Bentley leads Carnegie Dubai trip

Bentley was a 1997 British Lion in South Africa

Leeds Carnegie have travelled to Dubai and Doha in an attempt to raise the profile of the club.

Head coach Neil Back, community marketing manager John Bentley, player Henry Paul and foundation member Adam Blades form the promotional team.

As well as hosting two sold-out dinners the team will be running training sessions with local schools.

"I will be speaking to as many people as possible about Leeds and trying to raise our profile here," said Back.

As well as highlighting the success of the west Yorkshire club, who are preparing for life back in the Premiership, the trip is also designed to raise money for charity.

Back added: "This trip is a chance to raise some money for two very worthwhile causes in the Leeds Rugby Foundation and the Wooden Spoon Society.

"Hong Kong was always the main rugby destination in that part of the world but I can see Dubai rising to the top in the coming years.

We are there for four days in total and will be doing two sold out dinners at which over 250 guests will be present. That is a great endorsement for the club, especially in the current climate

John Bentley

"It is ideally situated between the northern and southern hemispheres of rugby nations and if there was a possibility of an event that Leeds Carnegie could be involved in, I would be interested in speaking to people about that to help raise our profile."

Dubai hosted the IRB Sevens World Cup earlier this year and the expedition from Leeds has been arranged by former British Lion Bentley.

Bentley explained: "There are three main reasons for the trip. Firstly, it will help to raise the profile of Leeds Carnegie in the area.

"Secondly, it is a chance to network with some of the most influential people in world sport in the current era and most importantly we will also be raising funds for the Leeds Rugby Foundation and the Wooden Spoon Society, a charity that is very close to the hearts of myself and Neil Back, as we are both patrons.

"We are there for four days in total and will be doing two sold out dinners at which over 250 guests will be present. That is a great endorsement for the club, especially in the current climate.

"The idea came from a contact I met in the Middle East called Dave Skidmore. He is the former Chairman of the Arabian Gulf rugby union.

"I invited him over to the UK at the end of last season for our home game against Manchester and he was very impressed with everything we have going on at Leeds Carnegie.

"This trip is the culmination of that work and it should be very worthwhile."