AIS Athletics at Dubai American Academy, Al Barsha
- Ages3+years and up
- PriceAED 85a session, lowest price
- OpenAskNot published yet
- Where2 branchesAl Barsha, Al Barsha SouthSee on the map
About AIS Athletics
AIS Athletics is a track and field academy that trains children and teenagers at school venues across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Two are in Al Barsha: the indoor track at Dubai American Academy (DAA) and GEMS World Academy (GWA). Little ones start with Mini Athletics, playful sessions of running, jumping, throwing and balance, which the timetable lists at DAA. FUNdamentals adds more structured athletics skills, and Junior and Youth squads (8-13) move on to Run, Jump, Throw, Just Run and Speed for Sport. Teenagers of 14+ can join the Open Pathway for fun and fitness or, with entry standards, the Competition Pathway. The club says its coaches are British Athletics accredited. Which squads run, and on which days, depends on the venue, so pick a branch on this page for its timetable. Terms are paid in advance through the club's Okrabook booking system, and the first session can be a free trial with no commitment.
The activity
Track & Field, explained
Track and field (athletics) is the sport of running, jumping and throwing. Young children start with games that build balance, coordination and confidence, then move on to sprints, hurdles, middle-distance running, long jump, high jump, shot put and javelin. Kids train in small squads with a coach, learning technique event by event, and many clubs run informal meets so children can see their times and distances improve. It builds speed, strength, body control and a healthy habit of setting and chasing personal bests. Many clubs start children as young as three with playful movement sessions, adding event coaching from around eight.
Who it's for
Children from age 3 upwards. The Ages & Levels page lists Mini Athletics (ages 3-5), FUNdamentals (ages 5-7), Junior and Youth programmes (ages 8-13) and Senior pathways (14+). At DAA the timetable lists Mini Athletics 3-4, FUNdamentals 5-7, Junior Run Jump Throw 8-10, Youth Run Jump Throw 11-13, Just Run 8-13, Youth Speed for Sport, Open Sprints 14+ and Competition Pathway strength and conditioning. GWA's timetable starts at age 5 (FUNdamentals 5-7 and an Indoor Athletics Programme 5-10) and adds Competition Pathway events for 14+. Beginners are welcome; the Competition and Performance pathways need entry standards, and the invitation-only Discovery (8-10) and Rising Potential (11-13) groups run at GWA, not at DAA.
What to expect
The first visit can be a free trial: the club describes it as one session on the track with no commitment, booked through its website. Sessions are about an hour at both venues (45 minutes for Mini Athletics at DAA). The club handbook asks athletes to arrive 15 minutes early, greet the coach, set out water and a towel, warm up, then join a coach huddle on the session's focus before training starts, finishing with a team stretch. Beginner squads (Mini, FUNdamentals, Run Jump Throw, Open) wear red training kit, which is bought through the member account. Ask the provider what your child should wear for a trial.
Highlights
- Mini Athletics for ages 3-4 on Saturday mornings at DAA (aisathleticsuae.com timetable)
- Free trial session with no commitment (aisathleticsuae.com)
- Coaches described as British Athletics accredited and licensed (aisathleticsuae.com)
- Clear pathway from Mini Athletics to Junior, Youth and 14+ squads (AIS Handbook 2026-27)
- Two-term year; Term 1 2026/27 runs 31 August 2026 to 14 February 2027 (aisathleticsuae.com)
- Invitation-only Discovery (8-10) and Rising Potential (11-13) talent groups run on Sundays at GWA (aisathleticsuae.com timetable)
Why parents rate it
What parents say on Google
On Google, the GEMS World Academy branch is rated 4.9 from 206 reviews. The Dubai American Academy indoor track listing has no rating yet. The club offers one free trial session, so families can see a session on the track before signing up for a term.
The facts
- Ages
- Mini Athletics: 3-5
- FUNdamentals: 5-7
- Junior & Youth: 8-13
- Senior: 14+ (DAA timetable: Mini Athletics 3-4, FUNdamentals 5-7, Run Jump Throw 8-13, Open Sprints 14+)
- Prices
- Term 1 2026/27 (21 weeks, 31 Aug 2026-14 Feb 2027), other squads: AED 2,100 for 1 session a week, AED 3,780 for 2, AED 4,410 for 3, AED 4,620 for 4-5 (AED 100 a session at 1 a week). Mini Athletics AED 85 a session and FUNdamentals AED 90 a session at 1 a week (about AED 1,785 and AED 1,890 for the term). Pro-rated from the date of joining; discount for more sessions a week; kit and competitions extra.
- Schedule
- DAA: Monday and Wednesday 5-6PM FUNdamentals 5-7 (Monday also Youth Speed for Sport 11-13), 6:05-7:05PM Junior & Youth Run Jump Throw 8-13; Saturday 8-8:45AM Mini Athletics 3-4, 8-9AM FUNdamentals 5-7, Junior Run Jump Throw 8-10, Youth Run Jump Throw 11-13; 9-10AM Junior & Youth Just Run 8-13, Youth Speed for Sport 10-13, Open Sprints 14+, Competition Pathway S&C.
- Trial
- Free trial session, no commitment, booked online
- Where
- Dubai American Academy indoor track, Hessa Street, Al Barsha, Dubai
Questions parents ask
Good to know
- Weekly sessions Monday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings (aisathleticsuae.com timetable)
- Mini Athletics 3-4 runs here on Saturdays, 8-8:45AM (aisathleticsuae.com timetable)
- Invitation-only Discovery and Rising Potential groups do not run here (aisathleticsuae.com timetable)
- Fees are paid in advance for the full term and are non-refundable once the programme starts; missed sessions are not refunded or made up (aisathleticsuae.com FAQ)
- Joining mid-term, fees are pro-rated automatically in the booking system, with a discount for more sessions per week (aisathleticsuae.com)
- Competitions and AIS kit cost extra (aisathleticsuae.com)
- Outdoor sessions may be changed, moved or cancelled for heat, rain or poor air quality (aisathleticsuae.com FAQ)
- Bookings and schedules are managed in the AIS Okrabook account and app (aisathleticsuae.com)
- The two venues have different weekly timetables; pick a branch on this page to see its sessions (aisathleticsuae.com)
Prices, ages and times change — confirm with the provider before you book.
Location
Skip mapHessa Street - Sheikh Zayed Rd - Dubai
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