[28 Feb 2010] The first ever HSBC A5N Youth Rugby Festival, held in Dubai in the UAE, was widely acclaimed as a great success - despite the uncomfortable appearance of the fierce desert wind known as a shamal.

With the support of the ARFU and sponsors HSBC, the festival took place 19-20 February at the new purpose-built rugby stadium, The Sevens. It attracted 115 teams and 1700 players – from under-6 to under-18, including boys and girls. Teams came from across the UAE but also Bahrain, Egypt, Qatar, Russia, Kuwait and Azerbaijan.

In addition to the games played, more than 200 youngsters enjoyed hands-on guidance from guest coaches, whose presence was made possible through the generous support of A5N sponsor HSBC. Participants and organisers praised the work of the coaches, who worked tirelessly and enthusiastically putting the young players through their paces.

Organiser Holly Millward declared that the event had been even better than they had anticipated. Plans for next year’s Dubai HSBC A5N Youth Rugby Festival are already under way, and it is hoped to attract more teams and more players, for even greater enjoyment of rugby.