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Are you a soccer champ too?

I’ll admit – I’m not much of a sports buff. As I spend most days tied to my chair in front of a computer, I do try to be physically active once a day. Either a 30-minute walk or swim is my daily dose; that’s usually as much as I can fit into my schedule. I don’t care to watch others play sports either, but I do admire those who commit themselves to a sporting career. The great ones have such passion and drive. (I have that too, just for other things!)

Graziano Mannari – former professional player

I recently got the chance to meet one such individual. I sat down with Graziano Mannari, a former AC Milan player and Champions League winner, to learn that he and his team are working hard to activate our Villagers and get us and our kids moving! He is heading up the AC Milan Soccer School Dubai, one of 19 affiliated clubs worldwide. Overall, these clubs train some 9,000 children with 170 coaches across all continents. Graziano has been Head Coach at AC Milan Academies in Italy, Lithuania, Japan, Singapore and now Dubai. He has brought together a team of professional UEFA and AC Milan qualified coaches to work with kids in Dubai. It’s exciting to know that they have chosen JVT and Sunmarke school as one of their prime venues.

AC Milan Soccer School Dubai

At the AC Milan Academy, they focus on the growth and development of boys and girls aged 4 to 16 with their accredited program at Sunmarke school. Besides the training and skills development carried out according to the AC Milan Methodology, the club’s boys and girls participate in international and local leagues and tournaments, can attend training at AC Milan Youth HQ in Milan, overseen by AC Milan Staff and are invited to participate in the AC Milan Cup, AC Milan Clinic and the AC Milan Experience. Pretty cool stuff.

Giving Back

What I enjoyed most when chatting with Graziano was that he sees soccer as so much more than just a game. He and his team aim to not only teach kids to play soccer, and play well, but also to deliver important life skills. He believes deeply in using sport to promote good values and shape intelligent, caring individuals. He is a truly caring citizen. He’s also a hidden community angel, working with Dubai’s Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation to ensure that minor children who have lost one or both parents get the chance to participate in the AC Milan Soccer School Academy too. It seems to me that Graziano is surely not in it for the money or the fame – he truly has the well-being of all children at heart. And this is what sets AC Milan Soccer School apart from the pack!

Sign up and join the fun!

If you’re interested to enroll your girls & boys with the AC Milan Soccer School Dubai, or maybe help organize a community soccer event, contact them by:
email: info@acmilansoccerschool-dubai.ae or Tel: 0562469100
Visit their website for more details.

Current Schedule at Sunmarke School:

Wednesday at 4.30-6pm
Friday at 4.30-6pm and 6-7.30pm
Saturday at 9-10.30am and 10.30am-12pm

With the arrival of the New Year, JVT has a number of new after school activities now available.

Ballet classes have started at Arcadia Preparatory school run by New York Sports Services on Saturday mornings for the little ones.

If dance is your thing, the Shiamak Super 7 is starting this week at Sunmarke school. The high energy classes will teach you 7 different styles in 8 classes. Bolly Jive, Bhangra Swag, Salsa Fusion, Gully Hip Hop, Theatre Contemporary, MJ Zinghat and Swag Jazz. Time to dust off your dancing shoes and get over to Sunmarke every Sunday and Tuesday. Who is going to join me? I’m giving this a try next Sunday night. Check out the JVT activities list for the class timings and details to register!

Our friends at Budo Juku have now started classes also in Arcadia so we have double the opportunities in 2018 to learn a new martial art! Try out Taekwondo, Judo, Karate or the Mixed Martial Arts class. I’m very tempted to try the MMA class myself. They teach both kids and adults. No excuses for the parents not to stay fit too!

Swimming is an excellent sport to get toned and work all the muscles in your body. Hanging out at the pool can also be a great way to make new friends! There are classes on every day between High Performance Swimming, Warrior Sport and now NYSS classes at Arcadia too. Visit the Activities Page or the JVT Calendar for all the details.

The Winter Walkers can also be spotted around JVT every Wednesday evening. Get in touch with them and join the band for some free physical activity.

Not so sporty? Why not enroll the kids in after school Chess Club or take a language lesson with Headway Institute. They have a whole lot of choices on offer.

If none of this sounds appealing, there are also tennis classes, basketball, aikido, drama classes, belly dancing, football, pilates, yoga or Zumba. All this as we wait for Nakheel to build and open the cycle path through JVT.

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