Abu Dhabi Harlequins continue to impress this weekend when they will host their 4th Annual Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Harlequins Junior Rugby Tournament which will take place at their rugby headquarters at the Al Ghazal Golf Course on Friday and Saturday.

 The competition has grown at a staggering rate and this year will host 1500 players from the ages of under seven through to under nineteen years with six playing fields in use. Organizers are expecting bumper crowds in excess of 8,000 over the two days as supporters look to cheer on their teams who will be involved in 375 matches that will be played. Teams from around the region will take part with this year marking the first visit from Damascus Rugby Club who will be one of the over one hundred teams competing.

Sevens Squad in South Africa

The Global Process Systems Gulf Men’s Sevens Squad flew out to South Africa earlier this week where they will spend seven days at an intensive training camp based in the heart of Springbok Rugby-Stellenbosch. The camp will be run by South African Sevens Head Coach Paul Treu who has already visited Dubai twice in recent months to spend time with the Gulf players. The training camp will see the players using the elite rugby facilities available at their training base and will include practice matches against the South African squad who will also be in attendance and who will face the Arabian Gulf in pool play later in the month at the Dubai Sevens.

Program Manager Andy Cole, himself a former Gulf representative who toured Southern Africa in the 1990s is appreciative of the support provided by title sponsor GPS.              “Without the great support of our main sponsor Global Process Systems we would not be able to expose our players to such a high level of preparation for the Dubai Sevens and ultimately the World Cup next year. It’s a fantastic opportunity for our players and something that we have never been able to do in the past.” said Mr. Cole. 

Hurricanes Nemesis’s to Clash

Men’s club rugby returns to Premiership play this weekend with the match of the round likely to be the eagerly anticipated Dubai Dragons versus Abu Dhabi Harlequins fixture. Both teams have defeated reigning League champs the Dubai Hurricanes this season and much interest will be focused on the battle between the opposing flyhalves. 'Quins Jo Czerpak and Dragons Henry Connell have played at the same high level in England and both have a typical English educated boot to direct their teams around the field.

In an earlier match at the new The Sevens Rugby Stadium traveling Bahrain RFC take on current Premiership leader Dubai Exiles RFC. Bahrain’s Gulf rake Rory Power will lead a solid pack and exciting backline which may give the hosts a tough afternoon if allowed.

This weekend’s rugby:

TOURNAMENT  ABU DHABI HARLEQUINS MINIS/YOUTH FESTIVAL Fri-Sat/14-15/Nov/08 ABU DHABI   
PREMIERSHIP  DUBAI EXILES I   v BAHRAIN   Fri/14/Nov/08 TSD 15:00    
PREMIERSHIP  KUWAIT NOMADS   v DOHA I   Fri/14/Nov/08 KUWAIT 15:00    
LEAGUE  SHARJAH WANDERERS   v DUBAI DRAGONS II   Fri/14/Nov/08 SHARJAH 17:00    
PREMIERSHIP  DUBAI DRAGONS I   v ABU DHABI HARLEQUINS I   Fri/14/Nov/08 TSD 17:00    
LEAGUE  AL AIN   v DUBAI HURRICANES II   Fri/14/Nov/08 AL AIN 17:00    
LEAGUE  ARABIAN POT BELLIES   v ABU DHABI HARLEQUINS II   Fri/14/Nov/08 TSD 19:00    

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