MSA teams up with Olympic champion to boost UAE swimming

Australian Olympic Champion and World Record holder Stephanie Rice/Image: Supplied

My Sports Academy (MSA), one of the UAE’s leading swimming organisations, has announced a landmark partnership with Australian Olympic Champion and World Record holder Stephanie Rice, who now resides in Dubai. Rice will spearhead My Swim Club, the region’s most comprehensive swimming programme, designed to save lives through water safety, build confidence through learn-to-swim education, and nurture future champions through performance excellence at every age.

The collaboration brings together MSA’s 14 years of regional expertise with Rice’s world-class performance insights, delivering programmes that aim to transform swimming education across the UAE.

“From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be an Olympic swimmer, and I will always be grateful to have grown up in a country with some of the world’s highest standards of learn-to-swim programmes. So I’m thrilled to be supporting MSA’s programme here in Dubai, the place I now call home, as the quality of their programme reflects the same teaching standards I was fortunate to grow up with. My hope is that your children benefit from the same high-quality swim education, whether they dream of becoming Olympic champions or simply want to enjoy the city’s wonderful beaches and pools with peace of mind,” said Stephanie Rice.

Rice will play an active role in curriculum development and coach support across MSA venues and partner schools, including Dubai British School (Barsha & Mira), Jumeirah Baccalaureate School (Al Wasl), The English College (Umm Suqeim & Mira), and Brighton College (Al Barsha South).

Read: Inside UAE’s wellness, sports communities: What is it like to live there?

MSA’s programmes are tailored to every stage of a swimmer’s journey, ensuring participants of all ages and abilities acquire essential water-safety skills while offering clear pathways to competitive excellence.

“Having three-time Olympic champion Stephanie Rice involved, brings elite level experience and a fresh perspective to our squads. As Head Coach at MSC, I’m extremely excited to collaborate with her this season. Our pathway is designed to develop both performance and character, while nurturing a lifelong love for the sport at every level,” said Dimitrije Didic, Head Coach, MSA.

Swimming continues to gain momentum in the UAE, supported by initiatives such as 24/7 night-swimming beaches, water parks, luxury residential developments, and a strong government push to promote wellness and leisure. However, according to the World Health Organization, drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death worldwide—a challenge also reflected in the UAE.

By combining infrastructure investment, community engagement, and international sporting expertise, the UAE is laying the foundation for a vibrant swimming culture. MSA, which already achieved notable victories such as winning the Dubai Open 2024/25, now aims to set a new gold standard for swimming education in the Middle East under Rice’s leadership.

With this partnership, MSA reinforces its mission to ensure every child in the UAE not only learns to swim but does so with confidence, skill, and ease.