The UAE is well on the way to unearthing its next rugby superstar. This is the view of Huw Edwards, a community coach for Saracens Rugby Club.
Huw, 18, has spent the last three months visiting schools in the capital to train them on all the skills and techniques needed to excel at the sport. Saracens have been working in the community for a few years and have now stepped up their efforts with three full time coaches tasked with developing the skills of local students in the capital.
Huw, a qualified coach and a student of Wllandovery College in Wales, which has produced no less than three Welsh internationals recently, initially came to UAE on a rugby tour, but his playing and leadership talents were spotted by Dave Jackson, CEO of Saracens, who immediately recruited him to be part of their community team.
The Saracens community team visit Al Muna, Al Yasmina, Abu Dhabi Grammar, Al Batten schools and Brighton College to conduct these sessions during the students’ PE lessons, during lunchtime and after school.
“The students’ interest in rugby varies from one school to the next, which reflects in our sessions,” explains Huw. “Those from the international schools are more familiar with the sport, so we would teach them contact rugby, depending on their ages. The more local and younger students start with the basics of touch rugby, with a typical programme starting on the techniques of ‘touch’ – not to pull clothes, before moving on to handling, catching and passing, and ending with game practice.”
The UAE is not traditionally known as a rugby-mad country, but Huw has been encouraged by what he has observed so far. “I am really impressed by the students’ willingness to learn this relatively new sport in this region. Some have shown some great natural skills too, which bodes well for the future. Some of the students have also started to join clubs like Saracens to develop further. We have teams from six years and up so we encourage all interested players to join up.”
So what is the best part of working in the community for Hugh? “I love sharing my experience with the students. Initially, I met children who had never seen a rugby ball, so the satisfaction you get when they learn to pass or catch is immeasurable.”
Interested schools or players who would like the Saracens community team to visit their schools should call 050 811 0609.
Seth Amoafo
