Rugby U14 Rosslyn Park

We had been talking about going to Rosslyn Park since the start of Year 8. However, when Covid came around it had to be cancelled. Thankfully, we were given the opportunity to go in Year 9, which we were all grateful for. The entire tour was a lot of fun and we all made memories we will never forget, from the rugby to the time we spent in the Premier Inn. The bus drives were long, but every trip was filled with laughs. We started off by playing Trinity College’s A and B teams as a warm-up before the main tournament. We dominated our pool and made it to the play-offs for the cup or plate. We came up against a very strong team and they ended up taking the win. Even though we didn’t win, we still got to the second day which was our main goal from the outset. The second day started with an early wake up and we were all quite sore to say the least. Our first match of Day 2 did not go our way which was disappointing as it meant we only had one more match. But we kept our heads up for the last match and played the best game we had played in the tournament. Even though they had a man-child at a height of about 6 foot 4, we managed to shut down any opportunities with crucial tackles and turnovers at the rucks. Although that would be the end of the tournament, we couldn’t have wished for a better way to go out. Not only did we get to play great rugby, but we were also given the chance to watch an entertaining game between the Saracens and Bristol. Mr Cottam deserves huge thanks as he was working extremely hard to make sure everything was set and ready to go for the tour to happen. Also, thanks to Mr Benade for coaching us throughout the tournament, giving us the drive to put all of our efforts into every game and making sure the group was organised. It was a once in a lifetime experience and none of us will ever forget it. 

Sincere thanks to our team sponsor POP Pay.

by Lucas Year 9

 

U18 Girls Rugby

This year has been the “year of firsts” for the Dubai College girls’ rugby team. We had our very first girls contact session (without the interruption of Covid restrictions) and our first ever contact match against BSAK. DC then hosted its first U18 girls contact tournament in the DC 7s where we were undefeated. And finally, we were the first Dubai girls’ team to be entered into the Rosslyn Park tournament in the UK, where we absolutely smashed it!  It was the most amazing experience any of us have ever had and for that, we are all so grateful. 

After years of patience and hard work into developing girl’s rugby, it has finally lifted off and as captain, I am extremely proud to have been a part of it. I have loved every moment of playing with my team for the past 8 years and the growth we have seen has been immense. A few girls playing social touch rugby has turned into an extremely hardworking and talented team. I really hope that we have all been an inspiration to the younger years in hopes to continue to see the sport that I love so desperately, grow even more. A massive thank you to Mr Benade who has been the driving force into making this game available to all girls at DC. Without him, the growth of this game will have been insignificant. And to Mr Epeli, we are all so grateful for your incredible coaching and words of wisdom that you have blessed us with this year. 

Sincere thanks also goes to our Rosslyn Park team sponsors HKA and DL Piper.

by Megan T, Year 13

 

U13 Boys Rugby

We had an outstanding 2021/2022 season: placed second at Rosslyn Park, winning the Plate for the DC7’s as well as winning the DESC 10’s. I think all the players and the coaches will have to agree that the season started off slow and there was little spirit and dedication detected from the players. As a result, we didn’t perform very well during Term 1 except for that very well-deserved victory against JESS. In Term 2 we really started to play rugby and playing as a team. I want to give a huge thanks to the players for putting in the effort, both on and off the pitch. I would also like to thank Mr Jones and Coach Epeli for developing us and it's just amazing how we went from getting dominated to beating the teams who were dominating us at the start of the year. Everyone did very well this year and we all finished on a high coming second in the Rosslyn Park 7’s tournament and I know that everyone put in an amazing performance and effort. It would also be remiss of me not to thank our parents for these unbelievable opportunities. It was a huge honour to represent our school and the sponsors in this prestigious tournament. I look forward to playing with the boys again next year as well as working with the coaches to take our game and enjoyment to the next level.  

Sincere thanks to our Rosslyn Park team sponsors HKA and DL Piper

by Pierre, Year 8

Link for Rosslyn Park photos:

U13 Boys:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/opwqz8jkxP8QB5yN8

U18 Girls:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/aUYZsyYhFeLwCEZU7

U/14 Boys:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4vCKcKTB2enFb8896

Summary of 2021-2022 Rugby Season Dubai College

U12 Boys DC7s 10S Round Robins DESC 10s DASSA 15s	Runners Up Winners Tournament Champs DASSA Winners
U13 Boys   DC7s 10S Round Robins DESC 10s Rosslyn Park	Semi Finalist Winners Joint Winners Won 4 lost 1
U13 Girls DC7s JESS Tournament DASSA League	Runners up Tournament Champs Runners up
U14 Boys DC7s 10S Round Robins DESC 10s Rosslyn Park	Lost in Final Won 2 of the 3 round Robins (point difference) Joint winners Group winners - lost play off and won 1 lost 1 on the 2nd day
U15 Girls DC7s JESS Tournament DASSA League	Runners up Tournament Champs Runners up
U16 Boys DC7s DESC 10s	Tournament Champs Tournament Champs
U19 Boys Dubai 7s 7s Friendly 10S Round Robins	Lost final against DESC (in front of a crowd of 30,000) Beat JESS on points difference in 2 games / Beat BSAK Finished 3rd
U19 Girls DC7s DESC U19 fixture Friendly v BSAK Rosslyn Park	Tournament Champs Runners up Winners Won 5 games and lost in semi-final