Australian cricket legend Rod Marsh visited students at Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS) and put his professional coaching skills to the test.
Students received an exclusive introduction to the International Cricket Council (ICC) Global Cricket Academy’s (GCA) distinctive training techniques from the former Australian International, who has taken on the role of Director of Coaching.
“The students showed an overwhelming interest and enthusiasm for the game and responded well to the training,” said Rod Marsh, Director of Coaching at the ICC Global Cricket Academy.
“Our training sessions are designed in such a way that students improve their knowledge of the game and acquire new skills in a fun and interactive environment,” he added.
The ICC Global Cricket Academy plans to provide on-site coaching at local schools and clubs, as well as coaching clinics and courses for local children of all ages and abilities at Dubai Sports City. The Academy’s world-class facilities will be utilized by local teams and visiting international teams when availability allows.
Marc Archer, General Manager, ICC Global Cricket Academy said: “The ICC Global Cricket Academy will combine the most advanced sporting facilities and technologies available with a staff of leading international coaches and visiting professionals, giving players of all levels the opportunity to develop and sharpen their skills.”
Work on the Academy Campus area of Dubai Sports City should be completed by the end of 2008.
About Dubai Sports City
Dubai Sports City (DSC), the cornerstone project of Dubailand, is a USD 4 billion, 50 million square feet mixed-use development which will be the world’s first integrated purpose-built sports city.
The development will be built around five major sports venues:
• a 60,000 capacity multi-purpose outdoor stadium for football, rugby, track and field and other sports and non-sports events
• a 10,000 seat multi-purpose indoor arena suitable for all hard court sports as well as concerts and other events and also including a removable ice rink
• a 25,000 capacity cricket stadium, with state-of-the-art facilities for players, match officials, VIPs, spectators and the media
• a 5,000 seat field hockey stadium
• a 72-par, 18-hole championship golf course designed by South African star Ernie Els
In addition to the stadia, Dubai Sports City will feature a series of major sports academy facilities including:
• Dubai Sports City Football Academy, the home of Manchester United Soccer Schools, Dubai
• a David Lloyd Tennis Academy
• a Butch Harmon School of Golf, the first such facility outside the United States
• the International Cricket Council’s own ICC Global Cricket Academy
• the WorldHockey Academy, a first of its kind partnership with the International Hockey Federation
• top class multi-sport training facilities including gymnasium and a 50 metre swimming pool
• a world-renowned sports medicine and rehabilitation centre
Designed as a lifestyle development, Dubai Sports City will also feature comprehensive community facilities including:
▪ Next Generation Country Club and spa facility
▪ a large-scale shopping mall
▪ two retail hubs offering up-scale dining and boutique shopping
▪ a range of schools
▪ medical facilities
▪ community centres
▪ hotels
