Sport360°'s 2014 guide to the UAE's best junior academies

Sport360 staff 16:27 24/09/2014
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  • Learn the Spanish way: Real Madrid legend Michel Salgado will be on hand to guide your child's football development at the Spanish Soccer School.

    As we wave goodbye to the UAE's fierce summer heat for another year, it's time to welcome the return of more comfortable tempatures that bring with it the start of a new sporting season in the emirates.

    To mark the return of the new season, we have put together a comprehensive guide to the best junior sports academies where the youth of our nation can enjoy their favourite sports under the guidance of top coaching within top-class facilities.

    To kick things off (pun intended), here are the best football academies available to your children in the UAE:

    SPANISH SOCCER SCHOOL 

    There are two fantastic programmes available for young budding footballers to sign up to over the next three terms at the Football Academy in Dubai.

    Situated at Dubai Sports City, the Spanish Soccer Schools (SSS), for ages five to 16, and Socatots, for children aged six months to five-years-old, are already in big demand. 

    The academy’s philosophy is based on three Spanish values – unity, passion and skill – and the children will soon learn to play the Spanish way under the guidance of four-time La Liga title winner Michel Salgado and his highly-qualified team.

    The popularity of SSS is growing rapidly, so much so that organisers have already set up a new venue for this term, at Repton School in Dubai.

    There is still a chance to sign up for the current term (until November 15), but if you can’t get a place in the academy this time around, there’s no need to panic as the goal posts move for terms two (November 23 to February 21) and three (March 1 to May 16).

    At Dubai Sports City, the one-hour sessions are divided into four age groups, Under-6, U8 and U10, and take place Sunday to Wednesday (4.30pm to 7.30pm) and Friday (9am or 10.30am). Prices vary from Dh950 to Dh7,800. 

    At Repton School, sessions take place on Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (6.30pm) for ages six to 16. Prices range from Dh950 to Dh5,610.

    The one-hour Socatot sessions take place at Dubai Sports City (Friday to Wednesdays), Emirates International School (Saturdays from 9am to 12noon), and Blossom Nursery, Umm Sequeim (Mondays and Wednesdays 1pm to 4pm). Prices start at Dh960 for its 12-week session.

    Contact details
    Call: 04 4481 555
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Visit: www.footballacademydubai.com

    FCBESCOLA

    FCBEscola Dubai’s 10-month programme is under way to help kids develop their skills on the pitch akin to the method used at Barcelona.

    The training programme, open to kids aged four to 16 years, offers a unique opportunity to receive professional training from the Catalan giants’ system and be molded through FCB’s unique style of play – something that stars like Messi and Xavi have gone through.

    Kids will train two days per week and on the third, they’ll compete in matches internally with other FC Barcelona teams in the UAE. They’ll also get the chance to travel to Barcelona as part of two camps during the year and compete against Barcelona schools from around the world.

    Running from September to June, FCBEscola’s programme offers membership packages ranging from two-and-a-half months, five months, seven months and the full 10 months, with prices available on request.

    The training grounds are located at GEMS Wellington School and GEMS World Academy.

    Contact details
    Call: 055 887 6764
    E-mail: [email protected]

    GOAL! ACADEMY

    Join the GOAL! Academy at The Dubai Mall with a team of enthusiastic and experienced coaches offering training programs designed to help youngsters develop their technical skills, passion for the game and giving them a platform to reach their potential.

    GOAL! runs coaching sessions for boys and girls aged four-12 from Sundays to Fridays on its two indoor football pitches. To ensure the quality of the practices, there are only 12 players per session with two coaches.

    Each Saturday they organise football tournaments where the players can implement the skills and techniques they have learnt.

    GOAL! Academy rates are Dh480 (one month) and Dh1,100 (three months) and each session is 80 minutes (four and five-year-olds 60 minutes).

    Contact details
    Call: 04 388 2282 or 050 719 3713
    E-mail: Dubai.mall@goal junior.com

    IT'S JUST FOOTBALL

    It’s Just Football is a youth development programme boasting ex-professional players with UEFA A and B coaching qualifications at top-class facilities across Dubai.

    With opportunities to play regular, competitive football in the Dubai Premier Youth League, trips to tournaments and professional football experiences abroad, there is no better place for your child’s football education to grow than at It’s Just Football.

    The benefits are wide ranging, with coaching available for both boys and girls from ages four to 18, at venues across Dubai, with weekday and weekend training sessions for beginners through to players aspiring to play at an elite level.

    Oddly enough, it’s not just playing football that It’s Just Football concentrate on. Approved and accredited by the English FA, they also run coaching courses for individuals from the age of 16 upwards who would like to become qualified coaches. Rates start from Dh910 per term.

    Contact details
    Call: 055 2962963
    E-mail: [email protected]

    E-SPORTS FOOTBALL ACADEMY 

    E-Sports Football Academy (EFA) operates a full development programme that creates pathways for beginners to elite footballers.

