Repton Dubai today unveiled its spectacular new Sports Village, marking a milestone moment in the school’s history and reaffirming its commitment to sporting excellence, wellbeing and community.

Some of the world’s most admired athletes in global sport, including football legends Andrea Pirlo, Kaka, Clarence Seedorf, Marcelo, Miralem Pjanić, Eric Abidal and UFC Heavyweight Champion Ciryl Gane, spent the morning with Repton students, offering an unforgettable day of inspiration, insight and excitement.

The sports icons joined students for an exclusive Q&A, sharing stories from their remarkable careers and offering first-hand perspectives on teamwork, discipline, and resilience. Their visit marked the official opening of Repton’s Sports Village, a transformational upgrade designed to elevate every aspect of sport and physical education at Repton Dubai.

The new Sports Village reflects the school’s long-standing belief that sport is not only central to education, but essential in shaping character. Its expansive facilities include two full-sized 3G rugby and football pitches, certified by a World Rugby accredited testing lab, as well as a junior field, a 200-metre running track, a 100-metre sprint track, and a 1,600m² multi-sport astro-turf with a central cricket square. Students also have access to two additional 3G seven-a-side pitches, an eight-lane 60-metre sprint track and a four lane 120-metre sprint track with hurdles, alongside a dedicated shot put zone and high jump area.

Further facilities include four shaded multi-use courts marked for netball and tennis, a dedicated tennis court for advanced coaching and play, three padel courts including one shaded, two pickleball courts and four cricket practice nets. Indoors, the complex offers upgraded sports halls, refurbished indoor basketball courts, a refurbished 25-metre swimming pool, new changing rooms and enhanced spectator seating, creating a versatile environment where students can thrive across every discipline, season and skill level.

As part of the celebrations, four students from Repton UK travelled to Dubai to participate in the sports activities following the panel session, further strengthening the ties between the Repton family of schools internationally.

David Baldwin, CEO Cognita Middle East said: “Repton’s Sports Village is more than just a state-of-the-art facility, it’s a living embodiment of our vision for education that will inspire the next generation. Seeing world champions here today, engaging with our students, underscores exactly what this space is about: opportunity, ambition and excellence.”

Clarence Seedorf, a Dutch former professional football manager and player said: “It was a pleasure meeting the pupils at the Repton School Sports Village and learning about their journey and achievements.”

Michael Bloy, Principal, Repton Dubai said: “Sport has always been a defining part of Repton’s story. It’s in our DNA and it is what truly sets us apart. We believe that sport shapes character, and it is our responsibility to create the spaces where that character can grow. Our new Repton Sports Village is one of those spaces: built with ambition, designed for excellence, and a place where relationships matter and where sporting achievement is pursued every day”

Repton Dubai is recognised for its strong academic standards, and the new Sports Village adds another dimension to this reputation. The world-class facilities complement the school’s classroom environment by giving students the space to challenge themselves physically, develop healthy habits and build confidence through sport. Cognita’s investment in the Sports Village underscores its long-term commitment to strengthening Repton Dubai’s offering and providing exceptional spaces that nurture student growth in every dimension.