Dubai Hurricanes have reiterated their commitment to the Emiratisation of rugby by announcing a scholarship scheme for UAE nationals.
The Hurricanes are one of the three nominated clubs on the Emirati Integration Committee (EIC), which has been given the task of hastening the enrolment of Emirati players into the expatriate dominated rugby community here.
This summer the EIC failed to agree a deal with the UAE Rugby Federation over the payment of membership subscriptions for nationals.
The governing body criticised domestic clubs for failing to agree to pay 20 per cent of membership fees for new Emirati members, with the federation subsidising the remainder. “I was looking for more commitment from the clubs,” Qais Al Dhalai, the secretary general of the federation, said last month.
“I don’t care if it was 50, 60 – we could have given 100 per cent – we can afford that. We need the commitment from the clubs.
“The principle is, they have to contribute some way or some how. We do not want to impose anything on them.”
The issue was one of the lead items on the agenda at a heated pre-season meeting of officials from the domestic clubs last week.
Now, the Hurricanes – with the support of the other members of the EIC – have unveiled their own plan for integrating Emiratis into their thriving academy structure.
A new sponsorship agreement with DHL includes a scholarship programme for Under 16 and Under 18 Emirati players, who will train alongside regular club members.
“The aim is to encourage young Emiratis to become accustomed to the game and its ethics of sportsmanship, on and off the pitch, combined with the sense of being part of a rugby family,” said a Hurricanes statement yesterday.
Senior players in the club will be encouraged to assist with the academy coaching, with Arabic-speaking players on hand to assist any new Emirati members.
“The aim is to provide a sustained programme of attainment via the IRB pathway programme for Emirati players,” said Simon Lewis, the club chairman.
“This would be recognised by rugby clubs within the UAE and overseas, should the individual have the opportunity to play rugby abroad.”
Mike Wolff, the chairman of Dubai Exiles and a fellow representative on the EIC, said the Hurricanes project deserves to be applauded.
“I think this is an outstanding initiative from the Hurricanes, and the Exiles are in full support of this,” Wolff said.
“In terms of growing the sport in the Emirati community, it focuses on long-term sustainability through a properly thought through, professionally delivered programme, structured to achieve quantifiable and tangible results.
“Of equal importance is that it will also expose Emirati players to the principles and ethos of rugby that players and fans share the world over. We, the Exiles, look forward to playing our part in support of all of this.”
pradley@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter at SprtNationalUAE