Turning group into team

There has been an emphasis on the importance of the collective during the course of the Etihad Airways junior rugby tournament. Philip Cheung / The National

ABU DHABI // Teamwork in sports which will encourage more effort towards a collective objective than personal gains is what a game is all about. And that is exactly what the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Harlequins junior rugby tournament had on offer over two entertaining days at the Al Ghazal Golf Club.

The tournament, in its fourth year, took off with unprecedented enthusiasm and great expectation from the participants - numbering more than 1,500 - who were all agog to scrum down, ruck and maul. The jubilant teams were well supported too and the large numbers participating brought the game to another extraordinary level to show how buoyant the new generation can be with the rough and tumble of the game.

In all age groups from under 7 through to under 19s, Abu Dhabi Harlequins put in some strong performances reaching the final of seven out of the 10 age groups. Many players from Abu Dhabi also picked up the awards for HSBC Player of the Tournament and Audi Try of the Tournament. [e-mail]