HSBC and UAE rugby federation launch first-ever Arabic Rugby Coaching Manual

The HSBC Rugby Coaching Manual will provide Emirati students with an introduction to the sport of rugby including laws, player positions, technical skills, nutrition tips to stay healthy, and promotion of the strong values associated with the sport, such as hardwork and teamwork.

The Arabic rugby guide launches today at Al Wasl Sports Club with young Emirati players from nine schools - Al Safa, Al Sharawi, Al Wuheida. Al Maarif, New World School, Hamdan bin Rashid, Mohammed bin Rashid, Dubai Secondary and Omar bin Al Khatab - attending to receive their first copy of the long-awaited Arabic manual.

"Through our partnership with HSBC, we are delighted to bring the very first Arabic language rugby guide to help develop our future rugby players and support their enthusiasm of the game," said Mohammed Falaknaz, UAE Rugby Federation Chairman.

"The rugby manual is aimed at supporting the journey of developing players who will eventually represent their country on a regional and international level," he added.

Marcus Hurry, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at HSBC UAE, said, "The HSBC Rugby Coaching Manual is designed to encourage Emirati students to learn the laws of the game and to contribute to a team sport. We hope that the manual will contribute to the growth of UAE rugby and more broadly, will help educate Arabic speaking players, their parents, teachers and friends, across the region on the benefits of being active and healthy, through playing rugby and learning important life skills."

The UAE Rugby Player Pathway Programme, which has aims of engaging with 2,400 school-aged Emirati players by the end of 2013, will also present all schools with an HSBC Starter Kit containing balls, bibs and boundary cones to support coaches and teachers encourage participation at Emirati schools.

HSBC is a long-standing supporter of rugby around the world, and in the Middle East the bank is helping to grow the game through a comprehensive year-round programme of rugby partnerships at all levels. HSBC supports the sport from the grass-roots level all the way through to acting as Main Sponsor and Official Bank of the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens.