Rugby Overview

Senior Men’s Rugby

Our Men’s Section are a leading force in Middle East rugby; our 1st XV are 2019 West Asia Premiership Finalists, 2018 Dubai 7’s and UAERF XV’s Premiership champions, whilst our 2nd XV won the Plate Competition in the Dubai 7s and came 3rd in the UAE Conference in 2017.

We offer the best coaching, physio and club setup in the UAE and we  train and play at the premier rugby facilities in the region. Come and try us out!

We field various Men’s teams which compete in both the UAE and regional competitions. Additionally, the club enters the hugely popular annual Dubai Sevens tournament that is played in conjunction with the IRB World Sevens Series in December of each year.  This world famous tournament was started by Dubai Exiles and was previously known as The Dubai Exiles Sevens. Over the years our men’s 7’s teams have achieved regular success in this tournament playing in front of 50,000 rugby fans with the event being televised worldwide to millions more fans. Our Men’s section train as one squad on Mondays and Wednesdays and play all home fixtures at the world famous The Sevens Stadium, where we have just opened our spectacular new Clubhouse that overlooks 8 x world class pitches.

Men’s 1st XV

Currently Dubai Rugby 7’s 2017 Champions and  UAE Premiership XV’s Champions, our 1st team squad caters to all those enthusiastic to play regular, competitive rugby. From young aspiring players to experienced elite players, all battle it out on the pitch every weekend competing in the various prestigious competitions in the Gulf, and we have the proud tradition of being multiple winners of these competitions. This coming season (2018/19) our 1st XV is playing in the newly structured UAE Premiership. This will consist of a home and away game played against the other 5 highest rated teams in the UAE. They will also play in the newly formed West Asia Conference League which is a cross border competition, including Bahrain.

Furthermore, our Men’s section boast a proud record of seeing a number of players regularly being selected for the UAE National side and last season was no exception with 8 selected including Exiles Captain Durandt Gerber as the UAE team Captain. Furthermore an increasing number of our 1st XV are home grown talent having come through our strong and unsurpassed junior rugby program.

We have a highly skilled and experienced management team compromising of:

• Director of Rugby/Head Coach – Jacques Benade (former Captain South Africa “A”, Blue Bulls, Natal Sharks and Treviso, Level 3 Coach and a current coach of the UAE National Squad)
• Physiotherapist /Sports Rehabilitation – Chris Page (former UAE National Squad Physiotherapist)

Men’s 2nd XV

Our 2nd XV, is also often referred to as the ‘Super 2s’ and competes in the UAE Conference Competition. It too plays every year in the Dubai 7’s. The 2^nd XV offers a competitive, but social platform of Rugby and offers a good blend of U18 development players, aspiring 1^st team players and seasoned Vets (over age 35) who offer leadership, experience and spirit.

• Coach – Gareth Venter
• Physiotherapist/Sports Rehabilitation – Chris Page

Contacts

Mini, Youth & Girls Rugby

“The oldest and most established Mini & Youth rugby section in the Middle East”. This is the entry level to what will hopefully become a long and fruitful career in Rugby both inside and outside of Dubai Exiles RFC.

The emphasis throughout is for the boys and girls to enjoy their rugby while at the same time learning the basic skills and gaining an aptitude for the game.

Our track record in developing young rugby players is unsurpassed in the UAE; we have seen several Exiles M&Y alumni go on to gain representative honours including in England, Wales, Scotland and the UAE itself (8 players gained national recognition at UAE U19 level in 2017/18, more than any other UAE Club). A number of our alumni have gone on to gain professional rugby contracts around the world including recently with Wasps and Northampton Saints in England. Our U19 Girls have been regular winners in their competition within the Dubai 7s too, something we are very proud of, and our Girls rugby teams at U12,U15, and U19 levels are a thriving and growing force in girls rugby in the UAE.

Through a dedicated network of volunteer coaches, aided and assisted by our highly experienced Club Director of Rugby Jacques Benade and a number of senior players with coaching and teaching qualifications, we aim to provide the highest standard of facilities and coaching for all our members.  We provide a superb rugby environment for all ages of younger players from 4 years through to Under 19. Regular training is held in Dubai at the 7’s Rugby Grounds (see map below) during the Rugby season (September to April). Matches are played locally in domestic leagues and internationally through participation in festivals and tours. In recent years some of our M&Y teams have toured England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, South Africa and Australia, and scored some noteworthy victories along the way as well as creating some wonderful and life long memories!

Contacts

Touch Rugby

• Do you want to get involved in a team sport, but you’re never sure where to start?
• Are you new to Dubai and looking to meet new/like minded people?
• Do you want to re-live your glory days and show everybody that you still “have it”?!
• Do you want the opportunity to play sport socially or competitively at world-class facilities?
• Would you like to tour overseas with your mates whilst playing sport?

We have the answer!

As we enter our 4th season,  Dubai Exiles RFC  Touch Rugby is going from strength to strength. We play a social, non-contact ball sport that is similar to Rugby Union for both Men and Women. We currently have 80 plus members and we’re growing! We play from Sept to March and sessions will involve a short training run and a game(s) of Touch Rugby. The group has already competed in numerous carnivals and competitions during the past 2 seasons  including the European Championships in Jersey C.I,  the World Masters in New Zealand and tour to Ireland, and we have plenty planned for the season ahead. AWESOME FUN. THERE IS NO EXCUSE!

Structure

Full season (year from April-March) Cost: 900 AED inc VAT – unbelievable value!

What do my subs buy me?

• YOU get registration and opportunities to be part of a FUN sporting culture and club!
• YOU get the opportunity to be coached and refereed to FIT (International Touch Standards) and to play on world class facilities at The Seven’s Stadium.
• YOU get the opportunity to play in numerous competitive carnivals in the UAE.
• YOU get access to the Club membership discount scheme
• YOU get access to our fantastic new Clubhouse

How do I get involved?

Registration will open on 11th Aug 2019. This can be done by clicking on any ‘Join the Exiles’ or ‘Become a Member’ buttons on this website.

COME & JOIN US FOR SOME AWESOME FUN. THERE IS NO EXCUSE!

Contacts