Cranleigh Abu Dhabi made home advantage count. The first BSME Games of the 2026–27 academic year came to their campus last weekend, with ten UAE schools competing over two days in football, volleyball and netball. When the points were added up, it was the hosts at the top of the overall standings.

Depth Over Dominance

Cranleigh's title was built on strength across the board rather than one runaway team. Their netballers won gold, both football squads finished second and their boys took bronze in the volleyball, making Cranleigh the only school to finish in the top three of all four competitions. Dani, from the boys' football team, was named Player of the Tournament.

Brighton College Abu Dhabi finished second overall and Kings' School Al Barsha third, with Yasmina British Academy just off the podium in fourth.

A Football Double for Kings'

Nobody was better on the football pitch than Kings' School Al Barsha, who won both the girls' and boys' tournaments, with Cranleigh runners-up each time. Rayana starred for the Kings' girls and shared the girls' Player of the Tournament award with Amy of Brighton College Abu Dhabi, whose team took bronze. In the boys' event, Yasmina British Academy completed the podium.

An eighth-place finish in the netball proved costly in the overall standings.

Volleyball Gold for Brighton College Abu Dhabi

Brighton College Abu Dhabi won the boys' volleyball, the result that did most to lift them to second overall. Yasmina British Academy took silver, with Itqan named Player of the Tournament, while Cranleigh claimed bronze.

Netball Gold for the Hosts

The netball gave Cranleigh their only title of the weekend, and it was enough to seal the overall crown. Brighton College Dubai took silver and Jebel Ali School bronze, the best results of the weekend for both schools. Frankie of Brighton College Dubai and Gabby of The British International School Abu Dhabi shared the Player of the Tournament award.

Behind the top four overall, The British International School Abu Dhabi finished fifth, followed by Brighton College Dubai, Deira International School, Jebel Ali School, Hartland International School and South View School.

Under BSME's updated safeguarding policy, galleries from the Games are being shared directly with the schools that took part rather than posted publicly: families should ask their school's event coordinator for access.

Photo: BSME

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