Because kids have so much energy there are after school activities. But with so many extra-curricular activities on offer across the UAE, it can be hard to know where to start, which is why we have compiled a comprehensive list of what’s going on where so you can sign your little one up to the club that best suits them and the things they like doing.
Whether you’ve got a budding Ronaldo in the family, a wannabe Oscar-winning actor or a child who loves to spend most of the day on their hands, there is something for everyone. And who knows, you might just be able to burn off enough energy to make for an easy bedtime… We can but try!
DUBAI
CRICKET
ICC Academy
There are a variety of coaching programmes available to suit all levels and ages. The Cricket Cubs is for the littlest cricket fans aged between two and six while the Warriors Programme is aimed at kids from seven up to 17. Children are taught everything they need to know about batting, bowling and fielding and are also given physical and mental conditioning to help them last on the pitch.
Dubai Sports City, Sports Village, www.iccacademy.net (04 448 1355).
It’s Just Cricket Academy
Budding cricketers will learn a love for the game as well as all the skills required to bat a six and bowl a wicket. The academy nurtures talent in players of all ages at a grass-roots level and develops them right through to the professional level, with the support of technical expertise and pathway partners.
At various schools across Dubai including Dubai College, Al Sufouh, www.itsjustcricket.com (052 938 6707).
DANCE AND DRAMA
Diverse
If you’ve got a little diva on your hands then let them release their inner performer at one of the impressive range of classes available at Diverse. Mini thespians and nimble-toed kiddos can sign up to a number of disciplines from dance fusion and acro to singing lessons, jazz and ballet, plus a mini musical theatre class gives them an all-round education with singing, dance and drama included in one session.
The Curve Building, Entrance A, Al Quoz, Dubai, www.diversechoreography.com (04 330 7338).
Dubai Performing Arts
Lisa Scott-Lee was a singer in the world-famous band Steps, and having successfully managed to fulfil her own dreams of being a pop star and professional performer, the British star now encourages a future generation of talent to achieve their goals of a glittering career on the stage. Dubai Performing Arts offers a range of classes including contemporary and street dance, drama and musical theatre. Singing lessons are also on offer for little Adele wannabes.
Dubai Performing Arts, various locations including Dubai British School, Springs and Uptown School, Mirdif, www.dubaiperformingarts.com (056 173 7545)
Step Up Academy
The academy offers a wide range of classes meaning there is something for everyone. Step Up Academy offers creative teaching by qualified instructors whose aim is to help students develop confidence, social skills, co-ordination, performance skills, flexibility, technique, rhythm as well as motor and gross skill development. Classes include ballet, cheerleading, musical theatre and gymnastics as well as jazz, tap and modern dance.
113 Apex Atrium, Dubai Motor City, www.stepup.ae (055 855 2797).
The Ballet Centre Dubai
Far from just teaching ballet – although this is naturally on the schedule too – the Ballet Centre offers diddy dancers the opportunity to learn tap, modern, Irish and Spanish dancing. There are also lessons in drama and gymnastics so plenty for every little performer.
Jumeirah 1, Villa 64, 16C Street, www.theballetcentredubai.com (4 344 9776).
FOOTBALL
City Football Schools
Little ones can learn all the skills needed to master the beautiful game at this cool academy that has links to premier league side, Manchester City. The programme, which in the past has welcomed players such as Aymeric Laporte, Raheem Sterling, David Silva and Fernandinho, along with current manager Pep Guardiola, to the UAE to work with youngsters, welcomes players of all abilities from the age of three to 16.
Various locations including Brighton College, Jumeirah Baccalaureate School, Koora Dome and Uptown School, CFS.Dubai@cityfootball.com, uae.cityfootballschools.com (056 538 9501).
Elite Sports
Players of all levels from beginner ballers to super strikers can fine tune their footie skills under the expert supervision of the club’s top coaches. The sessions focus on technique and tactics while teaching little footie fans the rules and etiquette of the game.
Various locations including JESS Dubai Arabian Ranches, www.elitesports.ae (04 554 5916).
Just 4 Keepers
If your little one is more Jordan Pickford than Harry Kane – meaning their aim is to keep balls out of the net rather than kick them in it – then this goalkeeper-focused coaching will be right up their street. The international academy provides all the training they need to be a top goalie. Score… or rather, save!
Various locations, www.just4keepers.ae (056 855 7039).
