Abu Dhabi’s oldest rugby club at 56: How the Harlequins became family to expats
Before they were the Harlequins, they were the Bats. The history of Abu Dhabi’ s oldest rugby club is written in memories, in the minutes of old meetings and in sands that have long since shifted. It began in 1970. There was no formal kickoff, and there has never been a final whistle. Nick Davies, one of its earliest members, remembers those first days. “We used to play under the lights, and so…
Abu Dhabi's oldest rugby club, Harlequins, celebrates its 56th year in 2026. The club's journey began in 1970 when a group of expats, including Nick Davies, started playing daily rugby games under the lights. Initially, they played on sand near the airport, with no formal pitches or training grounds. The club's early days were marked by camaraderie and cultural exchange, as expats from various countries bonded on the field.
Andy Cole, who joined in the early 1990s and served as captain, recalls the club's humble beginnings and its reputation as a force in the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union. Women's teams were established in the mid-1990s, and by 2016, Harlequins had grown to over 800 players, with teams for men, women, and children as young as six.
Today, the club calls Zayed Sports City home and hosts Garland dinners to celebrate the end of each season. The club's spirit of belonging and resilience is passed down to a new generation, with families finding a sense of community and personal growth through rugby.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
