S22 Family | Speranza 22

Jarel Hemehema

First Five / Full Back

Jarel is making his S22 debut in 2017

Renata Roberts Te-Nana

Full Back / First Five

Reni is making his S22 debut in 2017

Orlando Speranza

Marco's Dad

"Thank you Marco, for being my son in this short period of my life. You are here with the Speranza 22 Team, your team, to inspire wonderful people with a wonderful soul!

Love you Lecheria"

Stella

Marco's Mom

''I can see Marco in all of the S22 boys''

Agostina and Nadia Speranza

Marco's sisters

''We were lucky to have our best friend as our bother.''

Rory Greene

Manager & S22 Original

S22 Involvement: 4 (2013,2014,2015,2016, 2017)

Rory coached Marco and the exceptional U19 team in 2009. He currently lives and works in Abu Dhabi and alongside running S22 he is also the current Manager of the Abu Dhabi Harlequins Men's 1st XV team.

Adam Hughes

Manager & S22 Original

S22 Involvement: 3 (2013,2014,2015)

Adam coached Marco and the exceptional U19 Abu Dhabi Harlequins of 2009. Having spent many years in Abu Dhabi, Adam and his family returned to Australia in 2016 which meant he could not make the 2016 tournament. Whilst S22 missed him, the Heineken Tent definitely did, as they reported a slump in profits for the first time!

Patrick Milton

Physio & Support

S22 Caps:4 (2013,2014,2015,2016)

Pat "The Magician" Milton is an exceptional physio who currently works and lives in Abu Dhabi with his family. Not only does he look after S22 at the 7s but he also patches up, repairs and generally maintains all of the Abu Dhabi Harlequins teams and affiliate sides, numbering over 10 teams! There is no person who works harder over the 7s weekend and he can often be seen hurdling pitch fences to rescue cameramen who have collapsed in the heat or patching up other poor people who have enjoyed the festivities of the 7s a little too much. Not all heroes wear capes!!!

Richard Foulds

Main Sponsor

S22 Involvement: 3 (2014,2015,2016)

Rich has been instrumental in gaining sponsorship for S22 since 2014. As the main sponsor himself, he has been a fantastic support to S22 ever since. He enjoys the 7s and seems to get more vocal as the day progresses, nothing to do with his numerous visits to the refreshment tents. Rich lives in Abu Dhabi with his wife and two sons, both of whom are at Bromsgrove School in the UK.

Fraser Doake

Flanker & S22 Original

S22 Caps: 5 (2013,2014,2015,2016,2017)

Fraser is an original S22 member having played with Marco at Abu Dhabi Harlequins U19s. Fraser is one of the most capped S22 players, having played in every Dubai 7s since 2013. An eternal student, Fraser is completing his studies in New Zealand in some form of PhD in a subject we can't pronounce let alone spell. Yes, an S22 member with brains as well as brawn!!!

Ignacio Costa

Half Back & S22 Original

S22 Caps: 3 (2013,2014,2017)

Ignacio "Nacho" Costa is the middle of the 3 Costa brothers. An original from the outstanding 2009 U19 team he is an exceptional talent who keeps his older and younger brothers on their toes. Currently excelling on the 7s circuit in New Zealand where he represented Auckland 7s alongside his two brothers. Instrumental in bringing Marco into the game of rugby where Nacho proved that attending more rugby sessions than school classes does not always mean you won't make a success of life!

Kyle Knox

Flanker & S22 Original

S22 Caps: 2 (2013, 2015)

Kyle "Skipper" Knox is an original S22 member having Captained the original Abu Dhabi Harlequins U19 side in 2009. Deceptively quick in his day and a great leader, he is slowly moving up the pack having played for Abu Dhabi Harlequins senior team in 2015/16 at hooker and in the back row. He is still quick to the bar though.....

