Sports Academy at Ivybridge Community College

The College has a coordinated approach and clear new structures towards the development of sport.  Our vision is to give every child at Ivybridge Community College the opportunity to pursue their interest in sport, physical activity, and physical education.  We will do this by providing access to excellent teaching and coaching, support, and sports provision at all levels of ability.

Students can pursue their interest in sport by accessing opportunities in the following areas:

1. Physical Education Curriculum

2. Sports Academy

3. Elite Talent Programmes

4. Sport Enrichment

5. Sport Leadership and Qualifications

6. Community Sports

 

What is a Sports Academy?

Our vision is to give every child, from primary to Sixth Form and from participation to elite level, the opportunity to develop their athletic ability, improve the level of skill in their chosen sport(s) and reach their performance potential.  We will do this by providing access to excellent teaching and coaching, support, and specialist sports provision alongside their academic commitments.

 

Sport Academy Structure

The Sports Academy comprises five different sports:

1. Football Academy

2. Gymnastics Academy

3. Netball Academy

4. Rugby Academy

5. Tennis Academy (further information will be sent at a later date)

 

We welcome all Year 7 students to attend any of the Sports Academy Elite Squads Assessment Dates stated below.  Please attend the below sessions if you would like to be in the Sports Academies.  There are no costs to these enrichment activities. 

 

Sports Academy	Date	Time	Venue to meet
Football Girls and Boys	Tuesday, 14 September Wednesday, 15 September Thursday, 16 September	3.15 – 4.30pm	AW1 Please change in the Sports Hall changing rooms
Gymnastics Girls and Boys	Tuesday, 14 September Thursday, 16 September Tuesday, 21 September Thursday, 23 September	3.30 – 5.00pm	Gymnasium Please change in the Gym changing rooms
Netball Girls only	Tuesday, 14 September Tuesday, 21 September Tuesday, 28 September Tuesday, 5 October	3.15 – 4.30pm	Sports Hall Please change in the Sports Hall changing rooms
Rugby   Boys only	Wednesday, 15 September Wednesday, 22 September	3.15 – 4.30pm	Top Field Please change in the Sports Hall changing rooms
Rugby   Girls only	Tuesday, 14 September Tuesday, 21 September	3.15 – 4.30pm	Top Field Please change in the Sports Hall changing rooms

 

 Each Academy comprises of two squads: the Development Squad and the Elite Squad

 

1. Development Squad  

The Development Squads are open to all students at Ivybridge Community College.  The primary purpose of the Development Squad is participation, with the related goals of improved physical fitness, fun, and social involvement.  Students participating in the Development Squads will have the opportunity to be selected for the Elite Squads.

 

All Academy Development Squad students will:

• Be part of the Sports Academy and members of the Development Squad.

• Develop their skill level and game play or performance with specialist coaches.

• Train after College as part of the Development Squad, in preparation for performances, games, competitions, tournaments, cups and leagues.

• Have the opportunity to be selected for the Elite Squads at any point of the year (students are selected and invited by letter throughout the year).

 

2. Elite Squad

Each individual Academy includes students who regularly take part (and follow a developmental path) in that particular sport at the College.  We have changed the names of our leading sports groups from ‘Academy’ to ‘Elite Squads’.  Our highest-level athletes in each Sport Academy will now, therefore, be in the Elite Football Squad, Elite Gymnastics Squad, Elite Netball Squad and Elite Rugby Squad.

 

All Academy Elite Squad students will:

• Be extracted from PE lessons to receive a bespoke sports training programme.

• Continue to take part in the PE curriculum, in addition to the specific sport programme, and experience up to eight sports over the period of a year.

• Develop their skill level and game play or performance with specialist coaches.

• Receive specialised Strength and Conditioning sessions from Mr Taylor.

• Receive College support with regards to mentoring.

• Train after College as part of the Elite Squad, in preparation for performance games, competitions, tournaments, cups or leagues.

 

Please can all students wear PE kit to the above sessions.  Please change in the PE changing rooms.  PE staff will be available to show all students to the right changing room.  Simply turn up, students must arrange their own travel home.  Please also bring plenty of drinks!

On completion of the assessment dates, all students will receive a letter with regards to the Sports Academy. 

We look forward to seeing all our students participating in these wonderful opportunities. 

Please note the Enrichment Programme will shortly be emailed to all parents.  We aim to start all enrichment activities on Monday, 13 September with further enrichment activities to be released on Friday, 24 September.

Yours sincerely 

Helen Reddy 

Director of Enrichment and Sports Academy