Features of academies

DSC Football Academy
The DSC Football Academy hosts programmes which include the well-known Manchester United Soccer Schools and Socatots, the world's first soccer specific physical play programme for children. "Football is one of the most popular sports in Dubai and the DSC Football Academy provides some of the best programmes for all ages," said Ekta Hutton, Assistant Academies Manager, DSC. "We have continued to grow over the past three years and the opening of the Football Academy will further encourage even more children into taking up the game."

ICC Global Cricket Academy
The ICC Global Cricket Academy will provide international standard playing and practice surfaces as well as a variety of pitch-types, replicating conditions found in different countries. ICC Global Cricket Academy will house video analysis software specifically-designed for each discipline such as batting, bowling – fast and spin – with the all important interaction from the likes of Rod Marsh, Mudassar Nazar and Dayle Hadlee. "Our facilities will be made available to the UAE national team, and to local clubs and schools in the region," said Marc Archer, General Manager, ICC Global Cricket Academy.

WorldHockey Academy
The new WorldHockey Academy which has been established through a partnership with FIH, will have two FIH standard water-based artificial surfaces that will be the only dedicated hockey pitches of this type in Dubai. The academy building at the DSC hockey stadium will include elite training facilities, the latest equipment and analysis software to support the coaching effort. "There are many people in the UAE who are very passionate about playing hockey, but the facilities have simply not been here," said WorldHockey Academy Manager, Adam Barnes. "We will be able to provide the right environment for youngsters taking up the game for the first time, as well as offer coaching courses and local leagues for the more serious players."

Swimming Academy
The Swimming Academy will include an Olympic-size 50 metre pool, the latest underwater video camera systems designed to assess a swimmer from all angles in the water. It will also provide the only system in Dubai where the pool can be transformed into two 25 metres short-course pools able to host championships, with VIP areas and spectator seating. "The UAE has traditionally produced many strong swimmers, but there has been a need for a facility of this quality for many years," said Swimming Academy Manager, Seth Chappels.

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