Rio Ferdinand and Eidur Gudjohnsen to Host Exclusive Kids' Football Academy at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach This October

Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach announces an exclusive summer Football Academy with former England, West Ham and Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand, along with a former Barcelona and Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, which is set to take place October 16-20 and 23-27, 2017.  

Open to footballing stars-in-the-making or youngsters starting from scratch, the Football Academy will take place on the grass playing field by the beach, where parents, friends and family can enjoy refreshments while watching the sporting action. Daily morning and afternoon sessions will offer two and a half hours of coaching covering all aspects of the game, including technical and tactical skills, decision making and small sided games.

Commenting on the upcoming event, Rio Ferdinand said: "It’s great to be joining Football Escapes again and we’re looking forward to running coaching courses for kids at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach this October. I love getting away to Dubai and the Resort looks incredible.”

In addition to the Football Academy itself, participants and their families will be able chat with Rio Ferdinand, Eidur Gudjohnsen and the UEFA licensed coaches from Football Escapes throughout the two weeks. Daily sessions from Monday to Friday will be open to 5-15 year olds, where the morning Academy will run from 9:00 to 10:30 am and the afternoon session from 5:00 to 6:00 pm.

Leonardo Baiocchi, General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach says, "As a football fan, I know the sport is loved by many worldwide, and we are very excited to give a group of children the experience of a lifetime at our beautiful Resort - we hope they will leave with memories that last forever. To welcome such legendary players as Rio Ferdinand and Eidur Gudjohnsen is an honour to all of us at Four Seasons Dubai and we are very proud to be partnering with Football Escapes to offer this unique experience to our guests.”

The Football Academy will complement a wide variety of leisure activities on offer at the luxury resort in Dubai, with a choice of watersports, tennis, a large active pool for families, and state-of-the-art fitness centre.  For families attending the event, the Resort boasts 10 restaurants, bars and lounges, a kids club and a range of light and fresh accommodations, with striking skyline or breathtaking beachfront views.  

Enrolment for the Football Academy (excluding accommodation) is priced at AED 3,000 per child, per week, with each participant receiving a complete kit from Football Escapes, which includes a shirt, shorts and socks, plus a medal and certificate signed by Rio Ferdinand and Eidur Gudjohnsen on completion of the course.  Children may attend the first, second or both weeks of the Football Academy, with places limited to 40 children per week. For reservations, contact blyte.marcelo@fourseasons.com or call +971 4 270 7777.