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JUNIOR RUGBY

8 to 11 years | Boys and Girls

TEAMWORK, RESPECT, ENJOYMENT, DISCIPLINE, SPORTSMANSHIP

Introducing contact in a controlled and safe environment. U/9 focus is just on the tackle area with uncontested scrums and line outs. U/10 playing 10 a-side and U/11 playing 12 a-side on a smaller pitch with contested scrums and lineouts, all of which are coached closely and safely. Junior Rugby for boys and girls from 8 to 11 years.

Like to speak to someone? Connect with Paul from ESM Rugby Academy on +971 52 143 9025 

Please select a venue to book online:

QUALITY EDUCATION

A high-quality Rugby education curriculum inspires all pupils to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically demanding activities. It should provide opportunities for players to become physically confident in a way which supports their health and fitness. Opportunities to compete in rugby will build character and help to embed values such as fairness and respect.

UNDERSTANDING THE GAME

By the end of each key stage, players are expected to know, apply and understand the skills and processes specified in the rugby program

BUILDING CONFIDENCE

Players will build on and embed the physical development and skills learned to become more competent, confident in their techniques, and apply them during rugby fixtures/tournaments

How your child will improve 
  • Team base preparation
  • Competitive fixtures 
  • Competitive games
  • More tactical (Game Specific)
  • Support play
  • Patterns and Structures
  • Strength and Conditioning specific to Rugby
  • Building self-confidence ,game appreciation and decision making skills.

Coaches & Staff

Jacques Benade
Rugby Senior Coach
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Durandt Gerber
Senior Player Coach
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Hannah Carey
PE Teacher
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Paul Walker
PE Teacher
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Jacques Benade
Rugby Senior Coach
Bio:

Jacques Benade is the Director of Rugby of Dubai Exiles RFC, where he has been in-role since 2015. He is also the Director of Rugby at Dubai College. He is a former full-time professional rugby player who Captained South Africa ‘A’ and who played professionally at fly-half for the Blue Bulls and Natal Sharks in South Africa and Treviso in Italy. 

He is a Level 3 qualified rugby union coach from his native South Africa. He has a proven track record at both senior and Mini & Youth level. Under his watch, the Club has won the following:

  • West Asia XVs Championship
  • UAE XVs Premiership (twice) and the Dubai 7s, 
  • Assist the elder Mini & Youth age groups to various league winning performances.
Durandt Gerber
Senior Player Coach
Bio:

Durandt Gerber is South African by birth. He played professional rugby in Italy for 9 years (where he also completed his level 2 coaching course in Italian). He is the current Captain of the Dubai Exiles 1st XV, and he also played at fly-half for Italy ‘A’ in 2011. He is a West Asia XVs Championship, UAE XVs Premiership and Dubai 7s winner, and he has assisted the elder Mini & Youth age groups at the Dubai Exiles to various league winning performances. Recently he captained the UAE National team to victory over Gibraltar. In 2015/16, he won the  “UAERF Best Rugby Player in the UAE” award.

Hannah Carey
PE Teacher
Bio:

Hannah Carey is the Head of Sports Development at GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis (WSO)  for the last 3 years. She is a level 2 Rugby Coach, and Level 1 Touch Referee. 

Hannah joined the academy 3 years ago Hannah has been the champion of leading the development of the girls touch rugby programme. She is experienced in coaching girls at both contact and touch rugby. 

On a personal level, Hannah plays Sevens Rugby in the Women’s 1st Division and has represented the Middle East Touch Rugby team in Hong Kong. 

Paul Walker
PE Teacher
Bio:

Paul Walker grew up playing rugby in UAE since the time the pitches were sand and not grass. He represented the UAE through the Arabian Gulf youth team for 2 years and played club rugby through the exiles.

In Scotland, he played for school rugby and represented the county of Midlothian for a further two years.  He also played in Liverpool for Sefton Rugby club for 3 years in their first 15. Back to Dubai he joined the Beavers Rugby club and represented them in the Dubai rugby 7s for 2 years. 

Paul holds both RFU level 2 rugby 15s coaching and Coaching 7s rugby. He now trains the u16/19 boys teams for GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis (WSO).

Register To The Program

FAQs

WHAT IS RUGBY UNION?

Rugby Union is similar in some respects to soccer and American football. It is played by two teams of 15 players on a field about 160 yds (150 m) long and 75 yds (70 m) wide, with goal lines 110 yds (100 m) apart and two in-goals (corresponding to football's end zones). The ball may be kicked, carried, or passed (to the sides or rear); tackling is permitted, but blocking is forbidden. Scoring is by carrying the ball into the in-goal or by kicking it between the goal posts.

WHAT IS ESM RUGBY ACADEMY ALL ABOUT?

The ESM Rugby Academy powered by Dubai Exiles RFC is a rugby coaching program designed to introduce and enhance rugby union skills and is hosted at Wellington Silicon Oasis. Drawing upon the history, success and coaching excellence at Dubai Exiles RFC, and supported by PE Staff from WSO, our programme will offer students immediate access to structured and fun sessions both within school curriculum time for WSO pupils, at after-school sessions for all GEMS pupils and for all program attendees  at Dubai Exiles club training sessions on Wednesday evenings and Friday mornings where young players get to play in Exiles colors at numerous club matches and tournaments from Sept to the end of March.

Rugby as a sport focuses on respect, discipline, and teamwork and is a great medium for learning life lessons whilst having fun with friends in a safe and structured training and playing environment 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING IN THE ACADEMY?

Young players are assisted in achieving their potential while developing their game understanding. The Academy environment, alongside like-minded aspirational players, increases the understanding of the demands of rugby and enables character development.

DOES ESM RUGBY ACADEMY HAVE COMPETITIVE LEAGUES AND TOURNAMENTS TO OFFER?

The following tournaments and leagues will be included within the program:

  • Club Competitions
    UAE Mini and Youth Leagues:
    From U9 - U/16 starting 7st September – 29th March played on Friday mornings
  • DASSA School League
    U/12 – U/19 Rugby league starting 14th January – March 22nd
  • School Tournaments
    DESC 7s Tournament U/12-U/19 (October)
    BSAK 7s Tournament U/12-U/19 (November)
    DC 7s Tournament U/11-U/19 (November)
    DC 10s Tournament U/11-U/19 (March)
  • UAE Mini and Youth Tournaments
    Al Ain Tournament - November 
    Abu Dhabi Harlequins - December 
    HSBC Dubai Rugby Festival tournament at the 7s stadium (co-hosted by Dubai Exiles) – January. This is the biggest Mini &Youth tournament in Asia with over 3,000 participants!

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