What age can my child join?

The academy takes players from age 3 to 18. Beginners & Rookies covers ages 3-14. Age groups vary by school: Horizon International School runs Ages 5-9 and Ages 10-14, and Dubai British School Jumeira lists an Ages 3-5 group.

How much does it cost?

AED 120 per session, with training packages available, plus a AED 350 membership per academic year for new members. Prices include 5% VAT; ask the academy about packages and private training.

Can my child play in matches?

Beginners play in an internal league on Saturdays, 11am to 1pm, at the American School of Dubai. U10-U18 teams play in local leagues, and from U14 players start competing in international tournaments.

Is there a trial session?

Ask the academy: its site doesn't mention one.

What if my child misses a session?

Make-up sessions are offered for illness or injury with a doctor's note, to be used within the same term. Once paid, registrations can't be cancelled.

Dubai Basketball Academy — The Official Youth Program of Dubai Basketball

Q: When is training?

It depends on the school. At Horizon International School, Ages 5-9 train 5 to 6pm and Ages 10-14 6 to 7pm, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pick a branch on this page for its sessions, or ask the academy.

Ball SportsBasketball

New to Waha

Checked Oct 2026Details checked October 2026

Umm Suqeim

Ages3+years and up
PriceAED 120a session, lowest price
OpenAskNot published yet
Where10 branchesUmm Suqeim, Al Barsha South +8See on the map

Book online

Dubai Basketball Academy (DBA), formerly Falcons Academy, has run youth basketball in the UAE since 2014 and says it trains over 500 young players every week, from age 3 to 18. Its office is at the Dubai Basketball Club office in Coca-Cola Arena, but training happens at partner schools, 12 sites across Dubai from Umm Al Sheif and Al Barsha to Dubai Festival City and Silicon Oasis. Each school has its own timetable, so pick a branch on this page to see its address and sessions. The pathway starts with Beginners & Rookies (ages 3-14), moves into Intermediate & Advanced teams (U10-U18) that play in local leagues, and tops out with an Elite Program for U16-U18 players who compete internationally. Sessions cost AED 120 each, plus a AED 350 membership per academic year for new members.

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In the youth leagues

2nd of 10 · U12 boys · DOBA basketball
2nd of 9 · U14 boys · DOBA basketball
3rd of 9 · U16 boys · DOBA basketball

See the full rankings

The activity

Basketball, explained

Basketball is a fast team game where kids learn to dribble, pass, shoot and move together as a unit. Beginners start with the basics in a relaxed setting - at this academy the youngest players use smaller basketballs and lower hoops so the game is within reach. As they progress, sessions add ball-handling, defence and team play, and league games, tournaments and scrimmages are brought in step by step. It builds coordination, fitness, confidence and teamwork, and it is easy to start young: Dubai Basketball Academy takes children from age 3, with most beginner groups for ages 5 and up.

Who it's for

Children and teens aged 3 to 18. Beginners & Rookies (ages 3-14) is for first-timers; Intermediate & Advanced places players in U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18 teams; the Elite Program is for U16-U18. Age groups differ by school: at Horizon International School they are Ages 5-9 and Ages 10-14, Dubai British School Jumeira lists an Ages 3-5 group, and Dubai British School Emirates Hills lists a People of Determination session on Saturdays. Ask the school you pick which groups run there.

What to expect

Beginner sessions focus on the fundamentals (dribbling, passing, shooting and movement) plus the basic rules, in what the academy calls a fun, friendly environment, with smaller balls and lower hoops for the youngest. Groups train for an hour, at the days and times of the school you pick: at Horizon International School, Ages 5-9 train 5 to 6pm and Ages 10-14 6 to 7pm, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Beginners can also join the internal league on Saturdays, 11am to 1pm, at the American School of Dubai. The site doesn't mention a trial session, so ask the academy. Booking is through the academy's online parents portal, and make-up sessions are offered for illness or injury with a doctor's note.

Highlights

Formerly Falcons Academy, running since 2014; says it trains over 500 young players a week (dubaibasketballacademy.com)
Training at 12 partner schools across Dubai, each with its own timetable (dubaibasketballacademy.com)
AED 120 per session; AED 350 membership per academic year for new members, VAT included (dubaibasketballacademy.com)
Pathway from Beginners & Rookies (3-14) to U10-U18 league teams and an Elite Program for U16-U18 (dubaibasketballacademy.com)
Holiday camps in winter, spring and summer breaks, plus one-to-one and small-group (up to 4) personal training (dubaibasketballacademy.com)

Why parents rate it

What parents say on Google

On Google, the Emirates Hills branch is rated 5.0 from 15 reviews, Dubai British School Jumeira 5.0 from 9 and the American School of Dubai 5.0 from 9. Each branch's own rating shows when you pick it.

The facts

Ages: 3-18 (Horizon International School groups: Ages 5-9, Ages 10-14)
Prices: AED 120 per session (training packages available); AED 350 membership per academic year for new members; VAT inclusive
Schedule: Horizon International School: Ages 5-9 Tuesday and Thursday 5-6PM; Ages 10-14 Tuesday and Thursday 6-7PM. Other sites have their own timetables.
Trial: Ask the provider
Where: Horizon International School, Street 9A off Al Wasl Road, Umm Al Sheif, Dubai
How to book: dubaibasketballacademy.classcard.app/en/?view=Grid · +971 50 804 6748 · wa.me/971508046748 · [email protected]
Opening hours: Tue5pm–7pm
Thu5pm–7pm

Questions parents ask

Good to know

Ages 5-9 Tuesday and Thursday 5-6pm; Ages 10-14 Tuesday and Thursday 6-7pm (dubaibasketballacademy.com)
Wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, and a toilet (Google listing)
At Horizon International School: wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, and a toilet (Google listing)
Once paid, registrations can't be cancelled; make-up sessions for illness or injury need a doctor's note and must be used within the same term (dubaibasketballacademy.com)
The academy says it is recognised by the Dubai Sports Council and the UAE Basketball Association, and describes its coaches as FIBA-certified (dubaibasketballacademy.com)
Sessions are at schools, so the academy's Coca-Cola Arena office is for admin, not training (dubaibasketballacademy.com)