Emily Cowell Netball Coaching

That’s a wrap. 💙💛

Today officially marks my last day as Head Coach at Canes.

It’s hard to put three years into words, but what a three years it’s been.

Over the last 3 years, we’ve grown from a club just dipping our toes into leagues, into a club competing against some of the best teams in Dubai, expanded our coaching programme, developed an incredible coaching team and, most importantly, helped so many players fall in love with netball.

Thank you to every player, parent, coach, team manager and volunteer.

Thank you for trusting me, supporting my ideas (even the slightly crazy ones 😅), giving up your evenings and weekends, and helping create something we’re all proud of. None of it happens because of one person. It takes a whole team, and I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with such brilliant people.

I’ll leave with so many memories, friendships and lessons that I’ll take with me into whatever comes next.

As for what’s next… 👀

You’ll find out very soon.

For now, thank you, Canes. It’s been a privilege. 💙💛

Tournament season done and dusted!

It’s always a pleasure organising tournaments and seeing players of all ages and abilities access this type of competition. Building on lessons from previous events, we introduced a development tournament this time, aiming to give more players the chance of success and to experience that finals feeling. This was met with so much positivity from clubs and coaches!

Taking over the schedule less than 72 hours before the tournament began certainly tested my patience, resilience, and our tournament system, but we got there, and every team and club had an absolute blast.

The highlight of the weekend was a player walking past my table with her coach saying, “This tournament is so much fun, I’m having the best time.”

A proud club moment to finish - 21 teams competing, with every team performing incredibly in their respective categories.

Time to reflect, learn, build and plan ready for our next one in October!

I asked my Grade 5’s (year 6’s) at NLCS ‘What makes a good team player?’ and this is what they came up with 🤩

🌀 Canes Tournament October 2025 🌀

What a weekend ✨️

Hours of planning, sleepless nights, and a whole lot of organising, but it was so worth it. Over 100 teams from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, RAK & even the UK came together for two full-on days of netball at The Sevens. The place was absolutely buzzing with players of all ages and abilities playing the game we love 💙

The feedback from clubs has been amazing, with a touring school saying it was the best overseas tournament they've ever attended as a school! Honestly, it makes all the effort worth it.

Proud of our Canes team for all their hard work over the weekend 💚

Bring on our Jan tournament - but first, sleep 😴💙💛🌀

Dubai Hurricanes Netball Coaching Team 2025/26 🌀💙💛

Excited to be working with such an incredible team this season, a wealth of knowledge, passion and experience. Can't wait to see our squads grow and develop both on and off the court this year 🤩

✨ 10 months of rehab done & dusted & we're finally finally back on court, moving freely & pain-free 🥳
Forever grateful to Ciara at RU Active for getting me through it all 🫶🏻

Such a fab night of netball with the Canes girls 🏐🌀 Can’t wait for the league to kick off & to keep building our combos week by week 🙌

Here’s to upping the ante in the gym & becoming fitter, faster, stronger 💪🔥

Dubai Hurricanes Coach of the Season 🏆

Over the past season, we’ve watched her grow immensely in confidence, not just in how she delivers technical detail, but in how she communicates tactical understanding with clarity and purpose. Her ability to translate learning into action has been inspiring; not just learning for herself, but learning from those around her and applying it in her sessions and one-on-one conversations with players.

The progress in her squads has been nothing short of remarkable. She’s helped shape not just better athletes, but more confident, aware players, and that’s a powerful legacy to leave.

We are so proud of the coach she’s become. Her professionalism, passion, and commitment have left a lasting mark on our club.

And while it breaks our hearts to say it - she’s heading off at the end of the season, leaving Dubai and leaving us with some very big shoes to fill. But whichever netball club she goes next, they’ll be lucky to have her.

Congratulations, Scarlett, and thank you for everything 🫶🏻