What do you believe is the biggest challenge rugby faces in the UAE?

The Shaheen play a great deal of sevens rugby. Do you think World Cup qualification is a realistic goal down the line for the UAE? I am really enjoying it. That was the case once with Japan, and now they are playing in World Cups. The UAE have been entered as wildcards into September’s Asian Games. عرض ملف Steve Thompson الشخصي على LinkedIn، أكبر شبكة للمحترفين في العالم. As of yet, no. I have refocused my life to concentrate on my family and business career, and I do not have the time at the moment for something where I would be involved three nights a week. Here, the school system could provide play­ers who can go off to play at a professional level in other countries. I used to be a broker in London in the early Eighties, when no matter what you did in the City everyone was making a fortune. Could you tell me about your new role with the UAERF and how it came about? Steve Thompson is a veteran coach and player on the professional circuit with more than two decades of experience. The foundation of a top-tier polo academy was Thompson's dream, and allowed him to implement a training structure that would revolutionize how polo is taught worldwide. STEVE THOMPSON. Perhaps at international level, as it is not as regular a commitment. Dedicated to preserving, promoting and sharing the literature, art and culture of equestrian, angling and field sports. The process of competing at a higher level is similar to when you are a kid and you start playing against adults.

Do you think you could ever be tempted into taking on a regular position with a UAE Premiership club?

You got into coaching when you were still in England, didn’t you? Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

The UAE have got to be there, as we have such a big rugby community here. The committee contains guys who have been in the region for a long time, love rugby and have good business backgrounds. Yahoo is part of Verizon Media. Dubai resident and England’s 2003 World Cup winning hooker Steve Thompson will be trawling through the grounds in the coming months as part of his role on the UAE Rugby Federation’s eight-member ‘Strategic Advisory Committee’. The Dubai Sevens is the best tournament in the world. View the profiles of people named Steve Thompson. You have got to have an end goal, but you must be realistic. Since its foundation in 2006, the Club has rapidly established itself as a top destination for polo instruction and competition, receiving praise for its world-leading polo, dressage, show jumping, training, and livery facilities. Knowing you can win a medal at the Olym­pics or Commonwealth Games in the future for rugby sevens opens up the sport again. Steve Thompson, head coach at the Dubai Polo Academy, insists anyone can play the game. To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. It gives guidance as you can be in a bubble just playing in the UAE. The Club is an exclusive, world-class equestrian destination, offering experiences across equestrian disciplines. His lessons are not for the faint hearted but guarantee results.The Dubai Polo Academy is located at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club. After being invited to the group in Feb­ruary, it is great to have this small role now which will hopefully develop into something bigger when my children get older. Away from the polo field, Thompson is known widely for his animal conservation and rescue and rehabilitation efforts. But at the moment, I am enjoying dipping in and out with my part-time role with the UAERF. He founded the Dubai Polo Academy at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club in 2005, where he has trained both novices and champions of the "Sport of Kings." I work with a joinery company called Knight­swood in business development and with an operations company called Revive. Sign-up for NSLM e-mails and receive regular updates about our programs, exhibitions, and events, Address: 102 The Plains Road, Middleburg, VA 20117, Mailing Address: PO Box 1335, Middleburg, VA 20118. Steve Thompson. The National Sporting Library & Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

It is very different to 15-a-side, but it is a great way to get people into the game.

The 36-year-old will be on hand to offer expertise from a career spent competing professionally at the highest level. He founded the Dubai Polo Academy at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club in 2005, where he has trained both novices and champions of the "Sport of Kings." I have made a life plan with Mick Todd at 2B Limitless, who is a motivational speaker. It is a great social game, which taught me so much in life which I now use outside of rugby.

It is only in a small way at the moment. IPL 2020: Pace turning out to be key for teams as spin takes a backseat in the UAE, Man United have signed a potential superstar – A comprehensive scouting report on Amad Traore. How valu­able is the experience of playing interna­tional sport at that level? When the UAE Premiership season kicks off in September, there will be one interested observer better quali­fied than most to judge proceedings. Does seven-a-side rugby provide the perfect introduction to the sport? That is what I see rugby doing. It is about setting everything up correctly, and getting the correct foundations as it is still such a young game out here. It is very important, you want to be playing at the best level.

The Club has hosted prestigious polo events such as the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge, UAE Nations Cup, and Sunset Polo International. Photo by: Supplied. It is a massive eye-opener for me into a new way of life. We are here to get a medal one day, and in the long-term get into the World Cup. Steve Thompson. You might face a really tough game, but it shows you where you want to be. I had so many good years playing rugby, and I feel I have to give back. When the UAE Premiership season kicks off in September, there will be one interested observer better quali­fied than most to judge proceedings. These include how rugby should be run in the UAE, what tournaments we should be entering, how can we get more Emiratis into the game and how can we connect with non- Emiratis? What is life like for you now you are no longer a professional sportsman? He captains the Anantara Elephant Polo Team annually in Thailand to bring much needed awareness and funding to the plight of logging elephants in Asia. : Dubai reside We have seen with Russia and the United States what rugby sevens can do. That could change in the future.

He is known for his analytical, innovative, and creative teaching style. Join Facebook to connect with Steve Thompson and others you may know. I am really enjoying the opportunity. It is a challenge, but when it comes together it is an absolute pleasure to see it.

It is a goal, but it will be very hard in the short term when you look at the nations who have already missed out for next year’s event. Steve Thompson is a veteran coach and player on the professional circuit with more than two decades of experience.

In my opinion, it is bring­ing cultures together. Share. It is about showing the Emiratis the sport is not about big men knock­ing lumps out of each other. Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps. We should not shy away from sevens, it is an exciting game which is the best way to get a lot of Emiratis into the sport.

Rugby sevens is now an Olympic sport. We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development.

We caught up with Thompson to discuss the UAERF’s ambitious plans to continue the sport’s rapid devel­opment in the Emirates, his beliefs on what the UAE national team can achieve and how he is now tackling the business world.

You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. Dubai resident and England’s 2003 World Cup winning hooker Steve Thompson will be trawling through the grounds in the coming months as part of his role on the UAE Rugby Federation’s eight-member ‘Strategic Advisory Committee’. We pro­vide collective ideas [to the UAERF and the Ministry of Youth and Sport], with myself coming along as a rugby specialist.