​18 December 2022

​

Dear members,

 

I was not present in 1982 when the Amblers first started, but I was there on the evening of 7th September 2007 at the opening of the new clubhouse. Let me share with you that special occasion.

Oh, what an evening it was! An auspicious milestone for our Al Ain Amblers! A 'who's who' in the expatriate community gathered to commemorate this very special event.

The chairman and club elders then: Stephen Arnott and Mark Smith, and the management of the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Resort declared the new facility open to a thunderous applause.

While welcoming everyone, they sincerely acknowledged the kindness and visionary leadership of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan for facilitating the needs of the rugby fraternity in Al Ain.

The clubhouse was literally packed to the rafters, and a lively party followed. A couple of the players, still in awe of the club's good fortune, rolled on the lawn and ground one (grounds two and three were later commissioned) and just stared up at the twinkling stars in wonder.

A 'home ground' at last! A real sense of belonging! Oh, how we celebrated this significant move from the old clubhouse at Al Ain English Speaking School (AAESS) to the current location off Tawam Street.

Old hands like George, Rob Botes and Marwan Daoud reminisced about those playing days on the sand pitch at the Danat Resort before the shift to the AAESS campus.

The members that evening were overwhelmed and so grateful to be a part of the AAESG facility. Our club's committee then indeed forged a wonderful partnership, and today we enjoy an internationally acclaimed clubhouse and grounds.

On the field, our first team was fighting above its weight and, in the 2009-2010 season, won all the silverware available, including the Veterans' Cup on Ground One at the Dubai 7s.

​