Minis and Youth

Mini & Youth Rugby

Rugby / Minis and Youth

Sparking a lifelong passion for rugby from 3 to 18 years old

Dubai Hurricanes Mini & Youth Rugby extends a warm welcome to all, irrespective of ability or skill level.

With a strong emphasis on player development and enjoyment, winning is considered as a reward for hard work, not as a necessity. Our player pathway is focused on developing young rugby players from as young as 4 years old all the way through to 18 year-olds crossing over into the senior game. Led by a combination of volunteer and specialized senior coaches, we maintain a strong community culture and provide players with elite development of technical, physical, tactical, mental and emotional skills.

Our success is gauged by the recurring enthusiasm of our players each week and the members that have been with us since our founding in 1999.

TRAINING TIMES AND LOCATION

All training takes place at the world class Sevens Stadium on Saturday mornings from 8 to 11 am. For U9s and above, we run a second weekly session on Tuesday evenings between 6 to 9 pm.

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TRY US OUT!

Join us for a complimentary taster session and let your Hurricanes experience begin!  

IF YOU ARE READY TO SIGN UP

CULTURE

We are dedicated to cultivating a competitive yet enjoyable environment, fostering a strong sense of team camaraderie within player groups, and instilling a deep identity with the Dubai Hurricanes. Respect is paramount in our interactions with players, coaches, referees, and parents. We take pride in recognising and celebrating successes, from individual skill achievements to triumphant tournament performances.

Our overarching goal for each season is to witness improvement in the core skills of every player and to create lasting memories of the joy derived from rugby. Developing and modelling core rugby values remains our top priority throughout all sections of the club. 

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

We run training once or twice a week at the Dubai Sevens Stadium, depending on the age grade of the players. Even with a large number of volunteer coaches and certified first aiders, we actively encourage parental involvement. The club supports those interested in obtaining qualifications, whether as a first aider, coach, or manager, ensuring there are ample resources for all players to have a great time.

From U11 up, senior, specialized coaches are assigned to each age group to provide elite development pathways.

Our focus is on the growth of players, steering them towards mastery of the full 15-aside and Sevens games. We prioritise the development of essential skills such as running, passing, catching, and tackling, aiming to create well-rounded players. Actively participating in tournaments across the UAE is a key component of our strategy, providing valuable experiences for all players.

SELECTION

For older age groups, selection is a competitive process based on form, attitude, and attendance. Players who perform exceptionally well may find opportunities to progress to higher squads. Absence from training, matches or tournaments may influence squad placement, ensuring a dynamic and merit-based approach. We encourage squad movement to provide players with diverse environments and roles. This strategy not only supports skill development but also nurtures leadership, responsibility, and proficiency in various team positions.

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TRY US OUT!

Join us for a complimentary taster session and let your Hurricanes experience begin!  

IF YOU ARE READY FOR SIGNUP

Mini Rugby (U4 - U8)

Embarking on the exciting journey of Mini Rugby, our young athletes form the vibrant heart of our Mini section. Comprising squads brimming with enthusiasm, including U4s, U5s, U6s, U7s, and U8s, our program is crafted to instil a love for the game while focusing on essential fundamentals.

At the core of Mini Rugby, we prioritise themes of FUN, basic skills, game understanding, and emotional development, all within a secure and nurturing environment. U6 and above also participate in tournaments around the UAE each season, adding an extra layer of thrill and competition.

Using the TAG format of the game (and ‘Quick Rip’ for U8s – similar to 7-a-side-rugby but without the contact) we help these young players develop their capabilities in the following areas:

  • Technical:
    • Individual skills
    • Introduction to continuity
  • Tactical:
    • Pass backwards
    • Go forward
    • Support
    • Continuity
    • Offside
  • Physical:
    • ABCs of movement
    • Flexibility, speed and locomotion
  • Mental:
    • Self-confidence
    • Self-Esteem
    • Positive attitude for sport
    • Tolerance
  • Emotional:
    • Overcoming the fear of being ‘tackled’ (non contact)
    • Social skills

Junior Rugby (U9 - U12)

In our Junior Rugby section, the journey continues for young athletes eager to embrace the thrill of the game and develop their skills, including the contact element. Our inclusive program features mixed contact rugby from U9 up, and a dedicated ‘Quick Rip’ squad for girls who prefer not to pursue the contact pathway.  

At the core of this developmental stage, we prioritize FUN, safety, core skills, game understanding, and emotional growth. Our coaching philosophy centres on holistic development, encompassing technical, tactical, physical, mental, and emotional aspects of the game. Progressing from the tag rugby format, players learn individual skills, including tackling and positional play and become familiar with scrums, line-outs, rucks, and mauls. This foundational knowledge allows players to develop an understanding of team dynamics, including shape, possession, and continuity. 

Progressing from the touch format of the game players are already familiar with what a scrum, line-out, ruck and maul are.  This allows us to focus on the:

  • Technical:
    • Individual skills
    • Introduction to tackling
    • Introduction to unit skills
    • Introduction to continuity
    • Introduction to positional skills
  • Tactical:
    • Pass backwards
    • Offside
    • Go forward
    • Support
    • Continuity
    • Principles of attack and defence
  • Physical:
    • ABCs of movement
    • Co-ordinate & manipulation
    • Flexibility, Speed and Locomotion
    • Warm up and cool down
  • Mental:
    • Self-confidence
    • Self-Esteem
    • Positive attitude for sport
    • Tolerance
  • Emotional:
    • Overcoming the fear of contact
    • Social skills
    • Self-control and fairness
    • Creative thinking

Also, from U12 and up, international rugby tours are encouraged to develop a broader understanding of the game, test player skills, and build lifelong memories.

Youth Rugby (U13 - U18)

Our youth sections align with UAE school age grades providing ongoing rugby enjoyment for players of all levels, including the below squads:

Boys

  • U13
  • U14
  • U15-16
  • U18

Girls

  • U14 Quick Rip
  • U16 Quick Rip 
  • U16 Contact
  • U18 Contact

Our training sessions, held on both Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings at the renowned Sevens Stadium on Al Ain Road, Dubai, are the cornerstone  of our programme. Here, players can continue to enjoy the game and also transition into a more serious phase of their rugby journey, with elite coaching from ex-professional and international player/coaches who further develop an understanding of the game, including more specialized positional training. 

Developing and modelling core rugby values remains our top priority throughout all sections of the club.