Elle Preston’s call-up to the UAE women’s rugby sevens squad has added another chapter to a family sporting story that has been developing in Dubai for nearly two decades.
The 18-year-old Dubai Hurricanes rugby player was named in the 13-player squad for the opening round of the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series in Suzhou, China, on August 29 and 30.
Her selection was confirmed earlier this week, when Yalla Sports announced the squad heading to China.
Preston will then remain on international duty at age-group level. She has also been selected for the UAE U18 side due to compete at the Asia Rugby Emirates U18 Sevens in Qingdao on September 5 and 6.
Asia Rugby has confirmed both tournaments will take place on consecutive weekends in China.
Elle’s progression means all three siblings of the Preston family have now represented the UAE at both age-group and senior level across rugby and netball.
She follows older brother Max and sister Charlie, who both came through Dubai’s community sports system before going on to represent the country.
Elle attended DESS and has played her club rugby with Dubai Hurricanes. Her development has also included time with Empire and Apollo Perelini rugby academies.
Her route has kept her close to the same rugby community in which Max developed.
Max Preston representing UAE Rugby 2022 in Uzbekistan
Max, the eldest of the three, was raised in the UAE from the age of three. He initially played Australian rules football before being encouraged to try rugby by a teacher at Jumeirah Primary School.
He later captained JESS Blues after returning to Dubai from Sedbergh School during the Covid period.
Max went on to captain the UAE U20 sevens side that won the Asian title in Angren, Uzbekistan, in 2022. The UAE beat the hosts 34-0 in the final as the men’s team completed the tournament unbeaten.
He also progressed into the senior UAE sevens set-up. Max was part of the side that won gold at the Phuket Sevens in 2022 and later represented the country at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Charlie Preston representing UAE Eyasses Netball
Charlie took a different sporting route.
A former Dubai College student and Desert Girls Netball Club player, she represented the UAE in netball at both U17 and senior level.
She captained the UAE Eyasses U17 side and was named MVP at the 2022 European Quadrangular in Newcastle, where the team finished with silver.
A year later, Charlie was named Player of Division One as the UAE won the 2023 Europe Netball Open Challenge in Cardiff.
She has since moved to Queensland, Australia, while Max is studying in Sydney.
Elle is now the youngest sibling to reach senior international level.
Their mother, Sam Preston, said seeing all three children represent the UAE was a source of huge pride for the family.
“The UAE has been our home for 20 years, and we are incredibly proud that all three have had the chance to represent the country that has given us so many opportunities.”
“The sports scene here has given them access to exceptional coaches and strong competition. People such as Lucia Sdao, Apollo Perelini and Jess Weaver have shared their experience with them, while schools, clubs, academies and events such as the Dubai Rugby Sevens have given them opportunities to compete and improve.”
“The opportunity is there if you want it, but they have also had to work hard for it.”
The Preston family have lived in the UAE for around 20 years, with rugby and netball forming a large part of their time in the country.
Elle’s two selections for China now bring that family connection with UAE representative sport into another generation of national teams.
