SPORT @ DUBAI INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY - EMIRATES HILLS
Best Sport School Award Application
CCA Programme Structure and Statistics
The Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) programme at DIA Emirates Hills plays a central role in building a vibrant, active, and inclusive school culture. Designed to complement academic learning and our structured Physical & Health Education curriculum, the CCA programme offers a broad and balanced menu of sport opportunities that promote holistic development, student voice, and lifelong well-being.
Each term, over 2,370 students from both Primary and Secondary engage in 143 unique CCA options offered weekly across our indoor and outdoor facilities. With an 86.5% participation rate, our CCA model is a true reflection of student enthusiasm, parent support, and our team’s unwavering commitment to making sport accessible, diverse, and enjoyable for all. The programme includes a strategic balance of competitive teams, recreational sport options, open-skill clubs, fitness and wellness sessions, and foundation-level coaching to allow every learner to find their path.
Activities run before school, during lunch breaks, and after school—ensuring flexibility and inclusivity for students with different schedules, abilities, and levels of confidence. Our sports CCAs are supported by trained internal staff as well as expert coaches from our trusted academy partners, providing both consistency and specialisation. Attendance is monitored not only to ensure commitment, but to identify students ready for progression into teams or advanced pathways.
By capturing data on sign-ups, retention, and skill development, we ensure that our CCA offerings are not only rich in variety but responsive to student needs. The model is continually reviewed, refined, and aligned with student interest trends, performance targets, and well-being objectives.
In short, the CCA sport structure at DIA EH is more than an add-on—it is a core element of our sport identity. It offers scale, opportunity, and care—so that every student can find a space to grow, lead, and fall in love with movement.
Inclusive Sport Opportunities
At DIA Emirates Hills, inclusivity is not a side initiative—it is the foundation of our sporting culture. We believe every student should experience the joy, growth, and sense of belonging that sport can offer, regardless of their skill level, background, or experience. Our inclusive sport model ensures that participation is not limited to elite athletes, but open to all students who are willing to engage, improve, and enjoy being part of something greater than themselves.
We maintain a ‘Sport for All’ philosophy, ensuring every student has access to an activity that suits their interests and needs. Our CCA and team selection processes are designed to identify not just talent, but potential and passion. In many sports, we field A, B, and C teams across multiple year groups—expanding opportunities for representation, progress, and competition. This allows students at all ability levels to experience the thrill of representing their school while receiving developmentally appropriate coaching and support.
Beyond team sports, students can explore individual and lifestyle-based activities such as yoga, running, swimming, climbing, fitness circuits, and functional training. These options appeal to students who may prefer personal challenges or alternative expressions of physicality. Our lunchtime and open-club sessions allow for flexible engagement, with no pressure to compete—only encouragement to participate.
Additionally, we actively celebrate personal milestones and progress stories—not just medals or podiums. We highlight students who’ve shown resilience, commitment, or breakthrough performances at their level. Coaches and teachers are trained to create safe, welcoming environments where every student feels seen, valued, and inspired to keep improving.
This inclusive approach strengthens school spirit, enhances well-being, and reflects our belief that sport must be a place where everyone can belong. At DIA EH, we don't just build athletes—we build confidence, connection, and character through sport.
Student-Led Initiatives and Sport Clubs
Empowering students to take ownership of their sport journey is a defining feature of our culture at DIA Emirates Hills. Through a range of student-led initiatives and sport clubs, we provide platforms for young leaders to shape, drive, and celebrate sport within their own peer communities-fostering voice, agency, and a deeper connection to the values of lifelong learning and participation.
Students at both primary and secondary levels are encouraged to initiate and lead sport-focused clubs or campaigns that align with their interests and vision. Whether it’s founding a lunchtime running group, organising a mini badminton ladder, or planning a themed fitness challenge, our students are supported by mentors who help turn ideas into structured, sustainable opportunities. These clubs often span a range of purposes-from performance enhancement to social wellness and movement-based fun-ensuring broad appeal and impact.
The Sports Ambassadors Programme also plays a vital role in student leadership. Ambassadors actively promote school events, lead warm-ups, assist coaches, welcome new students into teams, and represent the student voice in sport-related decisions. They are selected not only for skill, but for their ability to lead by example, communicate effectively, and inspire their peers.
Our students have also initiated creative crossovers between sport and wider school life-organising events during house competitions, leading activities for primary students, and embedding movement-based components into student wellness days. These initiatives highlight our students’ capacity to see sport as more than a game-but as a platform for creativity, inclusion, and leadership.
By nurturing these opportunities, we foster a culture where sport is not something students simply join—but something they actively shape. These experiences build confidence, initiative, and collaboration-skills that remain with them long after the final whistle and far beyond school grounds.
Unified Sports & SEN-Friendly Options
At DIA Emirates Hills, we are deeply committed to ensuring that sport is a space where every student - regardless of ability—can belong, participate, and thrive. Our inclusive model goes beyond access; it actively celebrates diversity through dedicated Unified Sports initiatives and SEN-friendly adaptations that make physical activity meaningful and empowering for all learners.
We recognise that students with determination and additional learning needs may require differentiated approaches—but not different expectations in terms of respect, inclusion, and opportunity. Our teachers and coaches work closely with the learning support department to provide modified equipment, tailored instruction, and adapted spaces that allow for safety, confidence, and success. Activities are designed to promote enjoyment, motor skill development, confidence building, and social connection—ensuring every student experiences progress in a supportive, low-pressure environment.
One of the most powerful aspects of our inclusive philosophy is the integration of Unified Sports experiences, where students of all abilities train and play together on the same teams. These experiences break down barriers, build empathy, and foster genuine friendships through shared goals and teamwork. Whether through Unified Football matches, inclusive fitness circuits, or mixed-skill wellness games, these moments represent our belief that sport can unite rather than divide.