    The EFA offers a range of programmes designed to cater for all ages and abilities, including Early Touches (3-6 years), Skills in Schools (4-11 years), Academy coaching (7-16 years), Girls coaching (3-16 years), Development/Elite Squads and Junior Football Leagues (6-16 years).

    At EFA, there is something football related going on every day of the week, and the organisation delivers sessions in over 15 venues across Dubai and Abu Dhabi and has coaching contact with over 1,200 aspiring young footballers who share the same passion for the game.

    Courses run for 15 to 20 weeks and prices range from Dh1,500 up to Dh4,000.

    Contact details
    Call: 050 2861041
    E-mail: [email protected]

    IFA DUBAI

    The IFA is the largest independent sports academy in the UAE, coaching more children in more places than any other academy in the region.

    IFA’s philosophy is ‘sport for all’ meaning that it is inclusive rather than exclusive. Everyone irrespective of gender, age, background or ability is welcome at IFA whose vision is to help more people get more out of sport.

    IFA is running a series of sessions at 16 locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi starting this month, including at the Emirates International School.

    Coaching sessions take place for the next 13 weeks on Sundays (until December 14); Wednesdays (until December 17) and Fridays (until December 12) on outdoor astro turfs.

    Contact details
    Call: 055 897 6295
    E-mail: [email protected]

    REAL MADRID FOOTBALL ACADEMY 

    The Real Madrid Foundation Academy UAE, established in 2011, advocates a healthy lifestyle among Emirati boys and girls aged four to 17.

    The academy focuses on discovering new, young talents and coaching them towards sporting professionalism through the practice of sports and the observation of wholesome diets.

    The academy has now started the 2014/15 season in three different locations, including the Armed Forces Officers Club, Abu Dhabi; Dubai Silicon Oasis; and the Al Ain International School.

    All coaches are certified by the Real Madrid Foundation. Groups are split by age and all players are put through technical skill sessions that include basic to advanced technique, positional and tactical play, as well as good discipline and behaviour on and off the pitch.

    Training takes place three times per week, including Saturday, Monday and Wednesdays in Abu Dhabi; Sunday, Tuesday and Thursdays in Dubai, and Sundays, Tuesday and Thursdays in Al Ain.

    Contact details
    Call: 800 REAL (7325)
    Website: www.rmfa.baniyas.ae

    ADASTRA FOOTBALL DUBAI

    Adastra’s Latin meaning is ‘to the stars’ or the pursuit of excellence, and that’s exactly what the Dubai-based Adastra Football academy aims for in its football coaching.

    Adastra’s mission is to create a dynamic and challenging learning environment that combines a culture of excellence and aspiration and to provide appropriate development opportunities.

    Adastra is a comprehensive youth development programme, delivering with highly qualified UEFA ‘A’ Licence and experienced English Premier and Football League coaches and support staff.

    Players participate in innovative coaching sessions designed to develop technical and tactical proficiency, as well as specific conditioning and awareness, to improve their ability.

    Sessions run every Tuesday and Sunday from 5-6.30pm and include the Academy Program, Development Program, Match-Fit Program and Mini-Stars Program.

    Contact details
    Call: 055 886 7243
    E-mail: [email protected]

    MANCHESTER CITY FOOTBALL SCHOOL

    Learn how to play the way of the champions of England, Manchester City, at the City Football School in Abu Dhabi, based at Zayed Sports City.

    The football development programme for youngsters is based on the pitches next to the tennis stadium at Zayed Sports City. All the coaches work full-time for reigning Barclays Premier League champions City and have been trained at the club.

    They are able to coach everything from goalkeeping to skills and general fitness. Boys and girls are welcome. The techniques taught are the same as used by the first team coaches at the Etihad Stadium.

    The club will be running a seven-week course at Zayed Sports City outdoor from October 26 to December 13. Rates start from Dhs1,440, which includes a City Football Schools kit.

    Contact details
    Call: 050 8128051
    E-mail: [email protected]

    THE DOME @ RAWDHAT

    The Dome@Rawdhat is offering half-price football field rental. With two indoor and 6 outdoor 5-a-side pitches there is nowhere better in Abu Dhabi than The Dome@Rawdhat on Airport Road, opposite the Hilton Hotel.

    School children and students can enjoy a 50 per cent discount on all pitches seven days a week, 52 weeks a year between 8am and 5pm. That’s just Dh100 per hour for an indoor 5-a-side pitch and just Dh75 for one hour outside. Valid ID is required when making a booking.

    Contact details
    Call: 02 447 054
    E-mail: [email protected]

    READ MORE

    – Sport360°'s 2014 guide to the UAE's best junior academies – cricket

    – Sport360°'s 2014 guide to the UAE's best junior academies – golf

    – 

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