The author had their first experience attending the Rugby Sevens tournament in Dubai. It far surpassed their expectations and was described as the biggest party in Dubai with fans from around the world dressed in elaborate costumes. Though initially unfamiliar with rugby, the author found it to be a fast-paced sport unlike anything they had seen before. As a media prefect, the author had privileged access to the event and enjoyed meeting rugby legends. The experience gave the author a newfound appreciation for rugby and they intend to attend again next year.

1. EMIRATES
RUGBY
SEVENS
EXPERIENCE
AMNA IJAZ

2. What a day! My Rugby Sevens experience was unlike I had
imagined it to be. It was my first time at the Sevens, so I had
no idea really what exactly I was in for but I had an idea of
the type of festivities that would take place from the stories I
had heard from my friends and family. But it wasn't anything
like my friends had described; it surpassed my expectations.
It was phenomenal. Rugby Sevens was akin to a big
party, maybe even the biggest party in Dubai with fans from
all over the globe dressed in elaborate, eye-catching
costumes to support their favourite teams.
I used to think Rugby was just like football without all the
protective gear. It’s not. Rugby is a totally different sport.

3. Rugby Sevens gives American
football a run for its money.
Rugby is so much easier to
understand for someone who
has never been to a game
before (like me), but if you
were to walk into a football
game for the first time you
would be lost the entire time.
Each game is only 15 minutes long. When I first heard that
I didn't believe it for a second. How much could they
possibly get done in 15 minutes? But the giant, rugged,
burly players run fast, faster than you can say Rugby
Sevens. It’s incessant action and if you take your eyes off
the field for a minute, you’ll notice two different countries
are playing.

4. The number of devoted fans I saw dressed
in these extravagant costumes was mindblowing. Funny enough, majority of the
costumes had nothing to do with rugby or
the country they were supporting. But they
spent a whole day sweltering under the
scorching Dubai sun to cheer on their
favourite teams.
Some
pictures
are from
Dubai 7’s
Instagram

5. It's the biggest sporting
event in Dubai and I am so
grateful to have been given
the chance to attend the
Rugby Sevens because of
Miss Guidera. Best decision I
ever made was to become a
media prefect. (Although, I
wish I had done it sooner.)

6. This experience gave me a whole new
perspective on rugby and sports
journalism. No schools other than
EISM proffer their students with the
opportunity to witness this fabulous
game as part of the press. We, (Ms.
Guidera and team), had access to the
whole (capacious) stadium. Our seats
were the best; if I extended my hand
all the way, I was endangering my life.

7. Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, we met some
(attractive) rugby legends. (I had no clue who they
were but I was flabbergasted when I found out later
on.) I am proud to say that I took a picture with Doug
Howett, the all-time scorer for All Blacks.
Bragging is not good, but that’s all I did after the game.
Everyone I know knows about my fantastic experience
at the Rugby Sevens. I was never a rugby fan
before, but I promise you, I definitely am now and will
be forevermore. You can expect to find me in the front
seats next year cheering my head off.
With thanks to Donal Kilalea, Peter Jones and Sarah
Case Upton at Promo Sevens Marketing for giving the
students of Emirates International School - Meadows
an extraordinary weekend.
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