Since opening in 2005, the MCC Zayed Cricket Academy has gone from strength to strength, and nine years later it’s no surprise it is one of the leading academies that produce cricketers in the UAE.
In fact, five of UAE’s Under-19 World Cup squad graduated from the academy and one (all-rounder Moaaz Qazi) is with the senior squad at the on-going World Twenty20 in Bangladesh and it’s something that head coach Qazi Ayub is proud of.
“We are proud to say that we have been consistently providing the UAE team in different age groups and now the senior team,” says Ayub.
Around 120 players registered within the first week of opening and management had to stop at that number because they didn’t have the facility or coaches to accommodate more.
Now, the academy has over 300 students (boys and girls between 8 and 19), who are trained by 10 qualified coaches. Youngsters practice their bowling, fielding and batting techniques at facilities just 200 metres away from the Zayed Cricket Stadium.
The coaching methods are simple and easy to understand. Among the criteria given to coaches during classes are: Explain and introduce each skill clearly, attend to players closely, and offer correct and positive feedback after observation.
The coaches stick to the manifesto by which the academy aims to “identify and nurture excellence, while instilling the true values of the spirit of cricket”.
And having seen over 1,500 registrations in the past, the management is happy to welcome new potential cricketers.
“We are more than happy for more youngsters to join. Here they will learn all the essentials needed for cricket and will be guided by coaches who have many years of experience,” says Ayub “There are also tournaments the academy takes part in as well as organising the successful Abu Dhabi Inter-School Tournament for the last five years.”
Off the field, in 2010 the academy signed an association agreement with the MCC – the oldest cricket club in the world – which allows them to use their facilities when they visit the UK once a year for their traditional four-day County Championship match.
Also every year, two players undertake a one-week training course with Sussex Cricket Club in the UK. “When we started the academy, junior cricket was unheard of in the UAE,” says Ayub.
The head coach added: “The MCC Zayed Cricket students came here with no cricketing skills. “Now we have seen them progress and I think they’re knocking on the door at the international level. There’s no reason why this can’t be achieved for those who want to join the academy.”
Training sessions are held on Thursdays (16:00 to 18:00 and 20:00 to 22:00), Fridays (16:00 to 18:00 and 20:00 to 22:00) as well as Saturday afternoons (16:00 to 18:00).
Fees are Dh350 per month, which includes transportation to and from the location.
What: MCC Zayed cricket academy (Abu Dhabi)
Where: Near Sheikh Zayed cricket Stadium
Members: 300+
Contact: For more information, visit www.adcricketclub.ae/ academy_overview.php