My Sports Academy
Kiddos can learn a love of the beautiful game from the lovely, expert coaches at MSA. No matter what their footballing ability, there is a group to suit them and little ones as young as five can start to work on their footwork and dribbling skills. Plus, MSA offers a number of football-focused holiday camps throughout the school year.
Various locations including JESS Jumeirah, mysportsacademydubai.com.
Spanish Soccer Schools
Skills, skills and more skills is what this football academy aims to hone in your young football fan. In addition to teaching ball control, shooting at goal and defending, the club also focuses on providing children with the ability to critically think, asses and manage risk under pressure.
FitRepublik Fitness Centre, Studio City, www.footballacademydubai.com (04 448 1555).
GOLF
Golf DXB
With tiered ability programmes young golfers to learn, develop and compete in an environment suited to their level. Class sizes are no bigger than six, while regular tournaments give kiddos a competitive edge. Little golfers can sign up to a trial for Dhs55, and once they’ve decided it’s the sport for them, the month-long programmes start at Dhs400 for absolute beginners. Plus, if they develop a real love of the ‘great game’ they can even celebrate their birthday here. Fore!
The Track, Meydan Golf, Dubai, www.golfdxb.ae (054 441 1429).
Peter Cowen Academy
Little ones will feel like they’ve shot a hole in one if they love golf and sign up to lessons at this prestigious academy. Mini golfers can brush up on their swing and practice their putting at this state-of-the-art facility at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Peter Cowen has taught some of the world’s golfing greats including Ryder cup heroes Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.
Jumeirah Golf Estates, www.dubaigolf.com.
GYMNASTICS
DuGym
As well as teaching kids of all ages (from four) the basics – think cartwheels, forward rolls and handstands –DuGym also offers a trampoline club, sports acro classes and an artistic academy for both boys and girls. Plus, once they’ve mastered their Arab springs and handstand into bridge, they can aim to get chosen for the elite squad, which takes part in various competitions.
Horizon International School, Umm Al Sheif, www.dugym.com (050 553 6283).
HORSE RIDING
Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club
Pony-obsessed kiddos will love this riding centre where they will discover a state-of-the-art polo and equestrian community devoted to equine sports. From pony rides on the lead rein to coaching jumping and dressage, all levels and all ages will feel perfectly at home in the saddle here.
Dubailand, www.alhabtoorpoloresortandclub.com (04 436 2222).
Desert Palm Equestrian Club
An idyllic location where horse enthusiasts can learn to ride or develop their skills. The riding school boasts an impressive collection of horses and ponies ranging from smaller steeds of 11 hands up to larger rides of 18 hands. The school caters to all levels starting with the leading rein classes suitable for kids as young as five.
Al Aweer Road, www.desertpalmllc.com (050 451 7773).
Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club
Complete beginners as well as more experienced riders will all feel very at home here among the calm, idyllic setting of the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, with all manner of riding and livery lessons for kids of all ages and abilities.
Al Qudra Road, poloclubdubai.com (04 361 8111).
NETBALL
Dubai Hurricanes
Just like the rugby arm of this club, the Dubai Hurricanes netball girls train at The Sevens Stadium. Aimed at kids from five right up to a squad for the under 19s, the children learn to develop their game while focusing on a fun, enjoyable and rewarding experience.
The Sevens Stadium, www.dubaihurricanes.com (052 884 9338).
Dubai Tigers Netball
Little ones from as young as five can join in the netballing fun and learn all about the All netball teams compete in local leagues and tournaments throughout the season, giving plenty of court time for all players across the broad. Training takes place for all age groups on Friday mornings at Dubai College.
Dubai College, Al Sufouh, www.dubaitigers.com (055 665 7332).
My Sports Academy
MSA offer a range of sports and the coaching is great across all of them. The netball sessions are loads of fun for kiddos of all abilities as they learn to pivot, pass and shoot goals.
Various locations including JESS Dubai Arabian Ranches, www.mysportsacademydubai.com (04 244 7848).
RUGBY
Dubai Exiles
Dubai’s original rugby club offers state-of-the-art facilities at the The Sevens Stadium for mini rugby fans to learn all the skills they need on the pitch. Tiny tots can start touch rugby at four and work their way up to full contact as they get older. And parents can enjoy some breakfast, lunch or dinner post-training at the on-site sports lounge.
The Sevens Stadium, Al Ain Road (E66), dubaiexiles.com (050 777 4623).
Dubai Falcons
There’s good news for Dubai parents as there’s a brand-new rugby club in town. Dubai Falcons is Dubai’s newest rugby club, and focuses on grassroots rugby and developing future talent. The club is open for kids from four to 18, and the fees of Dhs1,150 for 48 weeks of rugby. In the off-season Dubai Falcons will focus on touch rugby and agility training, to help children maintain the skills they develop during the rugby season, as well as keeping them fit throughout the year.
info@falconsrugby.com (052 200 5321).
Dubai Hurricanes
Where better for your little rugby players to hone their tackling, passing and kicking than at The Sevens Stadium, which the Dubai Hurricanes – affectionately known as “The Canes” calls home. The club has teams for all age groups, all run by top-notch coaches with a real passion for the sport.
The Sevens Stadium, Al Ain Road (E66), www.dubaihurricanes.com (04 717 6161).
Dubai Tigers Rugby Club
Fun is at the heart of it all with Tiger’s Youth Rugby where kids from as young as four can enjoy this popular sport. Little ones start playing touch rugby to lean the basic skills of the game, before moving on to learn how to tackle, ruck and scrum safely when they get a bit older. The club has grown considerably over the last couple of years and each age group now has squad sizes of around 60, which are broken up into four teams based on ability meaning a safer playing field and more game time.
Dubai College, Al Sufouh, www.heartbeatsports.com (055 665 7332).
SWIMMING
Aquatix
With over 15 years experience teaching ASA and AUSTSwim-based programmes, Aquatix operates swimming programmes at a number of schools, nurseries and colleges across the city. From learn to swim to competitive squads, water-loving kiddos will really make a splash at these lessons.
Various locations, www.aquatixdubai.com.
Hamilton Aquatics
All ages and abilities are catered for here at this established swim school with a view to improving your child’s swimming performance and water safety by offering a distinct and easy to follow pathway.
Various locations, www.hamiltonaquatics.ae.
My Sports Academy
Whether you’ve got a tiny tot who wants to learn to swim, a child who is afraid of the water, or a talented swimmer who wants to race and enter competitions, MSA has you covered. Covering the complete aquatic performance spectrum, MSA takes swimmers from dipping their first toe in the water right up to elite competitive swimming and performance-based training.
Various locations including JESS Jumeirah and JESS Arabian Ranches, www.mysportsacademydubai.com.
ABU DHABI
CRICKET
Abu Dhabi Cricket
This is a seriously family-friendly club where your wannabe Ben Stokes can fuel their passion for the game. The coaching starts for kids under eight and goes right up to a squad for under 19s. They’ll be batting a six
in no time.
www.abudhabicricket.ae.
FOOTBALL
City Football
Little ones can learn all the skills needed to master the beautiful game at this cool footie academy that has links to premier league side, Manchester City. The programme, which in the past has welcomed players such as Aymeric Laporte, Raheem Sterling, David Silva and Fernandinho, along with current manager, Pep Guardiola, to the UAE to work with youngsters, welcomes players of all abilities from the age of three to 16.
Various locations including Emirates Palace, Al Maryah Island and Zayed Sports City, CFS.abuDhabi@cityfootball.com, uae.cityfootballschools.com (056 420 5685).
GOLF
Abu Dhabi City Golf Academy
Mini golf enthusiasts can sign up to an eight-week course for Dhs750. The lessons are an hour long each week and teach little golf fans the basics from putting and driving (that’s off the tee and not in a car) to golf etiquette. Plus if they fancy testing out their skills they can sign up to various tournaments when they are ready.
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Al Mushrif, 19th Street, www.adcitygolf.com (02 445 9600).
HORSE RIDING
Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club
Hop in the saddle at this capital riding establishment. Whether your little ones are jumping poles taller than them or whether they are just getting started with a pony obsession, all levels and abilities are well catered for.
Al Mushrif, www.adec-web.com (02 445 5500).
RUGBY
Abu Dhabi Harlequins
This established club fields teams that do very well when it comes to national and international rugby tournaments. Starting the littlies of four on touch rugby and then developing those skills into the full contact game as they get older, Abu Dhabi Quins takes on boys and girls of all ages.
Zayed Sports City, www.abudhabiquins.com.
SWIMMING
Hamilton Aquatics
Swimming is such an important skill to have for kids growing up in the UAE given all the pools on every compound and the long coastline. Tiny tots ready to take the plunge can learn to swim with Hamilton, while older kids who fancy more competition can aim to get on to one of the elite competitive squads.
Various locations including Cambridge High School and Al Reef Abu Dhabi, www.hamiltonaquatics.ae (04 450 8832).
