DUBAI // In 1970, rugby and Dubai were clearly both far removed from their modern-day guises, aesthetically, chronologically, and in every other way imaginable.
The Clocktower in Deira was about the most notable landmark in the emirate, unobstructed as it was by any multistorey buildings — or buildings of any sort, for that matter.
Camels roamed freely near the few major motorways. There was not an indoor ski slope anywhere to be found.
Rugby was played on sand, rather than the lush green fields that now abound at Middle East rugby’s headquarters.
While a battalion of fit, young squaddies briefly took leave of active duty to become remembered as the first Dubai Sevens, now the main event is contested by national teams, peopled by professional players harbouring an Olympic dream.
While there are multiple tournaments now running concurrently at every Dubai Sevens, though, there is still a place for sides representing the military.
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At the most recent event, for instance, the Honourable Artillery Company, the second-oldest military organisation in the world after the Vatican’s Pontifical Swiss Guard, played in the International Social tournament. The international event has not totally lost its link to its military past, either.
The World Series competition has been coloured by a variety of servicemen in recent times.
In 2010, England won the Dubai title with a forward pack that included Greg Barden, a Royal Marine, and Isoa Damu, a Fiji-born soldier serving in the British Army.
Both were united in defending England’s try-line, having played against each other in the past in fixtures between the Navy and Army.
Barden was still serving with the Royal Marines and represented the Navy in rugby when he captained England to their second successive Emirates International Trophy in 2011.
By then a corporal, his career in the military had taken him to areas of conflict in South America, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.
He says that he will take the memories of those days as an international rugby player to his grave.
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He might, though, have preferred to have worn camouflage rather than the tangerine kits England wore when winning that title.
“Argh, those marmalade tops ...,” Barden said.
“Along with finally beating the (British) Army in 2012 for the Navy, it was certainly one of my greatest memories.
“I remember saying at the time that Dubai is a home from home for us. With the support we always got at Dubai, being able to lift that cup in front of 40,000 people will go to my grave with me.”
Soon after that success in the UAE, Barden had left the Marines, and not long after that he retired from rugby, too.
Now focused on his own start-up business, he has left his involvement in both behind, but he says the link between the two remains strong.
“There is great synergy between rugby and the military,” Barden said.
“As in rugby, whatever part of the military you are in, team work and camaraderie play a huge part in any successful team.
“I know the Navy and Army regiments will always look to arrange a game of touch if possible. They would also always try and include locals wherever possible. That is another testament to the game in that it can bring people together.”
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