The chance to play on Pitch 1 in the front of a crowd of thousands in a Saturday final is the goal for hundreds of rugby players who play at the Dubai Sevens.
It is an opportunity afforded to few, and can be the highlight of a rugby career for those who achieve it. Especially those who do so alongside a group of their closest mates from school.
When Dubai English Speaking College start their Gulf Under 19 Boys title defence on Thursday, making it back to the main field will be driving them.
A number of players from the winning squad from last year have since moved on. But senior players and rookies alike all have the same aspiration.
“I was watching and thought, ‘I want to be there’,” said Mattia Coviello, a newcomer to the DESC squad this year. “The players who did play said it was just an amazing thing to be a part of.”
Tayne Stannard, the DESC captain, says the players will never forget the feeling of their cup final win against Dubai College in last year’s final.
“The most amazing part of the experience is when you are in the tunnel before and you can feel the energy and the crowd around you,” Stannard said.
“It was something we had never experienced before. Funnily enough, we were very confident as a team. It was us lined up, with DC on the south side, and we all remember they were all peaking around looking at us.
“We felt from that moment we had won the game. Then you run out on to the field and there are thousands of people around you.
“All of a sudden you feel like an ant. Playing in front of your friends and family in something like that is something we will never forget. Being able to do it as one team is really amazing.”
George Hipperson, who, like Stannard, is back to help try to defend DESC’s title this weekend, said the immediate prelude to playing on the main field is nerve-racking.
“During the warm up on Pitch 2, we were really nervous,” said Hipperson, 17, who recently debuted for the senior UAE national team on the Asian Sevens Series.
“We went in the tunnel and all the nerves went away when we were lining up and everyone was geeing each other up.
“I switched off a little bit as it is amazing running out in front of 20-odd thousand people. We got in the huddle and got into the game mindset.”
According to George Cliffe, the DESC coach, last year’s title win was a watershed one for the school. DESC had won the Gulf U19 Boys title at the Sevens before, but the 2021 success was the first time they had beaten Dubai College – the most successful side in the competition’s history – in doing so.
“It was a monkey on our backs, the fact we had never beaten DC at the Sevens before,” Cliffe said.
“It appeared to be a big thing for some of the boys mentally. We have broken that duck, and now it isn’t a thing, and it doesn’t have to be spoken about again.”
Stannard said there will be a target on his side’s back this weekend, but believes the side will be better for the experience of last year.
“There is obviously pressure to retain our title, but we do have a little experience,” Stannard said.
“There are also youngsters, and it is our job as senior players to make sure we go through the system with them, as we did last year.
“Nothing changes. We don’t go in knowing that we have won it before. It is a clean slate. It doesn’t change how hard we work, or change anything about how we play.
“We have one job to do, and that is win it again.”
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COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
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- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
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Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
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Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Stage result
1. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 4:42:34
2. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Hansgrohe
3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers
4. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) BikeExchange-Jayco
5. Emils Liepins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo
6. Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
7. Max Kanter (Ger) Movistar Team
8. Olav Kooij (Ned) Jumbo-Visma
9. Tom Devriendt (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux
10. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) UAE Team Emirate
TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
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if you go
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Mountain Classification Tour de France after Stage 8 on Saturday:
- 1. Lilian Calmejane (France / Direct Energie) 11
- 2. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana) 10
- 3. Daniel Martin (Ireland / Quick-Step) 8
- 4. Robert Gesink (Netherlands / LottoNL) 8
- 5. Warren Barguil (France / Sunweb) 7
- 6. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 6
- 7. Guillaume Martin (France / Wanty) 6
- 8. Jan Bakelants (Belgium / AG2R) 5
- 9. Serge Pauwels (Belgium / Dimension Data) 5
- 10. Richie Porte (Australia / BMC Racing) 4
More coverage from the Future Forum
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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The years Ramadan fell in May
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final
Esperance de Tunis 0
Al Ain 3 (Ahmed 02’, El Shahat 17’, Al Ahbabi 60’)
Results
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
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