Manchester Thunder coach 'super excited' to develop UAE netball at new Abu Dhabi academy

At 15, Karen Greig was playing for England. She joined Manchester Thunder at 21 and achieved the rare feat of winning the Netball Super League as a player, assistant coach and head coach for the franchise.

The former England international is “super excited” about her latest project in setting up the Manchester Thunder Academy in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with UAE Netball and Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for us as a franchise to be a part of the movement in really encouraging girls playing sports,” Greig told The National during the Thunder’s first training session at the NYUAD indoor courts on Monday.

“I think it’s such a crucial time to be in Abu Dhabi with our girls taking part in our masterclasses this week,” said Greig, the former England international who was also England Under-21 coach and assistant for the senior team.

On the opening day, 60 girls registered for the first session of the week-long masterclasses at the NYUAD.

“We've got two of our coaches who have been part of the Manchester pathway. They have done a fantastic job in our academy and they were really good candidates to come out here.”

Emily Cowell and Joanne Dempsey are the two resident coaches of the academy in Abu Dhabi, while Greig will travel back and forth, when time permits, as the netball academy takes shape.

The academy is for young children and women from the ages of eight to 19, with the training sessions scheduled from Monday to Friday.

“It’s making sure we are really proactive in developing the talent that’s out here and making sure the levels are at the right pitch, and making sure the girls are getting developed across all of the skills you need to play netball,” Greig said.

“For them to know the basics in