DUBAI // The rugby union community is in mourning following the death of Neil Palmer, an influential figure in the development of the sport in the country.
Palmer, 45, the founder of the Arabian Knights Rugby Football Club, died at his home in Victory Heights, Dubai on Friday.
Messages of condolences and praise for his accomplishments began appearing in social media when news of his death was announced.
Qais Al Dhalai, secretary general of the UAE Rugby Federation, paid tribute to Palmer’s work.
“He was one of the best club chairmen I have ever met, in terms of mentality and in terms of an open mind to Emirati development,” he said.
Palmer was raised by British parents in Muscat. He spent a number of years in Hong Kong before arriving in the UAE, where he began establishing himself in the local rugby scene.
Along with his wife Louise and some friends, he started the Arabian Knights Rugby Football Club in Dubai in 2008, later becoming the club chairman.
Mr Al Dhalai said Palmer was a member of the federation’s strategic advisory committee, which “looks at rugby as a whole” in the country, overseeing administration, finance, media and marketing.
“This committee was a high- profile one, and he was a part of it,” he said. “He was one of the best individuals in the UAE rugby fraternity.”
Last year, Palmer and Mr Al Dhalai signed an agreement that committed the Arabian Knights to the federation’s goal of further integrating Emirati players into the country’s domestic clubs.
Mr Al Dhalai said one of Palmer’s biggest accomplishments was his role in assembling the first all-Emirati female team, consisting of girls aged 15 and 16.
“We all really miss Neil,” he said.
Ian Inglis, Arabian Knights youth chairman, said Palmer’s contributions to the sport had been recognised both at home and abroad.
“His drive for rugby has created the Arabian Knights club as it stands today,” he said.
“His ethos for rugby was magnificent. It’s not always about winning, it’s about the taking part.”
Palmer had also helped the Arabian Knights take part in charity drives to support underprivileged children in Mongolia and Vietnam.
“It will be difficult to replace him, but the UAE is a country of rugby fanatics,” said Mr Inglis. “With time, we’ll reconvene to carry on Neil’s legacy.”
A message posted by Mr Inglis on the Arabian Knight’s website read: “Neil’s passion and drive have carried the club forward to where we are today. His tagline of ‘Gooooo Knights’ will reign forever. No one person will be able to replace him.
“This is a painful loss for his family, friends and the whole rugby community. We can only take comfort in his extraordinary legacy and continue to do our very best to carry on the ethos with which Neil founded the Arabian Knights RFC.”
Tyson Byrne, captain of the Arabian Knights men’s squad, said Palmer possessed qualities that brought out the best in him as a player on the field.
“He was a leader, standard-setter, motivator, he had it all,” he said. “He was always on the sidelines, shouting abuse, but the abuse you needed to hear.
“Other faces will come and go, but he left his mark.”
As well as his wife, Palmer is survived by two sons, Maximilian and Roman.
esamoglou@thenational.ae