Day in the Life: Mathew Tait, general manager and festival director of Emirates Dubai Sevens – in pictures

  • Matthew Tait is the general manager and festival director of Emirates Dubai Sevens. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Matthew Tait is the general manager and festival director of Emirates Dubai Sevens. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • He is involved in developing commercial and strategic opportunities across both the Emirates Dubai Sevens and The Sevens Stadium. He oversees logistics, social media, marketing and the events calendar
    He is involved in developing commercial and strategic opportunities across both the Emirates Dubai Sevens and The Sevens Stadium. He oversees logistics, social media, marketing and the events calendar
  • Mr Tait uses his mornings to meet staff members to ensure everyone is on track and up-to-date
    Mr Tait uses his mornings to meet staff members to ensure everyone is on track and up-to-date
  • He will also check in on the full-scale infrastructure, hospitality chalets and bars, ahead of the event
    He will also check in on the full-scale infrastructure, hospitality chalets and bars, ahead of the event
  • Mr Tait will check the weather forecast to ensure the venue's partners have built structures that can cope effectively
    Mr Tait will check the weather forecast to ensure the venue's partners have built structures that can cope effectively
  • The Emirates Rugby Sevens expects to play host to 180 teams from all corners of the world
    The Emirates Rugby Sevens expects to play host to 180 teams from all corners of the world
  • This year's event has a number of new activations, including padel courts and a children's stage
    This year's event has a number of new activations, including padel courts and a children's stage
  • The new children's zone will have its own line-up of Disney singalong shows, balloon bending and giant roaming mascots
    The new children's zone will have its own line-up of Disney singalong shows, balloon bending and giant roaming mascots
  • One of the Sevens' partners is HSBC, which has its own section at the event
    One of the Sevens' partners is HSBC, which has its own section at the event
  • Every Wednesday, Mr Tait hosts an open forum to go through every part of the planning with teams involved
    Every Wednesday, Mr Tait hosts an open forum to go through every part of the planning with teams involved
  • The padel courts being built for the weekend
    The padel courts being built for the weekend
  • Part of Mr Tait's role is ensuring that all provisions are in place for match day and event day, and that includes ensuring there are rest areas for players to chill out
    Part of Mr Tait's role is ensuring that all provisions are in place for match day and event day, and that includes ensuring there are rest areas for players to chill out
  • Mr Tait will also spend a few hours of the day arranging and checking in on the entertainment plans for the weekend
    Mr Tait will also spend a few hours of the day arranging and checking in on the entertainment plans for the weekend
  • There will be an official merchandise shop for visitors at the Emirates Rugby Sevens event this weekend
    There will be an official merchandise shop for visitors at the Emirates Rugby Sevens event this weekend
  • Despite long work days in the lead-up to the event, Mr Tait says it's worth it
    Despite long work days in the lead-up to the event, Mr Tait says it's worth it
  • The changing rooms are prepared to host the players on event day
    The changing rooms are prepared to host the players on event day
  • There will also be netball matches throughout the weekend
    There will also be netball matches throughout the weekend