United Arab Emirates national rugby league team
Encyclopedia
The United Arab Emirates National Rugby League team, also known as The Falcons, represents the United Arab Emirates
in the sport of rugby league football.
. As a result, a number of new nations took up the sport. The UAE was an early participant in this trend, playing their first international match in March 2008.
Lacking an established rugby league tradition in the Emirates, the Falcons were initially made up a mixture of natives and expatriates from England
, South Africa
and other Commonwealth
countries. Most notable amongst these is Wayne McDonald
, former captain of the Scottish national team
and star in the Super League
in Europe.
Sol Mokdad is the Director of Development of the Emirates Rugby League
. Taking on this role in November 2007, Sol has steadily developed interest and awareness in the sport.
2009 Falcons vs. Espoir Series
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
in the sport of rugby league football.
History
The sport of rugby league enjoyed a surge in popularity surrounding the 2008 Rugby League World Cup2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
. As a result, a number of new nations took up the sport. The UAE was an early participant in this trend, playing their first international match in March 2008.
Lacking an established rugby league tradition in the Emirates, the Falcons were initially made up a mixture of natives and expatriates from England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and other Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
countries. Most notable amongst these is Wayne McDonald
Wayne McDonald
Wayne McDonald is a former rugby league footballer, recently he played for the Campbelltown City Kangaroos in Australia. McDonald played over 175 games in the Super League in the 1990s and 2000s. He played club football for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Hull Sharks, St Helens, Leeds Rhinos, Wigan...
, former captain of the Scottish national team
Scotland national rugby league team
The Scotland national rugby league team represent Scotland in international rugby league football tournaments. The team is run under the auspices of the Scotland Rugby League, and are nicknamed The Bravehearts. Scotland are not regarded as a test nation...
and star in the Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
in Europe.
Sol Mokdad is the Director of Development of the Emirates Rugby League
Emirates Rugby League
Emirates Rugby League is the governing body for rugby league in the United Arab Emirates.Operating under the auspices of the Rugby League European Federation’s Euro Med Department, the ERL governs rugby league at all levels in the UAE, from the national team to the development of school and youth...
. Taking on this role in November 2007, Sol has steadily developed interest and awareness in the sport.
International Results
The Falcons first international series was a three match series against the Liban Espoir, the Lebanese domestic representative team, in the 2009. The first match of the series ended early, after an on-field brawl prompted the referee to call the game off after 56 minutes of play.2009 Falcons vs. Espoir Series
- UAE Falcons 16 - 6 Liban Espoir (Suspended in the 56th minute) - Dubai, UAE - (4 July 2009)
- UAE Falcons 34 - 10 Liban Espoir - Dubai, UAE - (25 July 2009)
- Liban Espoir v. UAE Falcons - Lebanon - (15 August 2009)
| Team | P | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liban Espoir | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| UAE Falcons | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |