Abu Dhabi: City Football Schools is all set to expand the number of coaching sessions it provides during the upcoming 2017-18 season.

The Abu Dhabi-based coaching academy, which is run by City Football Group, will extend the season starting on September 10 from four terms to five — an extra 200 hours of coaching.

Lewis Childs, football delivery manager, said: “We’re really excited about the fifth term we’re adding in the upcoming season. With a longer season and new coaching practises developed in our academy in Manchester to deliver, we are confident we can achieve the best out of our players.”

In addition to extending the season, City Football Schools will enter its teams into a greater number of local and international tournaments in a bid to provide young footballers with more exposure to competitive matches, they said. These include the second edition of the Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup that featured more than 60 teams from the GCC when it was held at Zayed Sports City earlier this year.

City Football Schools sessions are built upon the philosophy and training programme of the Manchester City Academy.

The new season will feature another opportunity for the City Football Schools to select squads where some of them will get the opportunity to travel to Manchester and train with Manchester City Academy while also watching the first team in action.

City Football Schools is approaching its seventh season since being founded in 2011 and has expanded its coaching team to include 12 professional coaches, all from the UK.

City Football Schools are based across three venues in Abu Dhabi — the Emirates Palace, Zayed Sports City and New York University (Saadiyat Campus) and sessions are open to children aged 3-18 years. Currently over 1,000 children each season take part in training sessions with City Football Schools.

Info

Age: Open to girls and boys from 3 to 18 years

Date: Season 7 will be launched on September 10

Locations: Emirates Palace, Zayed Sports City, New York University (Saadiyat Campus), Abu Dhabi

Times: Check website for details

Registration: Can be made online at www.uae.cityfootballschools.com

Added info: There is a promotion for full-season booking. Entries will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a trip to Manchester to watch a Premier League match, with flights, accommodation and match ticket being part of the package.