Rodrigo Costa

Fly Half & S22 Original

S22 Caps - 2 (2013, 2014)

Oldest of the 3 Costa's, Rodrigo "Roddy" Costa is the 'Master'; cool under pressure and with nerves of steel. Instrumental, with his brothers, in bringing Marco into the game of rugby! Now living and playing in New Zealand and represented Auckland 7s team along with his two brothers. Also the poster boy of the S22 team with many mothers describing Roddy as the "boy you want your daughter to bring home"!

Ben Paltridge

Wing

S22 Caps: 1 (2016)

Ben "The Flyer" Paltridge is currently a professional rugby player in Japan with Kurita Water Industries. A good mate of the Costa brothers, this kiwi has represented Blues U18, North Harbour in the ITM and at 7s and Auckland B. He was also in the NZ 7s trial squad in 2013. Lightening quick Ben was an instrumental member of the 2016 team scoring some fantastic solo tries over the 3 days. He must have enjoyed the 7s very much as he got engaged soon after!!!

James Stokes

Wing/Full Back

S22 Caps: 1 (2015)

James "Stoksey" Stokes played for S22 in 2015. Currently playing for Coventry RFC in Nat 1 he has also represented England Counties. Stoksey was introduced to us by his best mate who was playing for Abu Dhabi Harlequins in 2015 and together they were instrumental in ensuring an increase in female support for S22!

Jacob Elleson

Prop

S22 Caps: 1 (2016)

Jacob is from New Zealand and is currently playing professional rugby at Kurita Water Industries in Japan alongside Ben Paltridge. Jacob has had an excellent career having played for Super 15 side Hurricanes (2008-11), New Zealand Maori (2008,10 and 12), New Zealand A in 2009 and Highlanders in 2012. Jacob's brother, Leon, was representing Japan at the Dubai 7s in the same year that Jacob played for S22. A true team man and as good a bloke off the pitch as his rugby pedigree is on it!

Steven Mclean

Prop/Hooker - Original S22

S22 Caps: 2 (2013,2014)

Stevo is our sole Canadian representative. One of the originals from the infamous 2009 team he is now based fulltime in Canada where he is a lumberjack. He likes nothing better than wielding his chainsaw around and making the long journey to Dubai to rep S22 where his tales of daring do captivate the ladies as he recounts his tree felling prowess to all that will listen!

Osama Shayeb

Back Row / Prop & S22 Original

S22 Caps: 2 (2013,2014)

Osama "Sama" Shayeb is an S22 original from 2009. A beast of a prop back then he is now a ripped back rower who lives in the US where he plays his club rugby. He was an excellent addition to the Abu Dhabi Harlequins 1st team in 2015/16 when he was on a gap year from University. You will not meet a nicer man off the pitch but when he crosses the whitewash he is a wrecking ball!! No worries though as he is training to be a Chiropractor so will be able to sort out those who are unfortunate enough to run into him!

Jason De Broize

Prop & S22 Original

S22 Caps: 2 (2013,2014)

Jason is another of our 2009 originals who spent much of his childhood in the UAE. Now back in his homeland South Africa he continues to excel on the rugby pitch playing for the Sharks Club XV. A true gent and obviously enjoying his rugby back home not to mention the 1kg stakes they seem to serve as a matter of course in SA!

Todd Eunson

Prop & S22 Original

S22 Caps: 1 (2013)

Todd was an original S22 member having played a key part in the Quins U19 season back in 2008/09. A true Ozzy who is now back in his homeland trying hard to keep all his digits on each hand despite numerous accidents, it is a good job he enjoys the oval ball as his career as a concert pianist would be short-lived.

Jonny Burkmar Cullen

Scrum Half & S22 Original

S22 Caps: 4 (2013,2014,2015,2016)

Jonny B-K is a true S22 legend. One of the originals back in 2009 he managed to convince everyone he was a 9 having unbeknown to the coaches, played at hooker until his arrival in the UAE in 2009! He has been a key member of the first 4 S22 teams and is always the one keeping everyone laughing. He enjoys his beer as much as he enjoys his rugby and will do anything for the team, especially if it means helping carry refreshments back from the Heineken tent!

