UAE Rugby’s RRR Initiative | A Step Towards Sustainable Rugby Development in Asia

In a dynamic and evolving sports landscape, rugby stands out for the core values it imparts both on and off the field. In this promising but challenging backdrop, the UAE Rugby Federation has launched the Rugby Rise Road (RRR) initiative, a project aimed at establishing a sustainable funding stream for rugby development.

UAE Rugby Federation Board with Staff

The RRR initiative’s core objective is to create a robust support system that nurtures young talent and promotes the sport’s growth; the goal is to strategically and sustainably develop rugby across all strands, both within the United Arab Emirates and throughout the region.

“Reflecting on the experiences and opportunities provided to unions and individuals involved in the Q1/Q2 planned initiatives is truly captivating,” shared Hazem Hassan, the UAERF’s project lead on RRR, reflected on the initiative. “We’ve witnessed immense passion for rugby and a genuine drive for advancement and growth. This initiative is made possible by UAE Rugby’s visionary leadership, driven by a dedicated board of directors who share a passion for the sport.”

Strategic Partnerships: The Backbone of RRR

Central to the RRR initiative are strategic partnerships with sponsors and institutions. These partnerships are vital in providing the necessary financial support and resources to develop rugby at the grassroots level. By collaborating with organizations committed to youth development and sportsmanship, the initiative ensures that funding is effectively utilized to foster a supportive environment for young athletes. This collaborative approach not only strengthens rugby infrastructure but also builds a community invested in the sport’s long-term success.

Match Official -Exchange-Program RRS-Iraq-Bangladesh-UAE-League-Finals-April

Reflecting on Q1/Q2 Initiatives

The RRR initiative has already seen the following significant activities in the first half of 2024, demonstrating its immense potential for boosting rugby development:

February 2024: UAERF provided competition rugby balls to a local Egyptian rugby team, enhancing game infrastructure and requisite sports equipment.

April 2024: The Federation hosted two match officials from the Iraq Rugby Union and Bangladesh Rugby Union for the UAE League Finals, contributing to enhancing match officiating capacity in the region.

June 2024: Also aimed at enhancing human resource capacity critical to growing the game, a number of individuals qualified for various World Rugby certifications during the UAE Super Week focused on game development, training, and education. This included participants from Iran, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Lebanon and Bangladesh, girls from, a local Emirati team, along with other ladies from the local UAE women’s rugby community.

UAE Rugby Secretary General Mohamed AlZaabi spoke glowingly about the initiative’s progress: “Since launching RRR at the Asia Rugby Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Tashkent 2023, we have taken great pride in UAE Rugby’s accomplishments during the first half of 2024. This program embodies the vision of the UAERF leadership and our dedicated board members. We are committed to continuing our work with Asia Rugby and eagerly invite ideas and initiatives for collaboration. We warmly welcome all unions interested in joining the program to address the specific needs of Asian Rugby unions, and to contribute to global rugby development.”

For inquiries regarding partnership opportunities, please reach out to the UAE Rugby Federation at: rrr@uaerugby.ae.