Dubai Sports City Swimming Academy to Make a Big Splash
Dubai Sports City's Swimming Academy is set to have a major impact on the sport in the UAE when it opens in 2009. The world-class facility will include an Olympic-size 50 metre pool, an accredited swim programme for the local community, and offer the ideal training base for international teams.
The first of its kind facility will have state-of the-art video analysis software and a camera system in the pool to allow internationally accredited coaches to provide instant advice to swimmers of all levels of competency.
'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,'
said Dubai Sports City's newly appointed Swimming Academy Manager, Seth Chappels.
The Swimming Academy will also provide the only system in Dubai where the pool can be transformed into two 25 metre short-course pools able to host championships, with VIP areas and spectator seating.
As part of Dubai Sports City's goal of supporting more UAE residents to take part in sport, Dubai Sports City's Swimming Academy will offer 'learn to swim' programmes for all ages and abilities, as well as local squad training.
Dubai Sports City Academies Manager Jeff O'Brien said: 'Dubai Sports City's 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.'
Seth Chappels joined Dubai Sports City from a leading education provider's swimming academy where he was the Director of Aquatics, and under his guidance the squad became the top school at the Middle East Schools Swimming Championships 2007.
As an international athlete, Chappels competed for 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 (home of the Manchester United Soccer School, Dubai), rugby and hockey (FIH WorldHockey Academy), 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.