Nick Luff

Half Back and S22 Original

S22 Caps: 1 (2013)

Nick "Luffy" Luff is an original S22 player having played with the lads in 2009. An exceptional talent who came to rugby union when he moved to Abu Dhabi with his family after playing league for most of his life in his native Australia. Small but immensely powerful and quick, Luffy would have made many more appearances for S22 had he not been blighted by knee ligament injuries. He has now qualified from Uni in Sports Science and Physiotherapy and has recently moved back to Abu Dhabi where we will be seeing a lot more of him on the pitch as he starts his physiotherapy career. Once his current knee injury has been fixed we will be excited to see him back on the pitch doing what he does best!

Tyler Beresford

Winger & S22 Original

Tyler was in the original 2009 U19 team. Having completed his schooling in Abu Dhabi he returned to university in The USA before joining the military. Due to his commitments in the US, he has unfortunately been unable to represent S22 so far but we will get him to put his rugby boots back on and make an appearance..........at some stage!

Phil Vorster

Winger & S22 Original

S22 Caps: 2 (2013,2015)

Phil "Sneaky" Vorster is an original S22 man having played with Marco in the outstanding U19 team of 2009 and also alongside Marco in the Arabian Gulf U19 team. An instrumental player in helping Rory and Adam set up S22 after the tragic death of Marco, Phil is a true S22 legend. Originating from South Africa but educated in the UAE, Phil went to Uni in the UK. He is now back in the UK looking to kick-start his career, he will deny this but we all know it is because he has a secret love of the UK and its awesome weather!!!

Joe Teasdale

Centre, Wing

S22 Caps: 2 (2014,2015)

Joe "Teas" Teasdale has lived in Abu Dhabi for much of his life. He has played for Abu Dhabi Harlequins since he was 6 with the only gap being when he went to Millfield School in the UK. Whilst at Millfield he made an appearance at Twickenham in the Daily Mail Trophy U15 final. Joe returned to Abu Dhabi to complete 6th Form and now lives and works here for Kukri, the S22 kit supplier. He currently plays centre for Abu Dhabi Harlequins 1st XV.

Nico Costa

Half Back

S22 Caps: 3 (2013,2014,17)

Nico is the youngest of the 3 Costa brothers. He was too young to play in the original U19 side in 2009 but did come on, aged 14, to play in the lads last U19 15s game in Abu Dhabi. A huge talent who on arriving back in New Zealand to finish school soon made a mark. He got down to the final selection of NZ U20s on two occasions. Nico is the 'silent assassin' of S22 as he seems to come from nowhere to make the huge covering tackle when the opposition think they are through. He always has a cheeky grin on his face and will always deliver!

Samir Kharbouch

Back Row

S22 Caps: 1 (2016)

Samir played for S22 for the first time in 2016. An exceptional talent who has previously played for GB University 7s, London Irish 7s and various elite invitational 7s teams. A great lad both on and off the pitch he showed real leadership and experience in his first year with S22 in 2016. We are delighted that he will be back again in 2017.

Chris Marshall

Winger

S22 Caps: 2 (2015 Player, 2016 Assistant Manager)

Chris "Marshy" Marshall first played for S22 in 2015 having been a member of AD Quins 1st team for the previous 3 seasons and played with Marco in the Quins senior sides. Unfortunately, a dislocated shoulder received in the act of scoring a try for Quins has meant that Marshy missed most of the 2015/16 season but he stepped up to help Rory on the management side in 2016. He also heads up Kukri Middle East so is responsible for the S22 kit!

Francois Marais

2nd Row

S22 Caps: 2 (2014, 2015)

Francois is our only Kiwi/South African mix player who now lives and plays in New Zealand. The tallest person to ever represent S22, and possibly ever to play rugby! He first represented S22 in 2014 where, apart from playing well on the pitch, managed to meet the love of his life in the DHL stand! He came back in 2015 to rep S22 again alongside cementing his love life and persuading the poor girl to move permanently to New Zealand! All the more remarkable as it seems no matter what size kit we order for Francois he still looks like he is wearing Lycra!

