Dubai: The Dubai Sports City's Swimming Academy is set to have a major impact on the sport in the UAE when it opens next year.
The world-class facility will combine an Olympic-size 50 metre pool and an accredited swim programme for the local community.
It will also offer ideal training facilities for international teams and serve as a base for athletes.
The academy will be the first of its kind and promises to be equipped with the latest technology.
The facility will have state-of-the-art video analysis software and a camera system in the pool.
This will allow coaches to provide instant advice to swimmers of all levels of competency.
Dubai Sports City's newly appointed Swimming Academy Manager, Seth Chappels spoke about the development.
He said the academy was filling a gap that had existed in Dubai for some time.
The Academy Manager said: "Dubai Sports City's Swimming Academy will be a dedicated resource for all levels and ability who want to improve their swimming standard and general fitness.
"The UAE has traditionally produced many strong swimmers, but there has been a need for a facility of this quality for many years."
Split pool
The Swimming Academy will be the only place in Dubai that has a system where the pool can be split into two 25 metre short-course pools.
Both would be able to host championships with VIP areas and spectator seating.
One of the main aims of the Dubai Sports City is to improve the health and fitness of UAE residents by supporting and encouraging more people to take part in sport.
As part of this the Swimming Academy will run 'learn to swim' programmes for all ages and abilities as well as local squad training.
Dubai Sports City Academies Manager Jeff O'Brien said: "The Swimming Academy will integrate the elite athletes with the broader community to encourage a fitter, healthier lifestyle through sport.
"We are currently in detailed negotiations with a number of international swimming institutions to deliver the coaching and training in this exciting venture."
The Swimming Academy manager joined from the GEMS Swim Academy in Dubai where he was the Director of Aquatics for three years.
Under his guidance the squad became the top school at the Middle East Schools Swimming Championships 2007.
As a swimmer, Chappels has competed at an international level.
He represented Great Britain at the Commonwealth Games, World Championships, European Championships, World Cup and at the European Cup swimming tournaments.
As well as the Swimming Academy, Dubai Sports City will also include academies for football, which will house the Manchester United Soccer School.
The City will also have rugby and hockey facilities as well as the ICC Global Cricket Academy, the Butch Harmon School of Golf and the David Lloyd Tennis Academy.
Each academy will provide a world-class training base for international and UAE athletes while also offering the perfect environment for local grassroots leagues and coaching.
The Facts
Dubai Sports City Swimming Academy
- -The Academy will house an Olympic-size 50 metre pool, which can be split into two 25 metre training pools through the use of an innovative bulk-head system.
- Work is on-going to provide state-of the-art diagnostic coaching. The system includes an under-water video tracking system, which is linked directly to the main scoreboard - the first-of-its-kind in Dubai.
- It will offer 'learn to swim' programmes and squad training from internationally accredited coaches.
Seth Chappels
- He was born and raised in Great Britain. He represented his country at international level, including at the Commonwealth Games and the World Swimming Championships.
- Chappels went to work for David Lloyd Leisure implementing swimming programmes for one of the largest private leisure clubs in the UK.
- He first arrived in Dubai to work as Director of Aquatics at GEMS Swim Academy, where he worked for three years before joining Dubai Sports City.
Dubai Sports City
- It is a $4 billion, 50 million square foot development, which will be the world's first integrated purpose-built sports city.
- The development will be built around five major sports venues and feature a series of major sports academy facilities. For further information, visit www.dubaisportscity.com.
