Abu Dhabi: Manchester City FC are launching the new City Football Schools season in the UAE with an expanded team of professional coaches and women-only sessions for young players.
The club are also expanding their coaching premises to Emirates Palace, in addition to the current bases at Zayed Sports City and New York University Saadiyat Campus in Abu Dhabi.
The new City Football Schools season for girls and boys between the ages of three and 16 begins on Sunday and runs until June 22 in four terms of eight and 10 weeks.
City Football School’s Head Coach, Simon Hewitt, said: “City Football Schools are delighted to be back for yet another season, offering a wide variety of opportunities for the next generation of footballers to hone their skills. Due to the demand over the past number of years, we have now increased our facilities, with three venues across the UAE capital, which include Zayed Sports City, New York University Saadiyat Campus and now Emirates Palace.
“As well as increasing our venues, we have also increased the number of dedicated, fully qualified coaches within the team.”
Vincent Kompany, the Manchester City captain, said: “Football is a great way for young people to get active and have a lot of fun as they do it. Being able to provide young players in Abu Dhabi with access to an exciting training programme where they can improve their skills is an initiative everyone at Manchester City is proud of and I’m confident those who take part will really enjoy the experience.”
Speaking about the dedicated women-only sessions, Hewitt added: “The popularity and awareness of women’s football is not only growing here in the UAE, but it is also increasing globally, so too are the number of positive role models we have within the women’s game.
“We want to ensure that every child, whatever their age or ability, has the opportunity to enjoy the game and develop their skills in an environment where they feel safe and secure. Football is an activity for all, that is why we have taken the decision to offer female-only sessions this season and help target those that feel more comfortable in a female-only environment.”
To find out more or to sign up to the new season of City Football Schools, please visit www.cityfootballschools.com.
* City Football Schools will run from August 28 until the June 22, 2017 in four terms which are: Term 1 (28 Aug 2016 — 20 Oct 2016) Term 2 (23 Oct 2016 — 15 Dec 2016) Term 3 (15 Jan 2017 — 23 Mar 2017) Term 4 (09 Apr 2017 — 22 Jun 2017).