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Dubai academy opens gate for English soccer career

Getting into the mainstream of sports back home is virtually impossible for most young expats here but there are a few grassroot level coaches and academies in the UAE who have laid the path for their trainees to be potential professionals.

A livelihood in sports - it is a difficult decision to make for many youngsters and parents, but once the bold step is taken after proper guidance by the primary trainers, the continuity and reliability factors fall into place provided, the youngster is handled by professional scouts and experienced coaches.

The Go-Pro Sports Football Academy (GPSFA) located at Dubai English Speaking College in Academic City is a fine example of how local talent here can be spotted, nurtured and trained for possible inclusion in the professional club setups abroad, especially the UK.

Kirk Hilton, former Manchester United player and director of GPSFA recently took five of the academy’s U12 boys for a trip of a lifetime where they met the Manchester United first team and legend Sir Alex Ferguson. Dubai-based students Sebastian Press, Danyl Chadli, Jack Howard, Dylan Charles and Ryan Muldoon were the trainees fortunate enough to have availed of this great opportunity.

Thrilled over the fact that he and the academy’s devoted coaching and support staff were able to throw open an opportunity like this for budding talent, Hilton said: “The trip also entailed watching the first team train and a tour around the training ground. The trip ended on a high as parents and Go-Pro academy players watched the crunch English Premier League game between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford recently.”

Hilton added: “They saw the Man U academy’s U12s to U16s sides in action and also the future of Man U – the U21 squad plus the star studded senior team during training. The stadium tour also included the first team’s changing rooms and meeting players such as Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and the legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.”

“The trip was to inspire and also to see behind the scenes what it takes to become a Man United player,” Hilton said.

“We have coached two boys, Kieran Geldenhuys and Fabien Speiss, who have gone on to earn themselves professional contracts at Notts County Football Club.”

“With the experience we have coaches of the highest level and we can provide the elite pathway to professional clubs in the UK. We have already had one footballer turn professional and we also have two more with great potential who will be going into clubs again in the near future. The boys selected not only have the ability, but most importantly the right attitude, this is fundamental if they are to achieve their goals,” Hilton said.

Hilton spent many years as a professional footballer. Hilton began his career in the Manchester United youth programme where he was recruited as an 8-year-old and had the honour of going all the way through the coveted MU programme under the watchful eye of Ferguson. Hilton was being groomed by Ferguson for a permanent place in the first team until injuries halted his career in the top flight.

From there, Kirk played for clubs such as Blackpool, Livingston and Royal Antwerp – Manchester Uniteds Belgium based feeder side which was his last club in 2007-08 season.

“At Go Pro Sports, the academy is open to all age groups and abilities, and both boys and girls can attend. As coaches our aim is to improve you in all aspects of the game, whether you want to get fit, improve your technique, socialise with team-mates or go on to become a professional footballer. We provide a fantastic service which will accommodate the child’s needs,” Hilton continued.

“With the standard of coaching we expect nothing less than 100 per cent effort, attitude and application from your child whilst attending Go-Pro Sports. This includes turning up on time, bringing the right equipment and listening to instructions from the coaches, whether it’s just in the warmup or during the drills. It is important to focus for the whole duration of training to achieve maximum success,” according to the official website.

Go-Pro Sports has been in Dubai for the last four years and as a coach and a head of the football section Hilton said: “I know I have the experience to not only improve the level of football here in the United Arab Emirates, but also to offer individuals a chance to understand the game further and to ensure they are aware of what is required to become a professional footballer.”

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