The Abu Dhabi institution boast a rich history of sporting achievements, with a number of accolades in their trophy cabinet and the only way is up after the school announced their Scholarship Programme.
Seventy promising athletes, ranging from ages between 11 and 18, have been specially chosen after impressing in their chosen sport of football, netball, rugby and swimming in the assessment days.
Besides studying, they can look forward to the best possible preparation to ensure they are in top form when taking to the field or pool for competition duels.
With their sights set on becoming one of the best schools – not just in the UAE, but in the Middle East – they have roped in their first strength and conditioning coach.
Irishman Andrew Semple is tasked with guiding the elite athletes by improving their health and wellbeing. Timi Esan, who excelled in football during the Under-13 COBIS Games in March is one of the 70 scholars.
Johnny Coombs, director of sport at BSAK, believes the group will learn immensely of what is required to reach the top.
Promising athlete: Timi Esan is on the Scholarship Programme.
“As we look to build on the success of last year, our aim is to reach the wider community,” he said.
“This will take our students further afield in the competitive sport and offer a broader balance of sporting opportunities.
“We want to instil rigour and professionalism in our student outlook, a mind-set of elite sportsmanship and a positive attitude.
We want them to go out into the wider world with the qualities that will drive them forward in any aspect of their lives.”
He added: “We will also be having some professional athletes coming in regularly to give talks to the students as it’s a really good way for them to be inspired.”
The scholarships are one year each with an option for renewal.
Coombs says this is just the start with plans to increase the number of intakes in the future.
“We want to try and be the best sports school in the whole of the Gulf region and obviously we need the best sports students to do that,” he said.
“We want to dominate in Abu Dhabi and try and win the Dubai-based competitions that we compete in every year and the COBIS Games in England next year.”
It’s a busy season ahead for the school with the Abu Dhabi leagues set to begin later this month, as well their own rugby tournament.
It was no surprise there was a brilliant turn-out for trials.
“We had almost 300 people turn out for swimming trials and about roughly 80 kids for some other sports, so it’s been really encouraging to see excellent numbers,” Coombs said.
