Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Bahrain Rugby Football Club has revealed plans to expand its junior rugby section as the sport continues to attract new young fans across the globe.
Preparations for the 2014/15 junior sports season are well under way at the Janabiya sporting facility and a selection of sports will again be offered to children aged from five to 17, including rugby, netball, football, cricket, Gaelic football and touch rugby.
And the goal has been set to encourage even more youngsters to touch down at the club. Sports co-ordinator Sam Wilson said: “One section in particular looking to expand their participation numbers and provide discipline, fitness, skill sets and an environment that is different to any other organisation found in Bahrain is junior rugby.
“Junior rugby has a proud history at the club and the coaches are very aware of the commitment they take up when passing on their knowledge to the next generation of players.
“Rugby Union is expanding at an incredible rate worldwide and the inclusion of Rugby 7s in the Olympics from Rio 2016 just underlines the sport’s growing global image.”
Among the club’s junior coaches are six current or ex-Bahrain senior players and an ex-South African Division 1 representative.
More than half of the coaches are first-aid trained and all of the coaches are ‘rugby ready’ qualified. Each age group will have an IRB Level 1 certified coach present and no less than three age groups will have a Level 2 qualified coach.
Wilson proudly highlighted the quality of the coaching team the club has assembled for the 2014/15 season. “I have nothing but admiration for these guys,” he said. “They all have a great knowledge of the game and tremendous enthusiasm for coaching rugby.
“I receive constant praise from parents regarding the efforts of our coaches, the parents clearly see the physical and social development their children make throughout a season spent in our programme.”
Bahrain’s juniors compete in the HSBC Youth Rugby Series that consists of four weekend long tournaments around the Gulf.
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha and Bahrain host a tournament each and teams build up points depending on where they finish in each tournament in the hope of being crowned the overall champions.
Although Bahrain’s participation numbers are much lower than in the much bigger UAE, Bahrain’s teams always compete admirably throughout the season, none more so than the Under-12s in the 2013/14 season, led by head coach Dave Edwards, who were crowned overall champions having won or finished runners-up in all of the four tournaments.
Junior rugby trainings will be held every Friday morning from 9am until 10.30am starting on Friday, September 25, at the club, which is situated close to Saar Cinema.
Bahrain RFC is holding a registration from 9am to 10am this Friday. Club members will get the chance to meet the coaches, fill out sports forms and medical waivers and order any kit required for the new season.
For further information, contact Wilson by emailing sports.coordinator@bahrainrfc.com
