Sport plays an important role in helping young people develop confidence, resilience and teamwork. That is why the renewed RGS Dubai Sports Partnership between Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai and ISD Dubai Sports City is significant for pupils, parents and the wider school community.
The two organisations have signed a new seven-year agreement, extending a collaboration that began when the school opened in 2021. The partnership will continue providing pupils with access to professional sporting facilities that support curriculum lessons, extracurricular activities, competitive sport and major school events throughout the academic year.
How the RGS Dubai Sports Partnership Benefits Pupils
The RGS Dubai Sports Partnership gives pupils regular access to facilities across the ISD Dubai Sports City campus, including indoor training domes, outdoor pitches, athletics tracks, tennis courts and the school’s recognised RGS Rugby Park. Approximately 700 pupils use the facilities each week through PE lessons, before-school extracurricular activities, sports training and competitive fixtures.
Additionally, the venue supports up to three and a half hours of timetabled PE and sport each week, with enough capacity to accommodate sessions for up to 180 pupils at one time.
For families, this means students benefit from regular participation in high-quality sporting environments that encourage healthy lifestyles alongside academic learning.
Matthew Pearce, Principal of Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai said,
“We are delighted to strengthen our long-standing partnership with ISD Dubai Sports City, which has become an integral part of the RGS Dubai experience and our wider sporting programme. A truly well-rounded education extends far beyond the classroom, and this collaboration has created exceptional opportunities for our pupils to develop confidence, resilience, teamwork and character through sport, all within an inspiring environment that reflects the ambition and values of RGS Dubai.”
Supporting School Sport Across Dubai
Beyond weekly lessons and training sessions, the RGS Dubai Sports Partnership has helped establish RGS Rugby Park as a recognised venue for Dubai Affiliated School Sports Association league fixtures and school sporting events. Visiting schools regularly compete at the venue during the rugby season. As a result, RGS Dubai has strengthened its growing reputation within school sport across the UAE.
Furthermore, the facilities have enabled the school to host large sporting events, including senior school sports days and regional competitions such as the BSME Games.
Daniels Petrovs, CEO of ISD Dubai Sports City shared,
“Renewing this partnership for a further seven years reflects exactly the role we believe ISD Dubai Sports City should play in this region. Dubai Sports City is home to a community of over 8,000 students, and we sit at the centre of that. That comes with responsibility, and it comes with opportunity. Sport shapes young people in ways that go far beyond performance, and the schools we partner with are how we fulfil that belief at scale. RGS Dubai has been part of this community since 2021, and this renewal is a commitment to deepening that relationship and to what we are collectively building here for the long term.”
Creating Opportunities Beyond Competition
The partnership supports more than competitive success. It also gives pupils consistent opportunities to build confidence, develop leadership skills and enjoy sport as part of everyday school life.
James Bennett, Assistant Head of Co-Curricular and Partnerships at Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai commented,
“What makes this partnership so impactful is the consistency and scale of opportunity it creates for our pupils every single week. From hosting major fixtures and tournaments to delivering high-quality daily training environments, the facilities allow our students to experience school sport in a truly aspirational and professional setting. The partnership has become an essential part of our enhanced sports provision and plays a significant role in supporting both participation and performance sport across the school.”
Moreover, the renewed agreement creates opportunities to expand sporting activities, community events and wider engagement initiatives in the years ahead.
A Long-Term Commitment to Pupil Wellbeing
Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai combines more than 500 years of educational heritage with a modern approach to learning in the UAE. Sport remains a central part of that experience. Alongside the facilities at ISD Dubai Sports City, pupils also benefit from outstanding on-campus amenities, including a 25-metre swimming pool and a FIFA-approved football pitch.
Ultimately, the extended RGS Dubai Sports Partnership reflects the growing importance schools place on physical education and wellbeing. For parents, it provides reassurance that pupils will continue to enjoy high-quality sporting experiences that support both personal development and academic success throughout their school journey.
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