Botes hopes to build on Sarries success

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  • Botes (c) was integral to Sarries' sensational season.

    Player of the Season winner Jaen Botes is aiming for “bigger and better things” after his Abu Dhabi Saracens side dominated the 2014-2015 UAE Rugby Annual Awards.

    – Steve Thompson reveals UAE coaching duties
    – Sarries take top honours at UAE Rugby Awards

    The West Asia Cup trophy winners came away with the night’s two premier prizes with Ali Thompson also named Coach of the Season. Both reward for the Abu Dhabi-outfit’s breakthrough campaign.

    More than 300 people were present at The Montgomerie, Dubai, on Thursday to see the achievements of people from 16 updated categories celebrated in the second running of the event.

    The 2015 edition of the Rugby Awards – backed by Daman Active Life, HSBC, National Ambulance and Emirates Airline – ensured the work of the players, officials, referees, sponsors and volunteers that have boosted the sport in the UAE were acknowledged.

    A trio of globally-renowned names saw the capital club sweep the boards, including Australia’s 1999 World Cup winner Joe Roff, 2003 champion Steve Thompson of England and World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper.

    More than 22,000 public votes were registered for the 121 nominees, the winners being selected in a process that also included the views of an expert judging panel.

    Sarries’ skipper Botes insisted the triumph would not quell his ambitions, even aiming for selection for the UAE 15-a-side national team.

    The No8 said: “There have been some ups and downs throughout the season, so this goes out to everyone at Saracens. Hopefully, I can take this in and help the boys strive for bigger and better things. I always refer to the boys at Saracens like a family. All credit to the boys, from 1-26, and all the management.

    “I will definitely be sticking around for next season and hope to represent the UAE in rugby. I am enjoying the game for what it is.

    “This is a confidence booster. But this is a motivation for myself and thanks to all the players who have allowed me to be their leader – I will try to stay humble.”

    Sarries finished third in the Sport360° UAE Premiership and second in the elite Gulf Top Six competition, ending the season in style with an epic 26-20 West Asia Cup triumph in Doha.

    This capped an incredible breakthrough season at the helm for Thompson, who combined coaching duties with playing for the first time during his spell at the club. The Scot was thrilled by the individual award but insisted it had been a team effort. 

    “It is fantastic to be given this,” the former Abu Dhabi Harlequins coach said.

    “There were a lot of strong candidates and it is a big surprise to receive it.

    “It has been a collective effort from everyone connected with Abu Dhabi Saracens. It has been a long journey to get to this point.”

    The event saw the achievements of the Emirati and expat communities celebrated for a second time. UAE Rugby Federation secretary general Qais Al Dhalai was honoured by the kind words of Gosper, who is the head of the global organising body.

    Al Dhalai said: “For us as a UAE Rugby Federation, we always thought we needed something like this. It is crucial to award people who excel and give their time.

    “Right after the first awards on April 8, 2014, I told one of my colleagues that we need to work even harder after all those successes. We continue to work behind the scenes.

    “We do not have a huge amount of resources. We have only 10 people but we are doing so much.

    “Brett Gosper gave me a great compliment during the night by saying he had never attended an awards like this. For me, this is great news. I always wished the World Rugby CEO would say something like that to me. It shows everything pays back.”

    Versatile Al Ain Amblers and UAE back Hareb Al Azri claimed the Emirati Player of the Season title. He was determined to use the title to boost the national team’s development, with the UAERF only being established six years ago.

    He said: “Out of all the Emiratis, I feel it was a tight draw. We have many good Emiratis in the seniors. Hopefully, it will be motivation for the future.”

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