Sports | Wednesday 24 August, 2016 12:46 pm |

Manchester City FC are launching the new City Football Schools season in the UAE with an expanded team of professional coaches and female-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.

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.” 

As well as a new venue and a larger coaching team, City Football School will also be offering newly created female-only training session.

Speaking about the dedicated female-only sessions, Hewitt added: “The popularity and awareness of women’s football is not only growing here in the UAE but it is 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.”

Speaking about the increase in coaching staff and their new premises Hewitt said: “We return after the summer with an expanded coaching team of 10 professionals who have all been part of the Manchester City FC team at the Etihad Campus in Manchester and since we started City Football Schools in Abu Dhabi several years ago we have seen it grow each season. The development of the boys and girls – both on and off the pitch – has just been fantastic to see.”

Through its newly increased 10-strong team of coaching staff, City Football Schools gives the younger generation in Abu Dhabi an opportunity to improve their football skills, stay healthy, make friends and have lots of fun in a positive and friendly learning environment all under the guidance and supervision of fully qualified City Football coaches.

The new City Football Schools season begins on August 28th and runs until June 22nd 2017 in four terms which are eight and 10 weeks’ long.