Season: 2018-19
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.
David Worrall
David arrived in the UAE during 1996 and played rugby initially in Abu Dhabi and later for Dubai Exiles; David represented the Arabian Gulf and UAE in international rugby fixtures including matches in the rugby World Cup in 1999 and during that year joined in with a group of rugby-playing friends to establish the Dubai Hurricanes; David has served as Secretary of the Board since 2015.
Professionally he works in the international oil industry as a petroleum engineer, technical manager and as CEO and Director of a public oil company on the Canadian and Norwegian stock exchanges. He has supported various local and international companies and new businesses as an entrepreneur and Director.
David is an active sailor and member of Dubai Offshore Sailing Club for 25-years, competing in local, national and international regattas. He has held committee positions, including Rear Commodore, and since 2013 held the position of Race Director of the annual Dubai to Muscat Offshore Sailing Race.
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.
