🌟 Oman Rugby Youth Centres Officially Launched — A New Era for Grassroots Rugby in the Sultanate

Muscat, Oman — May 2025

The future of rugby in the Sultanate of Oman took a bold and inspiring step forward this month, as Oman Rugby proudly launched the first-ever Oman Rugby Youth Centres. This landmark initiative is dedicated to nurturing young Omani talent and building a sustainable grassroots foundation for the sport across the nation.

Backed by the Ministry of Culture, Sport & Youth’s “Youth Talent Project”, and led by Oman Rugby’s development team, the Youth Centres mark the beginning of a structured national pathway for children to discover, learn, and grow through the game of rugby.

📍 Two Centres, One Vision

The initial rollout of the Oman Rugby Youth Centres features two regional hubs:

• Muscat – Bashar Centre

• Sharqiyah – Dtaeen Centre

Each centre currently hosts two teams — Under-13 (U13) and Over-13 (O13) — with training sessions taking place twice per week. Designed specifically for Omani boys and girls with no prior rugby experience, the program focuses on fun, fitness, discipline, and teamwork, all through the dynamic lens of rugby sevens.

🧪 Talent Discovery: 600+ Students Reached

Before the centres opened their doors, Oman Rugby conducted a wide-reaching physical testing campaign in schools surrounding each region. Over 600 Omani students were introduced to the sport, and more than 300 children participated in structured fitness and coordination testing led by Oman Rugby coaches.

From these, selected students were invited to join the Youth Centres, forming the first generation of Oman’s youth rugby players.

“Grassroots is the underpinning of any sport,” said Chairman Nabil Al Busaidi.

“The centres we have established here are a testament to the plans we have to grow rugby in the Sultanate of Oman. This is only the beginning.”

👨‍🏫 Local Coaches, Local Leaders

Oman Rugby is proud to have two Omani coaches leading the charge at the centres:

• Ali Said Al Dhakhri – Head Coach at Dtaeen Centre (Sharqiyah)

• Mohammed Rahib Al Hashimi – Head Coach at Bashar Centre (Muscat)

Both coaches are mentored and overseen by Head of Rugby, Brian Hopkins, ensuring that coaching standards, safety, and player development follow international best practice.

This model not only helps grow the game on the pitch but also builds coaching capacity and leadership within the Omani community.

🚀 What’s Next? Expansion & Opportunity

This is only the start.

Oman Rugby plans to launch a third Youth Centre in September 2025, with long-term ambitions to establish more hubs across the country. The Youth Centres will soon begin inter-centre matches and festivals, introducing players to competitive play and team bonding — all while wearing the Oman Rugby badge with pride.

These steps are part of a long-term vision: to identify and develop future national players, referees, and rugby ambassadors, creating a vibrant rugby culture built from the ground up.

📸 Follow the Journey

Photos from the launch events on May 13th (Muscat) and May 14th (Dtaeen) capture the energy, excitement, and potential of the young athletes as they stepped onto the pitch for the first time. These will be shared across Oman Rugby’s social media platforms and website in the coming days.

🏉 Final Word

The Oman Rugby Youth Centres are more than just training grounds — they are gateways to opportunity, confidence, and community. With local talent, national support, and an international vision, rugby in Oman is building toward a stronger, more inclusive future — one child at a time.

🔗 Stay connected with @OmanRugby on Instagram and Facebook for photos, player stories, and future announcements.

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