Roelof Kotze has targeted an improvement as his young UAE sevens squad prepare to embark on the ARFU U20 Sevens Series.

Kotze’s young charges showed a marked upturn on their last outing in December and while he does not expect victory at either the Malaysia or Hong Kong leg of the series, he wants his team to compete with the top sides.

The UAE won two of seven games in Hong Kong in December, but the total margin of defeat in five losses was only 49 as they lost three games by just two points. Kotze blen-ded Emiratis and expatriates in 

December and the South African has made the decision to permanently re-introduce expats to the international sevens fold this season.

“We want to be in the top half of the competition. We should be there,” performance manager Kotze said. 

The Under-20s travel to Malaysia between August 15-16 and then head to Hong Kong between August 21-22.

Kotze added: “Third place is feasible for us, with the squad we have. This year’s squad is better than last year’s and that should put us in the top half, that’s where we want to go. Of course we want to win tournaments but let’s get in the top half and see where we go from there. 

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“Last year, teams were looking at the UAE and counting it as a game, and it didn’t turn out like that. This time we want to go there, really compete and be among the medals.”

Kenyan utility forward Kip Chirchir was one of the expats who featured for the U-20s in December and the 18-year-old is again training with the UAE in the hope of 
being selected for the final squad.

The Dubai English Speaking College student backed a podium finish is possible.

“Confidence is building. We have a plan, we know what we’re going to do. It will be tough but we can supersede what we did in December. I think we have a chance to win a medal,” he said.