Three-time Olympic gold medallist and former world record holder Stephanie Rice has joined My Sports Academy (MSA) to lead its new swimming initiative, My Swim Club, in Dubai.
The program aims to promote water safety, build confidence through learn-to-swim education, and develop future champions, combining MSA’s 14 years of regional experience with Rice’s international expertise.
Rice, who recently relocated to Dubai, said she was motivated by the opportunity to bring world-class swim education to the city: “I grew up with some of the world’s best learn-to-swim programs in Australia. My hope is that children here benefit from the same high standards, whether they aim for Olympic success or simply want to enjoy Dubai’s beaches and pools safely.”
She will contribute to curriculum development and provide coaching support across MSA venues and several leading schools, including Dubai British School, Jumeirah Baccalaureate School, The English College, and Brighton College.
MSA Head Coach Dimitrije Didic welcomed the collaboration, calling Rice’s involvement a “game-changer” for the academy: “Her Olympic experience adds a new dimension to our squads and strengthens our pathway to develop swimmers at every level.”
Swimming continues to grow in popularity in the UAE, supported by government initiatives, new residential and leisure projects, and a focus on wellness. However, with the World Health Organization naming drowning as a leading cause of accidental death, experts say programs like MSA are essential for improving water safety standards.
MSA has already achieved success at the Dubai Open 2024/25, and with Rice now on board, the academy says it is raising the bar for swimming education in the Middle East.