The CEO of the UAE Rugby Federation, Head Coach of the National Teams, Apollo Perilini, has resigned from his post after a decade of developing the sport within the country. During this time, he created a professional model that helped reshape the Emirati rugby system at the level of national teams, technical structure, and youth programs.
The Rugby Federation did not state the reason for the resignation, but said in a press statement that «since joining the Federation 10 years ago, Perilini worked to implement a comprehensive development plan that strengthened the technical structure of the national teams, laid clear foundations for discovering and nurturing talent, and his efforts contributed to elevating the level of the national teams and improving the team's ranking from 105th in the world upon taking up the post to 40th in the world, marking one of the most significant ranking jumps in the history of Emirati rugby».
The Federation's Secretary-General, Mohammed Sultan Al Zaabi, confirmed that Perilini left a significant technical and organizational legacy, noting that his fingerprints are present in all programs witnessed by the national teams system over the past decade.
He added: «The success of the teams in winning continental podiums and presenting strong levels on the Asian scene is a direct result of the systematic work led by Perilini, along with the development programs that contributed to discovering and preparing national players through the Schools project, all the way up to the teams, especially the men's 'Shaheen' and women's 'Meha' teams».
Al Zaabi also stated that the Federation will announce the identity of the coach who will lead the national teams in the next phase in the coming period, ensuring the continued upward trajectory of the game internally and externally.
For his part, Apollo Perilini said: «We worked with the spirit of one team, and we achieved clear progress in the Schools project, which opened the door for many national players to reach the national teams. What was achieved was thanks to the cooperation of the Federation's management and the efforts of the coaching staff who accompanied me throughout my journey».