Our Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) schedule also includes specific sport sessions open to all students with tailored support in place. SEN students are encouraged to take part in wider school events, including Sports Days, House competitions, and recreational open clubs—further reinforcing the message that they are full and valued members of the school’s sport community.
At DIA EH, inclusivity in sport is not a policy—it is a lived, daily reality. We work continuously to remove barriers, celebrate difference, and ensure that every child, regardless of their starting point, can experience the joy, purpose, and confidence that movement brings.
Girls in Sport Focus
At DIA Emirates Hills, we are committed to creating a sport culture where every girl feels empowered to participate, perform, and lead. Our approach is not only about providing equal access-it’s about fostering a climate of confidence, respect, and aspiration that enables girls to thrive in sport on their own terms.
We offer a wide range of opportunities tailored to girls' interests, strengths, and growth pathways-from traditional team sports like football, basketball, volleyball, and netball, to individual pursuits such as swimming, fencing, athletics, and functional fitness. Girls participate in local and international leagues, and we proudly celebrate their achievements both on and off the podium. We ensure that training times, coaching support, and fixture opportunities reflect our belief in balanced, equitable development across genders.
Our Co-Curricular and Competitive Sports programmes feature high levels of female participation across primary and secondary. We consistently field strong girls' teams across all age categories, including in emerging and non-traditional sports such as climbing, triathlon, aquathlon, and water polo. We encourage multi-sport participation to help girls explore different roles and forms of leadership, self-expression, and team collaboration.
Beyond the field, our coaches play an essential role in mentoring and supporting our female athletes. We offer developmentally appropriate guidance, goal setting, and wellness support, while also addressing performance mindset, body confidence, and the social-emotional factors that often impact girls’ participation in adolescence. Our Sports Ambassadors Programme includes many female leaders who serve as role models to younger students, promoting visibility and inspiration across the school.
Parent engagement is also key. We work closely with families to ensure shared understanding and encouragement for girls in sport. Whether leading in tournaments, supporting wellness days, or guiding junior students in CCAs, girls at DIA are not just participants—they are changemakers.
By embedding intentional structures, tailored support, and a visible culture of celebration, we ensure that girls in sport at DIA EH are not only included-they are inspired to lead.
Emerging & Adventure Sports
At DIA Emirates Hills, our sport programme boldly expands beyond the conventional. We embrace emerging and adventure sports that ignite curiosity, challenge comfort zones, and cultivate lifelong passion for physical activity. These experiences allow students to explore dynamic disciplines, develop unique skills, and build physical confidence in non-traditional sporting environments.
Our emerging sport offerings include fencing, triathlon, water polo, climbing, and aquathlon-disciplines that blend physical endurance with strategic thinking and personal challenge. Delivered through a mix of curriculum integration, CCAs, and clubs and federation-supported development, these sports allow students to train with expert coaches and compete locally and internationally, expanding their understanding of high-performance sport in new forms.
Adventure sport plays a central role in our co-curricular vision. Students have access to thrilling experiences such as skiing, sailing, horse riding, trail running, and water sports, surf, including kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. These are offered through residential trips, seasonal intensives, and partnerships with elite providers and outdoor education organisations. Such activities promote balance, bravery, and environmental awareness—giving students unforgettable moments of connection to nature, challenge, and self-discovery.
We are especially proud of our annual ski programmes in Europe, where students not only refine their technique in alpine environments, but also build resilience, independence, and international-mindedness. These experiences are carefully curated to be developmentally appropriate, culturally enriching, and physically rewarding.
Adventure and emerging sports are also a powerful platform for inclusion. Students who may not thrive in traditional team games often find their place, purpose, and passion in these alternative spaces. We encourage exploration, celebrate effort, and ensure pathways for progression.
Through this commitment, we ensure that sport at DIA EH remains bold, future-facing, and filled with possibility-so that every student, from aspiring competitor to curious explorer, can find a sport they love and a journey they’re excited to pursue.
Recreational & Non-Competitive Pathways
At DIA Emirates Hills, we recognise that the impact of sport is not limited to competition. For many students, recreational and non-competitive pathways offer the most meaningful entry into lifelong movement, wellness, and confidence. Our programme ensures that students who wish to stay active without the pressures of performance or league participation have ample opportunity to do so - through a wide and flexible range of enjoyable, accessible, and empowering activities.
Our Open Clubs are a cornerstone of this inclusive model. These sessions are designed for all ability levels and are open to students simply wishing to improve their skills, maintain fitness, or have fun through movement. With no team selection required, these clubs create a welcoming environment where students can try new sports, meet peers from different year groups, and discover physical activities they enjoy on their own terms.
We offer a rich variety of recreational CCAs and wellness-based clubs across Primary and Secondary - including yoga, dance fitness, strength & conditioning, jogging club, functional training, indoor games, and open-play basketball or football sessions. These clubs focus on enjoyment, health, and personal growth rather than performance metrics, and are led by supportive coaches and staff who foster connection and positivity.
For students who thrive in individual pursuits or need more flexible options, we also provide access to non-competitive outdoor activities such as cycling, hiking, and water-based activities during trips and wellness days. These moments connect movement with joy, reflection, and real-world experience - reaffirming our belief that sport should support the whole child.
Recreational sport also plays a vital role in mental health, stress reduction, and social connection - particularly for students balancing academic demands or navigating adolescence. We actively promote these benefits across school communications and ensure that students know their choice to participate recreationally is just as valued as competing at the highest level.
At DIA EH, we view non-competitive sport not as an alternative - but as a vital, equally celebrated part of our mission: to develop active, confident, and happy young people who carry a love of movement into every stage of life.