World-class Mindset Coaching Arrives at BIS Abu Dhabi Through the NAE × IMG

Last week, The British International School Abu Dhabi welcomed specialists from IMG Academy for two days of dynamic leadership and mental performance workshops, a key milestone in Nord Anglia Education’s global collaboration with the world-renowned sports institution. Through this partnership, students across NAE schools gain access to elite coaching, wellbeing programmes, and transformative leadership development aimed at building confidence, resilience, and high-performance habits.

What the NAE × IMG Collaboration Brings to Our Students 

Nord Anglia’s partnership with IMG Academy opens the door to an exceptional range of opportunities. Students benefit from expert coaching in sport, performance, and mindset, along with programmes focused on confidence, focus, resilience, communication, and overall wellbeing. Families also receive access to IMG Academy+ Essentials, an online platform offering courses on nutrition, mental resilience, personal leadership, and healthy habits. 

Students will additionally have opportunities to train at IMG’s state-of-the-art campus in Florida, home to some of the world’s top developing athletes. This collaboration not only enhances the student experience but also strengthens staff professional development, ensuring BIS Abu Dhabi continues to deliver provision aligned with global best practice.

Highlights from IMG Academy’s Visit to BIS Abu Dhabi 

Across 5th to 6th February, IMG Academy coaches Nonalee Davis and Sloan Johnson led a series of workshops for students, staff, and parents. 

Parent Session

Raising Resilient Kids offered practical strategies to support children’s wellbeing, communication, and confidence at home and in school. 

Student Workshops 

IMG coaches delivered sessions to BSME U15 & U19 athletes, the Secondary Swim Team, selected Year 9 students, and students in Year 10 Drama and Year 11–12 Theatre. Workshops such as Perform Under Pressure, Own Your Commitment, Communicate with Courage, and Confidence Is a Choice equipped students with mindset tools they can apply across academics, sport, and the arts. 

Staff CPD

Teachers engaged in training focused on fostering self-belief and intrinsic motivation, strengthening our whole school wellbeing approach.

A Message from the Director of Sport 

Ryan Baker, Director of Sport, shared: 

“This visit marks the beginning of an exciting partnership, with many opportunities planned for our students to further access IMG programmes, workshops, and support in the coming months.” 

What’s Next for BIS Abu Dhabi Families 

Building on the success of this visit, BIS Abu Dhabi families will soon have access to three upcoming IMG opportunities: 

1. Two BIS Abu Dhabi Organised Trips: 

Participation in the Nord Anglia Challenge events taking place in Florida, USA, from 31st May – 6th June and 18th – 24th  October 2026, combining sport, wellbeing, leadership, and cultural learning. 

2. Student Only US Experience: 

A weeklong high-performance camp at IMG Academy’s state-of-the-art Florida campus, where students train in sports such as basketball, football (soccer), and volleyball under worldclass IMG coaching, with added off campus experiences to enrich their learning.

3. Online Workshops for Families: 

Practical sessions on confidence, mindset, communication, and resilience. 

More details and registration information will follow soon. 

Be Part of the Journey 

To express interest in upcoming camps or workshops, please contact Ryan Baker at ryan.baker@bisad.ae. 

At BIS Abu Dhabi, we believe that confidence, resilience, and wellbeing create the foundation for exceptional outcomes, and our collaboration with IMG Academy brings worldclass expertise directly to our students.