It’s Jasper’s IFA football end of season party and after an incredible win for both the U12’s and U13’s Youth Premier League teams we’re off on a Big Bus Dubai tour to celebrate.
Jasper was lucky enough to come into the season as goalkeeper halfway along when the team was already doing pretty well. Even as a late recruit, he was encouraged and treated as a valued member from the get go by his team, his coaches and the other parents. What a lovely welcome to a close knit group.
There were some disappointments along the way and a few games where Jasper returned home giving himself a hard time about goals given away. I’m sure some of his other team members had similar disappointments, although the triumphs most certainly outweighed the season, especially when it came to receiving their trophy after the last game of the tournament out at the Dubai Rugby 7’s on March 19.
Big Bus Tour
Now, back to today’s celebrations and after gathering at Emirates International School, Meadows, the home training ground for the IFA football league, the teams gather for photos on the pitch.
Once this is completed, we board the Big Bus Dubai for a tour of Dubai’s sights, along with much noisy celebration from the U13’s at the front of the bus and the U12’s at the back. The parents and coaches make conversation in between the horns, hoots and honks, a raucous fit for any bunch of boys as they enjoy the attention of parents and passers by.
Our tour takes us through the Meadows and out along Sheikh Zayed Road. The Champion sign is moved around for maximum exposure and more horns and noise is raised. Luckily the bus doesn’t have any roof to speak of or it would also be raised by now!
We pass the sights of Dubai including the Burj Khalifa and the Museum of the Future. Then we turn back down Sheikh Zayed Road and head out to The Palm.
Wavehouse
Once at the Atlantis, we heard the teams into the Wavehouse. They have balloons and tables waiting for the IFA teams and parents, coaches and fans.
From here we don’t see much more of the kids. They head off to play arcade games and hang out with their teammates, returning to the tables briefly to eat. It doesn’t take them long to polish off their meals before they’re off again.
Luckily the rest of us are now able to sit back with a beverage, order our own meals and relax. After all, many of us have put in almost as many hours as the kids this season. Taxiing to and fro, finding missing socks and gloves, watching or listening to blow by blow game recaps and reviewing relevant WhatsApp messages all take their toll over the course of the weeks.
It’s lovely to meet some more of the parents, relive some fun from the season and celebrate the boy’s efforts. It’s also a great occasion to celebrate such a great outcome and kick back and relax for an afternoon.
On the way back on the Big Bus Dubai we pass Atlantis The Royal and I reflect on how incredible this city is. Not only as a place to visit and enjoy but as a place to live.
Good To Know
A big thanks to St. John Cooper from Big Bus Dubai for organising the bus tour and to Darren from IFA for sponsoring the fun at the Wavehouse, Atlantis. Coach Frank also deserves a special mention. His endless dedication, patience and enthusiasm for the U12’s team and to the other kids (& parents!) of IFA is admirable.
Would I Return?
Yes.
