Girls rugby has a role model

 #RESPECT 

23/09/2021

Meet Carmela a role model for young girls interested in rugby across the UAE and also the Captain for the U18 Girls UAE squad who just won the Asia 7s.

The UAE U18 Girls’ team played Rugby 7s in Uzbekistan against girls’ teams from Kazakhstan, Kurdistan and India and won the whole competition bringing the trophy home for the UAE.

Asked about the win, Carmela said, “it was a really proud moment when I was picked as Captain. I really wanted to lead the team as I had put in a lot of effort and I was obviously delighted when we managed to win the tournament.  In the semis, we were two tries down at half-time but I managed to keep the team energised and motivated and we managed to win by three tries to two.

Carmela is 100% committed to her rugby. “I started playing when I was just six, playing on the side of the pitch with my Dad while my brother played. I play for JESS Girl’s Rugby Team and also for the Falcons UAE team so I am training every day and have specific rugby training 3 times a week. JESS are very supportive if I need to manage my training and commitments.

Playing fly half, Carmela is well placed behind the ruck or the scrum to manage the game and get messages to the team quickly to direct the game.

“I love playing rugby, the physicality of it and the sense of belonging it brings, you are playing with girls who all have similar interests to you,” explained Carmela.  More and more I am seeing girls take an interest in Rugby and realising they can play and dream big.”

After Carmela finishes her BTEC in Sport, she plans to study Sport and Sports Science,  but her dream has always been to play rugby for England. JESS Head of Sport, Mr Joshua Elliot summarised this success, “Carmela is an incredibly strong and talented player as well as a bright and studious student.  Being Captain of the UAE U18 girls’ team and leading them to this success is a great and well-deserved accolade. Carmela has a huge amount of potential and she is certainly a name to watch in women’s Rugby.

#TeamJESS #MakingnADifference #JESSRugby #JESSSuccess