Rugby Lecturer raises funds with international vets at Dubai 7s

Rugby Lecturer Nikki Walker recently played in the international veterans pool of the Emirates Dubai Rugby 7s as part of the ‘100 World Legends’ charity project.

The ‘100 World Legends’ project was built up by David Higgins (from Glasgow) who for the past 5 years has been taking teams assembled from some of the world’s rugby greats to locations around the world, raising money for various charities.  Two teams travelled to the 2017 Dubai 7s – one sponsored team of 14 ex-internationals and one social team of 15.

On this occasion, the 100 World Legends charity teams were raising money for the now famous Doddie Weir’5 Discretionary Trust, founded to support Doddie Weir and his family as well as raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease (MND).  The team made it to the quarter finals where they were usurped by the ‘J9 Legends’ (who were set up to support Joost van der Westhuizen, who also suffered from MND but sadly passed away in February).

Nikki said:

“In total there were 28 different competitions going at the Dubai 7s – I was playing as part of the international veterans (35s and over) 10s team.  There was a serious attitude from everyone, especially when it came to the quarter finals.”

The experience not only gave Nikki the opportunity to soak in the atmosphere of the world-renowned three-day event, but also to network with key contacts and familiar faces in rugby. 

During the trip the teams also took the chance to visit a Dubai school, coaching pupils aged up to 14 years as well as carrying out some training – something which Nikki and his teammates hope will help to promote the sport to young people in Dubai.

To view the results from the tournament click here.