SPORT @ DUBAI INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY - EMIRATES HILLS
Best Sport School Award Application
Health & Wellness Education
Our vision of sport extends beyond performance-it is a lifelong foundation for well-being. At DIA Emirates Hills, health and wellness education is woven through every stage of the student journey. We teach students how to care for their physical, emotional, and social health through a curriculum grounded in inquiry, real-world relevance, and reflection. Topics such as nutrition, sleep, stress management, and mental health are explored with openness and depth, encouraging students to take responsibility for their own well-being. More than just knowledge, we aim to develop positive attitudes and habits that students will carry throughout their lives. True to our philosophy, we believe a school’s success lies in nurturing individuals who understand the value of balance, know how to care for themselves and others, and are empowered to lead active, fulfilling lives.
Fitness for Life
We believe that physical fitness is not a seasonal goal -it is a lifelong investment in health, happiness, and purpose.
At DIA Emirates Hills, we believe that physical fitness is not a seasonal goal—it is a lifelong investment in health, happiness, and personal purpose. Our philosophy goes beyond short-term performance to promote a “Fitness for Life” mindset, empowering students to view movement as a sustainable and joyful part of their everyday lives. We are committed to nurturing self-awareness, motivation, and independence so that fitness becomes an intrinsic part of who they are, not merely something they do during their school years.
A key element of this philosophy has been the introduction of the HYROX Official Workshop, hosted exclusively for our students and staff. HYROX is a globally recognised fitness challenge combining functional strength and endurance exercises, and its principles align perfectly with our mission to promote comprehensive, real-world fitness skills. Through the workshop, students experience modern training methodologies that enhance cardiovascular capacity, muscular endurance, and functional movement efficiency. The sessions also introduce concepts of pacing, recovery, and tactical exercise design - fostering deeper understanding of how to train effectively for both health and performance. For staff, the HYROX workshop provided professional development, expanding their knowledge of fitness programming and reinforcing their ability to role-model active, healthy lifestyles to students.
By embedding initiatives like HYROX alongside personalised fitness education, we prepare students not only for immediate achievement but for sustainable, balanced living. Fitness is not positioned as an obligation or a temporary pursuit, but as an integral, enjoyable, and essential part of a healthy, fulfilling life. Our graduates leave DIA Emirates Hills with the knowledge, habits, and intrinsic motivation to lead active, resilient, and joyful lives long after their final school sport season ends.
Sport Literacy & Values
At DIA Emirates Hills, sport is not only a means of physical development - it is a platform for building life-long values and essential social competencies. Our students are taught to understand and appreciate the broader ecosystem of sport, including roles such as coaches, officials, organisers, and leaders. They explore concepts of fair play, ethics, leadership, collaboration, and respect through both participation and guided reflection. In every lesson and team environment, we promote accountability, empathy, and resilience - core traits that serve students far beyond the pitch. By embedding sports literacy into our curriculum and co-curricular life, we develop individuals who can think critically, act with integrity, and contribute meaningfully to the communities they are part of. These values are not abstract ideals—they are lived daily, supported by positive role models, thoughtful instruction, and a strong school-wide culture of respect and responsibility.
Pathways Beyond Graduation
We are deeply committed to supporting students in turning their passion for sport into a purposeful future. At DIA Emirates Hills, we offer structured pathways that connect students to careers, higher education, and leadership roles in the world of sport. Whether aspiring to become athletes, coaches, physiotherapists, sport scientists, or managers, our students are guided through mentoring, academic planning, and tailored development opportunities. Alumni have secured scholarships and placements at leading global institutions including Loughborough, UCLA, The University of Toronto, and Boston College. Through guest speaker sessions, work placements, and university application support, we ensure students are prepared—mentally, academically, and emotionally—for the next chapter. Our goal is to show them that sport is not just a school experience, but a lifelong journey with countless avenues for contribution, excellence, and personal fulfillment.
Parent & Community Education
At DIA Emirates Hills, we recognise that the values of sport—well-being, resilience, and leadership-are most powerful when reinforced across school, home, and community. That’s why we actively engage parents as partners in our sporting vision. Our Family Sports Days are a true celebration of unity, joy, and physical activity, bringing families and staff together to share meaningful moments on the field. During initiatives like the Dubai 30x30 Fitness Challenge, we proudly welcome parent professionals to lead health and well-being sessions, contributing expertise in areas such as nutrition, injury prevention, and mental health. These experiences help students see sport as a lifestyle, not just a subject, and parents as role models who live the values we promote. Beyond events, we also offer parents opportunities to serve as assistant coaches across selected teams and activities. Their support strengthens our sense of community and enriches the student experience with mentorship and diversity. Together, we build a vibrant, inclusive environment where every child is surrounded by encouragement, guided by example, and inspired to live actively for life.
Life-Saving Skills & Emergency Preparedness
At DIA Emirates Hills, we believe that part of preparing students for life is ensuring they are equipped to act confidently in critical situations. Through our Physical and Health Education programme, students receive age-appropriate training in essential life-saving skills such as CPR, AED use, and basic first aid. Juniors are introduced to safety awareness and how to seek help, while older students participate in certified workshops that build hands-on competence and readiness. These sessions are embedded in our commitment to well-being, leadership, and social responsibility—reinforcing the idea that being active also means being prepared. Whether responding to a peer’s injury during sport or recognising an emergency in the wider community, our students are taught to stay calm, take action, and lead with care. Life-saving education is not just a safety measure—it is a powerful lesson in maturity, responsibility, and service to others.