Preparations on for DHL Memorial Fixture | DILMUN TIMES

ACTIVITY at Bahrain Rugby Football Club (RFC) in Saar will crank up a notch or two over the coming days, as the annual DHL Memorial Fixture edges ever closer.The history of matches between Bahrain and the DHL Barbarians dates back to 1981, but the occasion petered out for a time in the intervening years.It was re-established in 2009, following the tragic deaths of DHL employees Jason Bresler, David Giles and Mohammed Shafiq in Afghanistan in October 2008.

Since then, DHL Middle East and Bahrain RFC have come together every year to honour the memories of the three men and raise money for local charities.Over the last three years funds raised by the games have been donated to the likes of St Christopher’s Church, the Red Crescent Society and the Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA), at the request of the families of Bresler, Giles and Shafiq.Although rejuvenated as a way for the DHL family to pay tribute to their fallen colleagues, with the support of Bahrain RFC, the annual memorial match-up has also firmly established itself as the official sign-off event of the club’s season.

This year in fact, it will take pride of place as one of the feature events in the week-long celebration of Bahrain RFC’s 40th Anniversary.

The anniversary celebrations get underway with a welcome reception for members, returning members and friends of the club on May 14.

This night will also see the unveiling of a special honours board to recognise over 120 international players, including legends of the game like Willie John McBride, David Duckham, JPR Williams, Sean Fitzpatrick and Nick Farr-Jones, who have visited the club in the last 40 years.

May 16 will see the Bahrain RFC Golden Oldies take to the field for an interclub, exhibition game, to be followed by BMMI Schutzenfest and live music from the Dubai-based musician, The Paddyman.

The club’s annual End-of-Season-Ball will take place at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Manama on May 17, before the DHL Memorial Match the following day.

The festivities will conclude with a Hawaiian-themed party around the club’s swimming pool on Saturday, May 19.

For more information on the DHL Memorial Fixture or any of the other events taking place as part of Bahrain RFC’s 40th Anniversary celebrations, contact the club on 17695809.

This entry was posted on April 26, 2012 at 7:37 am and is filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.