The Yalla Sports Podcast
The Yalla Sports Podcast focuses on community sports across the region, covering everything from grassroots participation to experienced veterans. It presents itself as an online hub for people who celebrate sport at every level. The show aims to bring together athletes, clubs and schools through regular coverage and conversation.
Episodes
Inside Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 Powered by ADNOC Hosts the Next Wave of Sport
What happens when sport starts on a console… and finishes on the pitch?https://yallasports.ae/news/esports/abu-dhabi-to-host-games-of-the-future-this-december/In this Yalla Sports interview, event organiser Niccolò Nicotra breaks down Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 Powered by ADNOC — a new “phygital” competition format that blends digital gameplay + physical sport, with the final result decide
Conor Kennedy, UAE & Dubai Exiles Rugby Player on What it takes to play National level UAE Rugby
In this week's Podcast, I interview UAE Rugby Full-Back, Conor Kennedy. Conor was born in Zimbabwe and raised in the UAE since he was 3 years of age. He's been fulfilling a life long dream of playing for the UAE national rugby team in both 7s and 15s format. He's a Gulf Men's League Cup winner in the 2021 Dubai Sevens for the Dubai Exiles as well as a UAE Premiership winner in 2023
Is The West Asia Premiership Getting Better Or Worse?
In this episode, Alex Johnson and Grant Goes discuss whether the West Asia Premiership (West Asia Super Rugby) is getting better or worse.Share your thoughts with us as we look at the stats from the past 3 seasons.
Heroes of Hope with Hollie Murphy
I welcome Hollie Murphy, Founder and CEO of special needs academy - Heroes of Hope on to the first of our 2025 season of the Yalla Sports Podcast.
Andy Cole, a local legend of Arabian Gulf Rugby, takes us on a historical journey
Andy Cole, President of the Abu Dhabi Harlequins Rugby Club discusses the history of Arabian Gulf Rugby (AGR) before it was disbanded to become what is today's UAE Rugby Federation (UAERF)Get in touch email: hello@yallasports.ae Instagram: @yallasports_aeThanks for listening.More from Yalla Rugby
Episode 1 - Matt Born discusses the role of the RCC in UAE rugby as well as a special new league being launched for 2023/24
In this first episode of the new UAE rugby season, I interview Matt Born who is part of the Rugby Club Consortium or the RCC, which manages all aspects of domestic rugby in the UAE.
Matt discusses the role of the RCC in UAE rugby as well as a special new league that is to be launched this year, so stick around to find out more.
Get in touch email: alex.johnson@yallarugby.com Instagram: @yallarug
Episode 014 - Paul Hart - Legend of the Jebel Ali Dragons rugby club, talks about what he'd change within UAE Rugby and why he's a "one man club".
Yalla Rugby is the Podcast for Rugby Union in the UAE hosted by Alex Johnson & Neville O’Donoghue.Ep. 14: #YallaRugby with special guest, Paul Hart from the Jebel Ali Dragons rugby club in Dubai. 'Harty' talks us through how he found himself being thrust into the Dragons starting lineup over 13 years ago, when he first moved to the UAE from the UK, as well as discussing the changes ove
Episode 013 - Chanley Williams - Fly half for Dubai Tigers rugby club talks about South African rugby and what brought him to Dubai
Yalla Rugby is the Podcast for Rugby Union in the UAE hosted by Alex Johnson & Neville O’Donoghue.
Ep. 13: #YallaRugby with special guest, Fly Half for the Dubai Tigers rugby club, Chanley Williams. Chanley talks us through his academy days back in South Africa and signing for the Blue Bulls, before disaster struck which finally led him to start a new life in Dubai.
Get in touch email: alex.jo
Episode 012 - David Learman - Chairman of RAK Rugby club talks about rugby in Ras Al Khaimah and life back in the early days
Yalla Rugby is the Podcast for Rugby Union in the UAE hosted by Alex Johnson & Neville O’Donoghue.
Ep. 12: #YallaRugby with special guest, Chairman of RAK Rugby Club, David Learman. Dave talks us through the heritage and roots of Ras Al Khaimah rugby and how life has changed over the past 25 years in the United Arab Emirates.
Get in touch email: alex.johnson@yallarugby.com Instagram: @yallarug
Episode 011 - Henry Paul - the former dual code international rugby legend looks back on his formative years and his new life in Dubai
Yalla Rugby is the Podcast for Rugby Union in the UAE hosted by Alex Johnson & Neville O’Donoghue.
Ep. 11: #YallaRugby with special guest, dual code international rugby player, Henry Paul. He has won titles at Wigan Warriors, Bradford Bulls and Gloucester Rugby Club as well as representing England and New Zealand at international level. Now after coaching the Canadian 7s rugby team, and celebr
Episode 010 - Rocky Truter on getting the call from Eddie Jones and the real reason why the Hurricanes stepped down from the Premiership
Yalla Rugby is the Podcast for Rugby Union in the UAE hosted by Alex Johnson & Neville O’Donoghue.
