DUBAI // Talks have reached an impasse between the UAE Rugby Federation and some of the country’s leading clubs over attempts to integrate Emirati players into domestic competition.
Roelof Kotze, the UAE performance manager, believes it is vital for emerging Emirati players to be playing regular club rugby if they are to improve.
Other than the likes of Adel al Hendi, Hareb al Azri and Cyrus Homayoun, few indigenous players have played any matches in domestic rugby, preferring to stay within the Shaheen development programme instead.
Kotze has implored his players to sign up for clubs this season. However, the move stalled because of a disagreement over subscription fees.
“We live in a soccer-orientated community,” said Qais al Dhalai, the secretary general of the federation.
“Once we get bored, we play soccer, not rugby. Logically, if you don’t get the buy in of the players, they won’t bother to play rugby.
“In addition to that, telling them to pay Dh1,500 to join a club is another obstacle for the player. Our main issue was how to overcome that.”
The federation have offered to cover 80 per cent of each Emirati player’s club membership, with the clubs looking after the remaining 20 per cent.
Arabian Knights, the UAE Conference club with a booming junior section, are the only club so far to agree to the arrangement. They hope to have enough indigenous players at the Under-16 level to field an all-Emirati Knights side at some point this season, overseen by the first qualified Emirati coach, Yousef Shaker.
“The players are encouraged to join clubs, because they are not going to get enough exposure and coaching if they are just going to rely on me or the development officers,” Kotze said. “They have to be involved and play.”
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