JOIN A CLUB
Get some exercise and make new friends at the same time
American football
You can play full-contact gridiron in the seven emirates, and Abu Dhabi is home to two teams – the Scorpions and the Wildcats – while Al Ain also has an outfit (the Desert Foxes). The teams are on the lookout for new players and pre-season training started September 27.
Middle East Touch
Touch rugby has grown in popularity in the UAE in the past few years, and the teams here are part of the sport’s governing body, meaning they play by the same rules as touch rugby teams all over the world. It’s a fun workout, and minimalcontact. This month check out the second annual Middle East Touch Championship at Al Ghazal Golf Club, with 48 local and regional teams competing and special children’s clinics.
October 22, 23
Al Ghazal Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, timings vary, Dhs1,200 team entry, Dhs150 for children’s skill lessons, free for spectators. Tel: (050) 4778571. Taxi: Close to Abu Dhabi International Airport, Terminal 2. facebook.com/ Midd leEastTouchChampionships
Dragon boat racing
Fancy learning a new skill and getting fit while you do it? Dragon boat racing is a team sport that originated in China, where long, narrow boats compete against each other, in both sprint and endurance races. “We practise in the water break area close to Marina Mall. Practice is one hour and we meet four times a week. We also practise off the boat and do land training including running and boot camps to make sure everyone is fit and strong at the same time,” says Thair Haikal, team captain for the Capital Dragons Abu Dhabi.
capitaldragons.weebly.com
Gaelic football
Learn to play Gaelic football (even if you aren’t Irish) with the Abu Dhabi Na Fianna. Ireland’s team sport is a cross between rugby and football. The club travels around the GCC competing in tournaments and has teams for men, women and children. Training sessions take place at Zayed Sports City. A year’s membership is Dhs1,000.
facebook.com/ abudhabinafiannagaaclub