UAE student Athletes of the Week

This week's talented showcase of students include two running brothers who will both be taking part in the multi-race event on Yas Marina Circuit, a motorsport star impresses in his first test in single-seater racing and Al Bateen School's hat-trick hero in rugby.

2177-sp25oc-piers.jpg

Piers Pakenham-Walsh

The 2009/10 Dubai Autodrome Junior Rotax Max Karting champion made an impressive start to the season, winning the opening race with one of his best drives. The 14-year-old Dubai English Speaking College pupil was disqualified in the second race after a crash, and he will be looking to make a strong comeback in the next round in January.

2178-SP25OCT-SCHOOLS_OTHERS.jpg

Mathew and James Chisnall

These Abu Dhabi brothers, who attend Brighton College, will take part in the multi-race event on Yas Marina Circuit on November 26. Matthew, 11, is hoping for an exemption to take part in the 3km race, which is normally for runners over 12. James, who turned nine on Sunday, is taking part in his first timed run, the 1km, as well on the grand prix circuit.

2179-sp25oc-Shahaan.jpg

Shahaan Engineer

The JESS Arabian Ranches Year 11 pupil has been making rapid progress in motorsports. Moving to single-seaters after a successful karting career, the 15-year-old Indian impressed in his Fortec test as he prepares for Formula Renault. "Overall Shahaan did very well and showed undoubted talent," said Steve Lynch, the Fortec team manager.

2180-sp25oc-Noah.jpg

Noah Sutherland

This 11 year old scored four tries for Abu Dhabi's new Al Bateen School in their first rugby tournament. The Under 12 team, who had only trained three times together, beat the British International School - with Noah scoring a  hat-trick - Raha School and Cambridge School at the tournament hosted by British School Al Khubairat.

UAE school sports Athlete of the Week:

2181-BLOGsp25oc-jonesMAIN.jpg

Matt Jones, who moved to Dubai from Canada in 2004, was voted the best goalie of the Emirates Hockey League. © Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

Other news from school sports in the Emirates

Professional support boosts golfer Dhruv Nair -

A diet of rugby helped Nasser Al Junaibi academically -

Last week's student athlete of the week -

How to nominate a student Athlete of the Week:

Every Tuesday

The National

focuses on school sports in the UAE. Each week we will pick student athletes who deserve some recognition for their efforts. To nominate a student please send us an e-mail detailing their accomplishments to the following addresses:

For Abu Dhabi  e-mail Neil Cameron at

For Dubai e-mail Ahmed Rizvi at

Please visit

The National's

school sports topic page at

for our extensive coverage of school sport in the UAE.