Play American Football
- Ages5–17years old
- PriceAED 70a session, lowest price
- OpenAskNot published yet
- WhereAl Barsha SouthPlay American Football - GEMS World AcademyOpen in Maps
About Play American Football
Play American Football (PAF) is a UAE American football organisation established in October 2023 by owner and director Eric Hoerl. It started as an adult flag football league and now also runs a Youth Flag programme for ages 5-17, which began on 25 January 2026. Children train in U6, U10, U13 and U17 groups: 5-6 year olds do Fundamentals (coordination and basic skills), while 7-17s do Advanced, with position training and game play. Flag football is the non-contact form of the game: players pull flags instead of tackling, and there is no blocking. Youth training runs on Sundays, 1:00-2:30pm, and the venue changes with the weather, so check where before you go. PAF trades as E E L American Football Training LLC and says it is approved by the General Authority of Sport, the UAE Rugby Federation and the Dubai Sports Council. Eric Hoerl spent 20 years playing and coaching in Europe and built the youth programme at the Bad Homburg Sentinels, a German club he co-founded in 2016. Rated 5 on Google from 6 reviews.
The activity
American & Flag Football, explained
Flag football is a non-contact version of American football: instead of tackling, players pull a flag from the ball carrier's belt, and there is no blocking. Kids learn the sport's throwing, catching, running and play-reading skills with far less physical risk, which makes it a gentle way in for complete beginners. Sessions usually mix coordination warm-ups, ball drills and small-sided games before full matches, so children build hand-eye coordination, agility, quick decision-making and teamwork. Because every body type has a position to grow into, it suits children who have not found their sport yet. Flag football will also appear at the 2028 Olympic Games, which has helped it grow quickly.
Who it's for
Boys and girls aged 5-17, in U6, U10, U13 and U17 age groups. Ages 5-6 do Fundamentals (coordination and basic skills); ages 7-17 do Advanced (coordination, position training and game play). The registration form covers beginners through to players with 5+ years of flag or tackle experience.
What to expect
Each youth session follows the same plan: a warm-up with coordination training, flag and ball drills, group work with mini games, then full flag football games. Training is on Sundays, 1:00-2:30pm, and the location changes with the weather, so confirm the venue with PAF before your first session. To join, fill in the form on the Youth Flag page (parent and player details, age, school, experience and preferred position), and PAF gets back to you. Trial sessions are not mentioned on the site, so ask the provider. Kit requirements are not published either: ask the provider what to wear.
Highlights
- 5 out of 5 on Google from 6 reviews (Google listing)
- Youth Flag for ages 5-17 in U6, U10, U13 and U17 groups, on Sundays 1:00-2:30pm (playamericanfootball.ae)
- 70 AED a session, or 250 AED for 4 consecutive sessions, by bank transfer; paying by card online was 72.50 / 262.50 AED in September 2026, card fee included (playamericanfootball.ae)
- Non-contact: players pull flags, with no tackling or blocking (playamericanfootball.ae)
- Says it is approved by the General Authority of Sport, the UAE Rugby Federation and the Dubai Sports Council (playamericanfootball.ae)
- Led by Eric Hoerl, who spent 20 years playing and coaching in Europe and built the Bad Homburg Sentinels' youth programme (playamericanfootball.ae)
Why parents rate it
What parents say on Google
Play American Football is rated 5 on Google from 6 reviews, and all 6 reviews give 5 stars.
The facts
- Ages
- 5-17 (U6, U10, U13, U17 groups)
- Prices
- 70 AED per session or 250 AED for 4 consecutive sessions by bank transfer (card: 72.50 / 262.50 AED incl. card fee, September 2026)
- Schedule
- Youth Flag: Sundays 1:00-2:30pm; venue changes with the weather - confirm with the provider
- Trial
- Ask the provider
- Where
- Youth training: Dubai venue changes with the weather - confirm with PAF · GEMS World Academy, Al Barsha South, Dubai (a PAF venue; hosts the UAE Flag National Combine on 2 October 2026) · Office: M4-A1, Al Moosawi Building, Al Mankhool, Bur Dubai (not a training venue)
- How to book
- playamericanfootball.ae/youth-flag · +971 52 820 1954 · wa.me/971528201954 · [email protected]
Questions parents ask
Good to know
- Youth training moves venue with the weather; the Al Moosawi Building address in Al Mankhool, Bur Dubai is PAF's office, not a training ground (playamericanfootball.ae)
- GEMS World Academy in Al Barsha South is one of PAF's Dubai venues: it hosts the UAE Flag National Combine for ages 13+ on 2 October 2026, 7:00-9:00pm, 70 AED (playamericanfootball.ae)
- Card payments on the online shop include a card fee; bank transfer is cheaper (playamericanfootball.ae)
- Adult flag leagues and a separate full-contact tackle programme run alongside the youth sessions (playamericanfootball.ae)
Prices, ages and times change — confirm with the provider before you book.
Location
Skip mapGEMS World Academy, E44 - Al Barsha South First - Al Barsha South - Dubai
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