The Abu Dhabi Harlequins are one of The UAE’s longest running rugby clubs. A grass roots, not for profit, club that is run by volunteers. The Harlequins were established in 1970 and were founder members of the orginal Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union, which is now the UAE Rugby Federation. Back then, they were called the Abu Dhabi Bats Rugby Club but changed their name to the Abu Dhabi Harlequins Rugby Club in 2008 when they became affiliated with the London Harlequins in the UK. The Abu Dhabi Harlequins RFC badge still bears the bat logo.