DUBAI // Two Emirati teenagers were among a group of players who spent the first morning of the Eid weekend getting expert rugby tutelage from Josh Kronfeld, the former New Zealand player.
The former flanker, who was a World Cup runner-up with New Zealand in 1995, provided a coaching clinic for the launch of the Dubai Rugby Academy’s new skills programme.
Dubai Hurricanes, who run the academy, are offering full scholarships for emerging Emirati players to attend.
Up to 30 Emiratis could benefit from the scheme thanks to the terms of a recent sponsorship deal.
“The point of the elite programme is to focus on those players who have an ambition to make rugby a career, either playing or coaching,” Hurricanes chairmanSimon Lewis said. “The DHL scholarship programme is for Emirati players only.
“From that money we hope to accommodate five to 10 elite players, and 15 to 20 development players.”
The scheme is the club’s response to the impasse over the UAE Rugby Federation’s request for clubs to subsidise 20 per cent of all Emirati players’ membership fees.
The skills academy is open to players from all clubs, not just Hurricanes members.
“We support this because it is what is right for the game,” said Mike Wolff, the chairman of Dubai Exiles.
Kronfeld’s involvement emphasises the spirit of togetherness.
One of the other ambassadors for the academy, Joel Stransky, kicked the winning points when South Africa beat Kronfeld’s New Zealand side in the 1995 World Cup final.
“Schemes like this are paramount for the growth of the game and what Hurricanes are doing here is fantastic,” Kronfeld said.
“Rugby needs to continue to grow. It is a fabulous game, I love it to death, and it is fantastic to see it developing in places like Dubai.”
Follow us on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE
