Testament to the fact that rugby is growing in popularity within the UAE, the capital’s newest team, the Abu Dhabi Saracens, have just closed a season to be proud of and which happens to be their first. Angela Beitz talks to fullback and vice-captain, Alan Monkhouse, about the UK Saracens visit to Abu Dhabi.
What are you looking forward to when the UK Saracens come to Abu Dhabi?
It’s a chance to meet some of the players that we have watched on TV representing our countries – and in the cases of John Smit and Steve Borthwick being captain of those international sides, which is a big honour for players in the same sport. These are the guys we look up to and aspire to be. Spending some time with them will give us a great chance to interact with these guys and find out what it’s like being a professional sports player.
Tell us a bit about the Abu Dhabi Saracens club?
The Saracens are a brand new club, we’ve only just finished our first ever season. There has only been one rugby club in the capital for a while now, but starting the Saracens has proved that there is enough interest and players in the sport to build a strong community around a new club.
We are very much an open community and welcome new people into our ‘family’. Although primarily a rugby club that battles out on the field each week, the Saracens has developed into more than that, people join the community for the atmosphere and simply the chance to meet some like-minded and friendly people.
Even though we’re a new club, our rugby squad has done extremely well in its first season, finishing third in our league and even beating some of the traditionally strong teams in the area such as the Jebel Ali Dragons and Dubai Exiles. Saracens is built upon a strong ethos that is welcoming off the field, and tough on it. Rugby is about battling your opponent to the final whistle, but as soon as the game is over we shake hands with the opposition and join them afterwards to socialise as friends. We have met lots of new friends on our travels this year, and we believe we have a great attitude that other organisations will remember us for.
How do you train?
Saracens like to train as we play and push ourselves to become better. Although we work hard, any new members are warmly welcomed and encouraged to take part. We would usually combine some strength and conditioning work with skills that can raise our fitness levels and rugby playing ability.
Are you surprised that there is a big rugby following here?
Not really, wherever you go in the world you will find that rugby promotes the same welcoming friendly attitude in all of its participants, which brings together players and supporters of the game from all over the world. It is the same here – we are a club of many nationalities: South African, Kiwi, Aussie, English, Canadian, Emirati, Irish…the list goes on. With such a large expat community from all over the world people interested in the sport naturally band together and we are proud to be doing the same here. We are also rapidly expanding our ties with the local Emirati population to increase their involvement with and enjoyment of the sport, and have players now stepping up into the first team squad – which is a proud achievement for guys who have only been introduced to the sport recently.
Have you watched the London Saracens play before and what do you think of their standard? Do they have any standout players?
A few of our players from the UK have seen the Saracens play before, and others have seen a few of their other players representing international sides at the Dubai Sevens. The Saracens are one of, if not the top team in the UK Premiership and are currently Champions of that league. Of course the standard these guys play is incredible, and it’s a joy to watch for any rugby fan. A few key players to look out for in the future are George Kruis who plays lock and is tipped to play for England one day. Another stand out player would be John Smit, the ex-South Africa captain, who brings a lot of experience to their squad.
Will you be having a game against them while they’re here?
We will be training with the squad and then playing a friendly game afterwards. Word on the street is that the AD Saracens may upset the UK Saracens with a strong display to narrowly capture victory, but you can never tell until the final whistle.
The Saracens play and train at the Al Ghazal Golf Club, near Abu Dhabi airport, every Monday and Wednesday night from 7-8.30pm. For more information on the Abu Dhabi Saracens visit www.abudhabisaracens.com or call 050 800 7133.
