Dubai Sports City witnessed a significant development in educational athletics as Sir Alastair Cook, the legendary former England cricket captain, formally endorsed Queen Elizabeth’s School’s international expansion initiative. The knighted batsman, honored by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019, attended a special event on Thursday marking the institution’s entry into the Dubai market.
The prestigious British K-12 institution is establishing a presence in Dubai to meet growing demand for academic excellence and exceptional student outcomes. Cook, serving as Official Education Ambassador for GEDU, expressed enthusiasm about bringing the school’s distinguished heritage to the Middle East. “Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, has a remarkable heritage of excellence, ambition, and character,” Cook stated. “To see that legacy now being brought to Dubai is incredibly exciting.”
Beyond his ambassadorial role, Cook will actively advise the school’s elite sports programmes, contributing to the development of high-performance pathways and enhancing the integration of athletics within the comprehensive educational experience. His involvement signals a commitment to fostering well-rounded development among students.
Caroline Pendleton Nash, CEO of Queen Elizabeth’s Global Schools, emphasized the significance of Cook’s association with the institution. “Having Sir Alastair represent us as an Education Ambassador is a tremendous privilege,” she noted. “His career reflects the exacting values that we seek to instil in every Elizabethan. He exemplifies the confident, able and responsible young people we aim to develop.”
The initiative represents a growing trend of international educational expansion combining academic rigor with elite athletic development, with Cook’s involvement providing immediate credibility to the sports programme.