Transient nature of Gulf employment means success can be fleeting in rugby here

Abu Dhabi Saracens embrace the transient life in the Arabian Gulf as they try to get ahead, writes Paul Radley.

Jaen Botes, centre, and the Abu Dhabi Saracens have been knocking over opponents so far in the Gulf Top Six. Delores Johnson / The National

ABU DHABI // There are many good things going on at the buzzy new club that is Abu Dhabi Saracens.

Foremost might be the way in which they actively embrace the problem of the transience of life in the Arabian Gulf.

It goes without saying people come and go in this region.

It is part of the reason why in Gulf rugby, which reflects the wider community as well as any sport here, dynasties are only ever short-lived.

To use a recent example, Jebel Ali Dragons were entirely dominant for the past two seasons, winning back-to-back triple crowns.

But they were always going to struggle to perpetuate that for much longer, given the turnover of players in an area where rugby is a more of past-time rather than a profession.

Before the massive growth in Dubai’s population, it was only ever a one-club city.

But Dubai Exiles have long been overtaken by start-up clubs such as Dragons and Dubai Hurricanes.

History shows clubs here are representative of the economic climate of their city.

If a large company lands a contract for work in Bahrain or Doha, for example, the arriving workforce often includes sportsmen who need something to do in their downtime.

Bahrain are the most successful club in Gulf rugby history, and Doha, who Saracens play today in a top-of-the-table clash in the Gulf Top Six, are currently the team to beat.

Sharjah Wanderers are another case in point.

The club was started when the percentage of expatriates from rugby-playing nations living in the city was far higher than now.

It has reached the point where Wanderers, who are challenging for honours in the second tier of domestic rugby, have just five Sharjah-based players.

As the new club in the capital, Saracens have had to find ways to get a footing on Abu Dhabi Harlequins’s patch.

Since last year, they have had a highly beneficial relationship with a network of clubs bearing the same name around the world.

Via their link with the mother club in London, they have been able to arrange a succession of short-term loans for young players aspiring to a career in the game, either playing or coaching.

It is a glorified work experience scheme.

Having given them the chance to dip their toe in the water of the Arabian Gulf, Saracens hope they might stay.

If not, then both parties have been enriched by the experience anyway.

The current jewel in their side is Elliott Reeder, a 19-year-old fly-half who has been outstanding since stepping off the plane from the UK at the start of this year.

He jumped at the chance of escaping the freezing midwinter of the UK to spend three months playing in Abu Dhabi.

Since he arrived, Saracens have played three, won three.

And this is only their second year participating in the Gulf’s elite club competition.

“My old academy coach in the UK mentioned to me there was an opportunity to come out to Abu Dhabi, play for three months, then come back,” Reeder said.

“I took that with both hands.

“A friend of mine came out here last year and gave me an idea of what to expect.

“I have been exposed to a lot of international players back at Sarries [in London], and it is good to meet players of different nationalities here, too.”

Alistair Thompson, the capital club’s player-coach, says the arrangement is handy to have, but it does not feature as part of their plan for growing the club.

“It isn’t part of our model, but we are embracing it,” Thompson said of the short-term loans Saracens have managed to arrange during the past two seasons.

“It is not a case of coming for the season.

“It is a case of giving them an opportunity to come in and see how they like living in the UAE and the rugby club.

“When you are in a city where Harlequins are the top club, it is very difficult to attract players.

“Maybe you have to bring in players, get the results on your side, then hopefully attract the neutral who comes into the city.

“Then we can start to build our club and hopefully be the sort of big club that Harlequins are – a big machine.

“It wasn’t something we had planned to do more than once.”

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