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A LOST tradition in Bahrain Rugby Football Club (RFC) history will make a welcome return next month as the famous International Weekend once again takes pride of place among the end-of-season festivities.
First launched with the support of British Airways in the early 1980s as a send-off to the regular rugby season, the Bahrain RFC International Weekend centred round a match between the local first XV and a star-studded team of international players.
Indeed, at the time, the event attracted some of the biggest names the sport has ever produced, including the likes of Nick Farr-Jones, Murray Mexted, JPR Williams, Brian Moore and others.
The advent of professional rugby in 1995 brought with it some difficulties but the International Weekend continued up until 2010, when some of the most prominent personalities behind the organisation of the event left the island.
The resurrection of the event after a gap of three years was thanks to former first XV captain Chris Matthews and his contacts in the Dubai wing of the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation (CNCF).
The CNCF is an International Partnership of people dedicated to serving underprivileged children with the hope of helping each child maximise their life potential.
Founded by Christina Noble in 1989 with a passion rooted in her own poor upbringing in Ireland, the CNCF works to protect children at risk of economic and sexual exploitation in Vietnam and Mongolia, while ensuring these and other children in need have access to basic care and educational opportunities.
This year’s International Weekend will be staged across May 2-4 and will feature a charity dinner, a feast of rugby and a pool party.
The weekend’s festivities will get underway on Thursday, May 2, with a special charity dinner and auction in aid of the CNCF.
Also marking the official opening of the club’s new multi-purpose facility, the dinner will feature a live band, a DJ as well as guest speakers Helenita Noble, daughter of Christina, and World Cup star Steve Thompson.
Now based in Dubai, Thompson, England’s most-capped hooker with 73 to his name, was a mainstay of the pack that lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy in Australia in 2003.
He went on to represent the British and Irish Lions on tour of New Zealand two years later.
A distinguished club career started with his hometown club Northampton Saints, with whom he won the Heineken Cup in 2000, and also included spells at Brive, Leeds Carnegie and London Wasps before a neck injury forced him to retire in 2011.
Following the charity dinner, Thompson will take up the role of manager of the CNCF Invitational Side as they take on the Bahrain first XV on May 3.
Among those lining out for the invitational team are England props Kevin Yates and Stu Turner, Tongan international Will Hafu, Scotland cap Jim Thompson, ex-Harlequins and Sale hooker Matt Cairns and former Saracens and Wasps winger Edd Thrower.
A few familiar faces will also be on show as former Bahrain and Arabian Gulf full-back James Love, now plying his trade with English Championship side London Scottish, takes his place alongside a number of other players from around the region.
That match will be the focal point of a full feast of rugby on the Friday, with the Bahrain junior teams also in action through the day, while entertainment off the pitch will be provided by the legendary Paddyman from Dubai.
The weekend’s activities will conclude with the traditional pool party and BBQ at the club on May 4, and should provide the perfect opportunity to wind down after a hectic few days.
Bahrain RFC rugby development manager Sam Wilson, who came to Bahrain as part of the invitational side for the 2008 International Weekend and never left, was delighted to see the return of what has traditionally been a hugely popular event.
“It’s great to see the International Weekend back on the calendar and particularly on a personal level as that’s what brought me to Bahrain in the first place,” he said. “We’re delighted to team up with and do our bit for the CNCF, a highly-respected and worthy charity with strong links to the rugby community.
“Traditionally this has been one of the highlights of the season in Bahrain and we’re hoping it lives up to previous years.
“The International Weekend should be a celebration of rugby and we want to get everyone from our junior teams to our Golden Oldies involved.”
All events on the International Weekend will be open to club members and non-members alike.
For details, contact info@bahrainrfc.com
