Abu Dhabi and Dubai Sell Out as 120 PE Leaders Gather at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi and Dubai College
The landscape of Middle East school sport took a major step forward this week as the PADSIS UAE Conferences hit capacity across two packed Emirate roadshows, bringing together 120 Directors of Sport, Heads of PE, and aspiring sports leaders across Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Organized by the Professional Association of Directors of Sport in Independent Schools (PADSIS) in strategic partnership with the Dubai Affiliated School Sports Association (DASSA) and ADISSA, the twin events served as a vital forum for physical education leaders navigating the rapid evolution of youth sport in the region.
Two Sold-Out Venues, One Unified Vision
The roadshow kicked off to a full house of 30 sports leaders at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, setting the tone for regional collaboration in the capital. The momentum reached a crescendo at Dubai College, where a sellout crowd of 90 Heads and Directors of PE filled the auditorium for a full day of intensive professional development and networking ahead of the Term 1 launch.
Across both venues, the focus centered on shifting priorities within Gulf education—moving beyond matchday logistics toward building sustainable sporting cultures, inspiring staff management, and balancing high-performance pathways with broad-based student participation.
Key Insights & Expert Speakers
Delegates engaged in specialized seminars led by international experts, focusing on the core competencies required of modern athletic directors:
- Neil Rollings (PADSIS Director): Addressed the shifting landscape of contemporary school sport, guiding leaders on implementing structural change, best-practice rugby safety, and quality control across physical education departments.
- Dr. Cath Bishop (Triple Olympian & Diplomat): Delivered key insights on “The Long Win,” exploring how sports leaders can build meaningful connections and long-term, high-performing cultures within their schools.
- Kate Thornton-Bousfield (CEO, Association for Physical Education): Outlined modern best practices in curriculum development and key strategies for aligning physical education with broader school values.
- James Kershaw-Naylor (SOCS): Provided hands-on training for optimizing sports management technology, fixture planning, and parent communications across regional leagues.
Strengthening the Regional Leadership Network
While DASSA and ADISSA provide the weekly competitive platforms for schools across the UAE, events like the PADSIS Conference ensure that the educators behind those programs receive world-class professional support.
“School sport in the Middle East is growing at an unprecedented rate, and the responsibilities placed on Directors of Sport have expanded far beyond the pitch,” noted DASSA executive leadership. “Partnering with PADSIS ensures our Heads of PE are equipped with the leadership tools, network, and vision required to deliver exceptional sporting experiences for thousands of student-athletes.”
With two sellout capacity legs locked in across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the region’s sports leaders head into the 2026/27 academic year connected, inspired, and aligned on the future of school sport.