Job: Club Chairman
Mike Wernham
Educated at Sedbergh school Mike represented England U18s and was part of the Sale Sharks’ Academy before moving onto Northampton Saints, playing in the Premiership A-league and studying at Loughborough University; Here he represented England Universities and qualified as a PE teacher. Mike went on to become a World Rugby Level-3 Coach and has worked with some highly ranked players and teams. Having joined Dubai Hurricanes in 2016, Mike returned to the Director of Rugby position in 2022.
Professionally Mike has worked in both England and Dubai as Head of Rugby, and PE teacher. Currently he is Head of Secondary Sport at JESS Dubai.
Dr Alan Kourie
Dr Alan Kourie is Dubai Hurricanes Chief Medical Office and (with Sean Heckford) sits on the UAE RF Medical Committe (MEDCOM).
Professionaly Alan is Head of the Sports Medicine Department at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital, overseeing a multi-disciplinary sports medicine team. He has been involved with elite standard sports at national and international level and has most recently completed eight years with the South African Rugby Union and as Team Physician and Head of Medical for the Natal Sharks Rugby Union team who compete in the Super Rugby tournament, often described as the world’s toughest club rugby competition.
He comes with a wealth of experience in all sports and sports injuries, including advanced level concussion management. His department also drives the ‘Exercise as Medicine’ approach to lifestyle management for chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure as well as weight reduction and general wellbeing.
At Mediclinic Dr Alan utilises his experience with elite level sport to provide accurate diagnoses and management plans for athletes of all ages, whether professional, recreational or anyone wishing to take part in exercise safely, with regard to injuries, illnesses and overtraining symptoms as well as injury prevention strategies. He has built a world class, comprehensive Sports and Exercise Medicine team that provides an ethical and trusted service to all.
Jim Dickinson
Jim joined the Dubai Hurricanes in 2010, coaching in the Mini’s section, before taking on the role of Mini & Youth Chairman in 2017 and Tournament Director of the HSBC Rugby Festival Dubai; In 2021-22 season Jim took over the role of Club Vice Chairman.
An England RFU level 3 coach, Jim is a passionate advocate of girls and women’s sport, and acts as Lead Coach of club’s U18 Girls squad. Jim sits on the UAE RF Mini & Youth committee and continues to support the HSBC tournament as a committee member.
Professionally, Jim is the Global Commercial Leader for Reacton Fire Suppression Ltd, an international fire products manufacturer; He has been residing in the UAE for the past 14 years.
Peter Clapp
Peter joined Dubai Hurricanes as a coach in the ‘Minis’ during 2012 before taking on the role of Mini & Youth Chairman (and Tournament Director of HSBC Rugby Festival) from 2015 – later acting as Vice Chairman (from 2017) and Club Chairman from the beginning of the 2020-21 season. Peter remains an active coach, squad manager and Touch player, former Chairman of the UAE Rugby Mini & Youth Committee, and member of the UAE Rugby Club Consortium working group.
Professionally he is Vice President (Operations Director) of Parsons Corporation in the Middle East & Africa; He was previously the head of Project Excellence and Controls, sat on Parsons’ cross Business-Unit ‘Leadership Council’ and acted as a major Programme Director. Pete begun his career with BAE Systems in the UK and has been with Parsons MEA since 2011.