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.
In part two, we profile the best cricket academies available to children.
ICC ACADEMY
If children want to learn cricket or love playing the sport, then the ICC Academy in Dubai Sports City has a range of programmes for boys and girls.
For the first time, the ‘Girls Warriors’ programme has been introduced providing girls aged between 11-18 an opportunity to learn, develop and enhance their abilities as a cricketer. The programme runs every Tuesday for the 10-week session.
The first-term is already underway, but registration for the winter (beginning December 9) and summer (starting March 10) seasons are now open, priced at Dh900. The Academy is again holding their successful Cricket Cubs programme for three to six-year-olds.
Children will be involved in fun physical activities using cricket as its main medium for development of motor skills and hand eye coordination. Prices are Dh90 per session or Dh900 for 10-week programme, with the first term already started.
The Warriors programme returns again offering coaching for different age groups. The under-7 and under-9 programmes will be taught the basic skills of cricket as well as the values of physical activities in their fourtimes-a-week classes, with prices ranging from Dh900 to Dh1,200 for the 10-week session.
The under-13 classes are priced at Dh2,500 for the 10-week session, with the first term underway. It’s ideal for those who want to specialise in the game and who require more intense, competitive challenges.
The emphasis is still on enjoyment, participation and cricket skill acquisition as well as developing tactical awareness. And the under-15 and under-18 programmes are the same as other age groups but more advanced.
With programmes beginning at Dh1,500 or Dh2,500, depending on the chosen day, video technology will be integrated into training in providing players with the maximum amount of feedback to understand their game better.
They will also be open to be selected for the Gold Warrior Performance as well as a chance to travel overseas.
Contact details
Call: 04 4481355
E-mail: [email protected]
CRICKET MAXWAY
Cricket Maxway (CM) is offering coaching pro-grammes for the ninth year running where children can learn and improve their batting, fielding and bowling skills.
Trained and qualified by coaches from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Kenya, CM not only prepare its players to compete in the inter-academy tournament, but also for their annual tour to, Muscat (March), UK (July), South Africa (August) and Mumbai (December).
Taking player development very seriously, CM have already brought World Cup winning coach Gary Kirsten and former South Africa bowler Meyrick Pringle to Dubai, and plan to bring more legends to the country to assist the children.
Open to boys and girls from ages 6 to 18-year-olds, the session fees vary from Dh450 (monthly) to Dh1,300 for a 10-week programme. Sessions take place at Al Nasr Sports Club (Karama) on Fridays and Saturdays, and the Men’s College, Academic City in Dubai – also on Fridays and Saturdays.
Indoor training takes place at United Pro Sports on Mondays, Wednesdays (16:30 to 18:30) and Fridays and Saturdays (09:30 to 11:30am). Classes at Sharjah Wanderers Sports Club are on Friday and Saturdays (07:00 to 09:00), while Victoria International School, coaching takes place from 15:30 to 18:00 on Mondays, and 15:30 to 17:00 on Thursdays.
On weekends, classes are from 09:00 to 10:30.
Contact details
Call: 04 2831705
E-mail: [email protected]
MCC ZAYED ACADEMY
The MCC Zayed Cricket Academy in Abu Dhabi is welcoming registrations for new children who wish to learn or improve their cricketing skills.
Academy membership is open to boys and girls between 8 to 19-years-old with children grouped in under-12, under-15, under-17 and under-19s.
All new members will benefit from four supervised coaching sessions per week as well as competitive cricket in the inter-academy tournaments, and matches against touring teams. The two-hour sessions are held on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The monthly fee is Dh350 which includes transportation to and from the academy in Abu Dhabi.
Contact details
Call: 02 558 5615
Visit: www.adcricketclub.ae
READ MORE
– Sport360°'s 2014 guide to the UAE's best junior academies – football
– Sport360°'s 2014 guide to the UAE's best junior academies – golf
