Mike Wernham, the coach, says his job starts now as Dubai Hurricanes look to restore their place amongst the elite of West Asia rugby next season.
Hurricanes were out in front as the leading Arabian Gulf rugby club at the turn of the decade. They have been among the also-rans for much of the time since, however, with the likes of Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Harlequins and Dubai Exiles at turns forging ahead.
On Friday, Hurricanes had a successful end to the 2017-18 season, as they beat Dubai Sports City Eagles in the final of the West Asia Trophy. That, though, is a trophy played for by those sides who finished outside the top four of the West Asia Premiership.
It may be over six months until the start of next season, but Wernham says he will not be taking a break as he plans how to crack a return to the top echelons of the game.
_____________
Read more
Mike Brown recharges after Six Nations 'disappointment' by lending a hand at Dubai College coaching course
Bahrain coach Louie Tonkin expects big support for West Asia Cup final with Dubai Exiles
Dubai Hurricanes target West Asia Trophy with aim of finishing season 'as strongly as possible'
____________
“For us to be where we want to be, which is in the top four, we need so many more consistent performances,” Wernham said.
“My job starts on Sunday, at that is thinking ahead. The coaching team is already in place and I would argue we have the strongest coaching set up in the entire league.
“Now basically what we need to do is find out if anyone want to move, and if anyone wants to come to Hurricanes.”
It felt apt that Eagles were their final day opponents. Last summer, the start-up club from Dubai Sports City mined Hurricanes for a number of players.
Given where they started – Eagles are less than a year old, and started training with just four players last summer – they are satisfied with how competitive they are already.
“We are not under any illusions that next year will be a trophy year again,” Josh Ives, the Eagles rugby development manager, said.
“It is still just another year to prove ourselves again, to prove we can nick a few games, but in years three and four, I don’t see why we can’t compete.”
Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare
Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Results
1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Al Suhooj, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)
2pm Handicap (TB) 68,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
3pm Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Alla Mahlak, Adrie de Vries, Rashed Bouresly
4pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
