Sports | Friday 29 December, 2017 4:15 am |

Abu Dhabi Cricket (ADC), with the full support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), has opened registrations for the second term of the Zayed Cricket Academy (ZCA) - the UAE’s most prestigious junior cricket coaching programme. The 10-week long coaching term will commence on 8th January 2018. As cricket continues to grow in the Emirate with the recent successful hosting of 5 games of the recent Pakistan v Sri Lanka bilateral series, the ICC Intercontinental Cup finale and the ICC World Cricket League Championship games, ZCA is an important driving force behind ADC’s mission to strengthen and promote grassroots sport in Abu Dhabi. 

 

The Academy is open to both boys and girls, aged from four to 18, and is divided into three distinct coaching programmes based on age and ability - Junior, Intermediate and Senior. The Junior Academy was launched in May 2017 with the aim of introducing children aged 10 and under to basic cricketing technique and to promote a healthy and active lifestyle. The Intermediate Academy is for children aged between 10 and 15 who want to develop their basic skills and understanding of the game. The Senior Academy caters to children aged 12 and above who have good experience and understanding of the game. The Senior Academy trainees will practice twice a week and will have the opportunity to play competitive matches, which may include domestic competitions, international tours and games against international visiting sides.

 

Speaking about the Academy, His Excellency Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of ADSC, said, “Our vision at Abu Dhabi Sports Council is to grow participation in all sports via our network of increasingly impressive world-class facilities here in the Capital. One of our key roles is to promote a healthier lifestyle for all residents and to ensure we encourage all kids to try out a variety of sports. The Zayed Cricket Academy is batting with us in this mission, by providing world-class cricketing facilities, the best coaches in the country, flexible course timings to guarantee maximum participation – and all at a very attractive price point. I encourage everyone to get down to Abu Dhabi Cricket and sign up for what is going to be a fantastic season on the new facilities.”

 

In the past, Zayed Cricket Academy students have enjoyed fantastic and interactive coaching sessions with the likes of Pakistan legend Younis Khan and the Lord’s Taverners team which featured Ian Bell and former England captain Mike Gatting. Gary Kirsten Academy’s legendary coach Jimmy Cook has most recently spent some time at the Academy.

 

“We’re excited to be entering our second term with the revamped Zayed Cricket Academy. We intend to position Abu Dhabi as a cricketing hub - with both world-class events and a junior programme designed to advance tomorrow’s cricketing heroes. We want to develop the sport’s ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, to engage our youth and ensure cricket is accessible to kids of all abilities, ages and backgrounds. My thanks go to Abu Dhabi Sports Council - its support for Abu Dhabi Cricket has been unwavering and we’re privileged to have them spearheading our mission,” said Matthew Boucher, the acting CEO of Abu Dhabi Cricket.

 

The Junior Academy students will have the option of training on either Monday or Wednesday from 4:30pm to 5:30pm. The price for enrolling into this programme is AED 400.

 

The Intermediate Academy programme is priced at AED 1200. Sessions will run on Fridays and Saturdays from 4pm to 5:30 pm.

 

The cost of enrolling for the Senior Academy is AED 1200 and the students have two options to choose from. The first option entails practice on Monday and Wednesday from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. The participants in this group will have the added benefit of playing matches on Fridays from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. The second option provides practice sessions on Thursday (either 7:00pm to 8:30 pm or 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm) and Friday (either 6:00pm to 7:30pm or 8:00pm to 9:30pm).

 

The Senior Academy students also have the option of availing the transportation service, which will ferry them from the Etihad Building (Opposite Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre) to the academy and back. This service costs AED 300 and is available on a strictly first come, first served basis.