Age-group players take centre stage at HSBC Rugby Festival Dubai

The Dubai Sevens might unquestionably be the largest festival for rugby in the Middle East, and one of the biggest anywhere in the world.

But, less than two months after South Africa carried off that title, the same site is set to be taken over by another enormous rugby event.

This weekend, more than 3,000 participants and 252 teams will compete in the HSBC Rugby Festival Dubai at The Sevens. For the majority of mini and youth players in the region, including players from Under 5 to U18, it represents the pinnacle of the season.

When the tournament started in 2008, it was staged at the Habtoor Polo Club as the new headquarters for rugby in the region was still being constructed.

The Dubai Exiles, the host club, had seen their old ground at Al Awir swallowed up by redevelopment, and were waiting to move into the new site on the Al Ain Road.

In the 16 years since, the HSBC festival has become established as the one to win for junior sevens players.

“This feels like the Sevens but for clubs,” said Aydia Coetzee, whose Exiles side are targeting success in the U18 girls tournament on Sunday.

Age-group players generally opt to play for their schools rather than club teams at the Dubai Sevens. Coetzee, for example, was representing DESC in that event back at the start of December. For the HSBC festival, though, they are reunited with their club sides.

“It is a good opportunity for the girls to reconnect again after separating for that tournament, where we picked schools over clubs,” said Coetzee, who has represented UAE at age-group level on tours of Taiwan and Nepal.

“It brings us together for the league finals, and it is an amazing opportunity for us to play together and represent the Exiles.”

The vast number of players in