Harry Skelton

Scrum Half

S22 Caps: 2 (2015, 2016)

Harry 'Skelts' Skelton is a true S22 man. Having been invited to play for the first time in 2015 he soon became a popular member of the S22 family. Not the biggest person to rep S22 but definitely one of the hardest! Playing the whole of day 3 in 2015 with a broken hand that required an operation on his return to the UK and 3 months out of the game! A true legend for the cause! We were delighted to have him back in 2016 where he continued to put in some excellent performances on the pitch and managed to come through that 7s unscathed!

Iziq Foa'i

Centre

S22 Caps: 2 (2015, 2016)

Iziq "Izzy" Foa'i is the S22 wrecking ball of a centre who played for AD Quins 1st team at the age of 17. He has had trials for professional League teams in the UK and represented London Harlequins 7s team. He is now back in his native NZ playing rugby there. Another of the S22 players who played alongside Marco in the AD Quins senior sides.

Joe Luca Smith

Full Back

S22 Caps: 1 (2016)

Joe played for S22 for the first time in 2016. Introduced to the S22 family by Skelts he immediately fitted into the S22 team and proved to be an excellent addition to the squad. As well as being a great guy off the pitch he was also a great player on it. Since 2016 he has been signed by London Scottish and played for Bath 7s in the Singha 7s in July 2017. His club commitments have prevented him making a return for S22 in 2017 but we are sure we will see him back in the S22 shirt in the future.

Theo Commissaris

Back Row

S22 Caps: 1 (2014)

Theo became an S22 man back in 2014 when his friends, the Costa's, asked him to join the team that year. In true Kiwi style, he was tough as nails and has the honour of being the first S22 man to get stitches! Another top man who laid everything on the line for the course.

John Dawe

Back Row

S22 Caps: 1 (2016)

John 'Dawsie' Dawe played for S22 for the first time in 2016. Having represented GB University 7s and Samurai International 7s Dawsie was an excellent addition to the 2016 squad. A great lad on and off the pitch Dawsie has now been selected and played for the German 7s team and we will be seeing him run out for his adopted country in the 2017 International Invitational competition.

Jona Marshall

Wing / Full Back

S22 Caps: 2 (2015, 2016)

Jona Marshall is another quality player who has come out of Sedbergh School. He has made 2 appearances for S22 and has been an excellent addition to the S22 family playing alongside his brother Chris in 2015. Jona has now moved to Abu Dhabi where he is playing for Abu Dhabi Harlequins 1st Team.

Jonny Keh

Winger

S22 Caps: 1 (2016)

Jonny "JK" Keh made his first appearance for S22 in 2016 having recently finished at the famous rugby school, Sedbergh. A real talent who was with Bath Academy and is now at Leeds Met University playing his rugby. Probably one of the youngest players to represent S22 but he definitely proved himself on the pitch and enjoyed himself off it!

Luc Jones

Scrum Half

S22 Caps: 1 (2015)

Luc Jones spent 3 years in Abu Dhabi at school when his father took up the post of Director of Rugby at The British School Al Khubairat. His talent was obvious from day 1 and he was instrumental in the school winning the Dubai 7s U19 competition for the first time alongside fellow S22 players Kyle Knox, Phil Vorster and Joe Teasdale. Luc has played much of his professional career at Newport Gwent Dragons, London Harlequins and is now at Richmond. His professional contracts have prevented him from making more appearances for S22 but we are certain we will see him make more appearances as he is a top lad who you will always want on your team.

Rob Stevenson

Winger

S22 Caps: 2 (2014, 2016)

Rob is that unique breed of winger - big, strong and dam quick. A quiet unassuming man off the pitch but absolutely deadly on it. His ability has not gone unnoticed having represented Wales U18 7s, GB Uni 7s and Wales Students. He was also the first S22 player to have no recollection of leaving Dubai and arriving back in the UK in 2014! It was a good night!