It will be imperative for rugby teams competing at any level in the UAE this season to carry a trade licence.
Running a sporting club of any kind in the Emirates requires the licence, with a number of issues like insurance connected to it. But rugby union teams have in previous seasons been covered by the UAE Rugby Federation.
The UAE RF confirmed that any club competing in the UAE Premiership, UAE Conference or the newly formed third tier Community Cup in the 2015/16 season will now require a trade licence in order to operate, although it is believed that to be unrelated to the rugby league furore that erupted in April.
Dubai Exiles were said to be the first team to successfully apply for a trade licence, while every team in the Premiership and Conference is reported to have followed suit. Just a few teams in the Community Cup are said to still be in the process of getting one in place.
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Any team yet to have a trade licence has around six weeks to get one in place.
Trade licences first became an issue seven years ago when Dubai Striders – a UAE jogging club – were told they needed one to operate, despite arguing that they had been a club for 15 years.
The 2015/16 domestic season in the UAE kicks off with the new Community Cup, which gets under
way on Friday, September 18.
The UAE Premiership and Conference seasons begin a week later, on Friday, September 25.
