Coaches at Manchester United Soccer Schools (MUSS) in Abu Dhabi are introducing hundreds of Emirati and international school pupils to the art of the beautiful game in a series of local school visits around the UAE capital
The one-hour sessions are proving a big hit with schools such as Al Rabeeh, Al Yasmina, Cambridge High School and Pearl Primary School as dozens of pupils – both boys and girls – receive a taster in learning to play football the ‘United’ way. MUSS plans to visit a number of additional schools within the next ten days to reach as many youngsters as possible.
The local school outreach programme is being delivered as part of the run up to the new 2011-2012 MUSS season which officially begins on Saturday 1 October at their dedicated home next to the Dome@Rawdhat on Airport Road.
On Sunday 25 September, from 6pm to 8pm, a dedicated session for teachers will be held to give them the opportunity to understand the role MUSS hopes to play within the local schools this year, as well as experiencing a taste of the on- and off-field programme firsthand.
“It's been great to get into some new schools this year and welcome budding footballers to our home at the Dome@Rawdhat,” said Andy Dixon, head coach at MUSS in Abu Dhabi. “Our aim is to reach out to more youngsters, of all abilities, who want to improve their soccer skills, meet new friends from all over the world and learn about living a healthy lifestyle.”
More than 800 seven to 16-year-olds took part in the first season of football programmes run by MUSS following its launch in the UAE capital in October 2010 after signing a partnership agreement with Reem Investments.
Details of the 30-week MUSS schedule for 2011-12 were announced recently, with themes reflecting the dynamic styles seen from players like Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling in United’s brilliant start to the 2011-12 Premiership campaign.
The second series gets under way with the first of three ten-week courses, ‘Learn to pass and move the United way’, running from 1st October to 15th December 2011. Module two – ‘Learn to dribble and dominate the United way’ – runs from 7th January to 22nd March 2012, and Module three – ‘Learn to attack with flair the United way’ – from 7th April to 22nd June 2012.
Cost of enrolment is AED1,650 for one module, with discounts for those enrolling for two modules (AED2,700 AED) and three modules (AED3,698). The cost includes: an exclusive Soccer Schools Nike Training kit (shirt, socks, shorts), exclusive MUSS giveaway pack, full 10-week coaching programmes with 12 ½ hours of on- field coaching, access to catch- up sessions and individual player evaluation.
