “To be given these facilities and opportunities is amazing for them and we’ve loved their hospitality.”

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