Yalla’s Rising Stars: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Yalla’s Rising Stars aims to inspire more children to take up a new sport or hobby by showcasing talented children across Abu Dhabi and making more people aware of the wonderful opportunities that exist for children across the Capital. So, when we met with the brilliant team at Abu Dhabi Harlequins, we couldn’t wait to feature them!

Abu Dhabi Harlequins have grown to be the largest rugby club in the Middle East, providing a fun and safe environment for around 800 junior members to play rugby, ranging from 4 to 19 years old. With all of that talent, we simply couldn’t pick just one child, so, we picked three! Learn more about each of their stories here…

Player in the under 15 girls team, Laoise is doing it for the girls! She has played for the Abu Dhabi Harlequins for five years, and also represents the Middle East in her age group. Laoise attends Al Yasmina Academy school and has aspirations to play internationally for a professional team in the future.

James has been selected as the captain of the under 11 team because win or lose, he motivates the team to always give 100% and most importantly- to have fun. James attends The British International School, Abu Dhabi, and his rugby heroes are his Dad, Sam Underhill, and Jonah Lomu.

Conor is 15 and plays in the Abu Dhabi Harlequins Try Rugby team. Try Rugby is a great initiative that was initially set up to enable children with special learning needs or disabilities to enjoy rugby, but it has been so successful that it is now a brilliant environment for any children who want to play rugby in a much less competitive environment. Playing in the Try Rugby team has not only taught Conor the foundational skills of rugby, but it has given him a sense of independence and helped to develop his social and interaction skills. After spending only a few minutes with Conor, it is clear to see that he is a very popular member of the team and has made some great friends since joining the club in 2015.

Abu Dhabi Harlequins Rugby Club was established in 1970, and since then has grown to be the largest rugby club in the Middle East, with over 1,000 playing members. The club’s junior section has around 800 members, ranging from 4 years all the way up to 19 years, and includes dedicated programs such as a girls squads at under 12, under 15, and under 18 levels, and of course the Try Rugby initiative.

Abu Dhabi Harlequins primary goal is to provide a safe, friendly, and fun environment in which youth members can learn and develop the skills required to play the game of rugby. However, equally as important is how their team of proficient coaches teach children to uphold the values associated with rugby; teamwork, leadership, communication, commitment, discipline and respect – not only on the playing field but also off it in their daily lives. Abu Dhabi Harlequins also have very strong connection across adult and youth sections of the club which overall makes for a very close rugby club family.

If you are interested in learning more about Abu Dhabi Harlequins, you can visit the website here, or email [email protected]

For any enquiries relating to Try Rugby, please contact Sema on 050 266 0194 or email [email protected]