Ep. 10: #YallaRugby with special guest Rocky Truter - Head Coach of the Dubai Hurricanes rugby club. Rocky tells us of his journey to Dubai, getting the call from Eddie Jones to join the England training camp before playing the Barbarians and the real reason why the Hurricanes dropped from the Pr
Episode 009 - Mike Cunningham - Chairman of Bahrain Rugby Club
Yalla Rugby is the Podcast for Rugby Union in the UAE hosted by Alex Johnson & Neville O’Donoghue.
Ep. 9: #YallaRugby with special guest Mike Cunningham - Chairman of Bahrain Rugby Club. Mike drops by to chat about his journey from Yorkshire to the Middle East more than 20 years ago.
Get in touch email: alex.johnson@yallarugby.com Instagram: @yallarugby - @rugbysmacks
Thanks for listening.
Mo
Episode 008 - David Gairn - Hooker for the Dubai Exiles Rugby Club
Yalla Rugby is the Podcast for Rugby Union in the UAE hosted by Alex Johnson & Neville O’Donoghue.
Ep. 8: #YallaRugby with special guest David Gairn - Hooker for the Exiles Rugby Club in Dubai. Dave drops by to chat about his thoughts on the game and the upcoming weekend UAE Premiership final in Al Ain.
Get in touch email: alex.johnson@yallarugby.com Instagram: @yallarugby - @rugbysmacks
Thank
Episode 007 - Matt Rubin - DOR of Barrelhouse Rugby Club in Dubai
Yalla Rugby is the Podcast for Rugby Union in the UAE hosted by Alex Johnson & Neville O’Donoghue.
Ep. 7: #YallaRugby with special guest Matthew Rubin - Director of Rugby for Barrelhouse Rugby Club in Dubai. Matt drops by to chat about life in the United Arab Emirates as well as dropping a few hints as to what's on the horizon for Barrelhouse.
The link for anyone interested in the MND 24 Hour
Episode 006 - Charlie Taylor - on bagging former England captain – Dylan Hartley as their Director of Rugby
Yalla Rugby is the Podcast for Rugby Union in the UAE hosted by Alex Johnson & Neville O’Donoghue.
Ep. 6: #YallaRugby with special guest Charlie Taylor - Chairman of the Dubai Sharks. Big Nev uncovers how on earth the Sharks managed to bag former England captain – Dylan Hartley as their Director of Rugby.
Get in touch email: alex.johnson@yallarugby.com Instagram: @yallarugby - @rugbysmacks
Tha
Episode 005 - Ross Samson and why he turned his back on his professional rugby career to move to Dubai
Yalla Rugby is the Podcast for Rugby Union in the UAE hosted by Alex Johnson & Neville O’Donoghue.
Ep. 5: #YallaRugby with special guest Ross Samson - Coach of the Jebel Ali Dragons, telling us of his journey through professional rugby in the UK to a new life in Dubai - Give it a Listen.
Get in touch email: alex.johnson@yallarugby.com Instagram: @yallarugby - @rugbysmacks
Thanks for listening.
<
Episode 004 - Aaron Persico talking about Abu Dhabi Small Blacks and his journey from International rugby to coaching in Dubai
Yalla Rugby is the Podcast for Rugby Union in the UAE hosted by Alex Johnson & Neville O’Donoghue.
Ep. 4: #YallaRugby with special guest Aaron Persico - Head of Rugby at the Abu Dhabi Small Blacks rugby club - Give it a Listen.
Get in touch email: alex.johnson@yallarugby.com Instagram: @yallarugby - @rugbysmacks
Thanks for listening.
More from Yalla Rugby
Episode 003 - Helen Amos on Womens Rugby in the UAE
Yalla Rugby is the Podcast for Rugby in the UAE hosted by Alex Johnson & Neville O’Donoghue.
Ep. 3: #YallaRugby with Special Guest Helen Amos - Head of the Women's Rugby in the United Arab Emirates - Give it a Listen.
Get in touch email: alex.johnson@yallarugby.com Instagram: @yallarugby - @rugbysmacks
Thanks for listening.
More from Yalla Rugby
Episode 002 - Eugene Deegan - Head of the UAE Rugby Referee's
Yalla Rugby is the Podcast for Rugby in the UAE hosted by Alex Johnson & Neville O’Donoghue.
Ep. 2: #YallaRugby with Special Guest Eugene Deegan - Head of the UAE Rugby Referees - Give it a Listen.
Get in touch email: alex.johnson@yallarugby.com Instagram: @yallarugby - @rugbysmacks
Thanks for listening.
More from Yalla Rugby
Apollo Perelini talks all things UAE Rugby
Join Alex and Nev as we interview special Guest Apollo Perelini - Give it a Listen.
Get in touch email: aj@yallasports.me
Instagram: @yallaruugby
Thanks for listening.
