A global scan of school sport academies
THE RISE OF SCHOOL SPORTS ACADEMIES WORLDWIDE AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO ENROLMENTS
The increased focus on sports academies appended to local and international schools is creating interest amongst school administrators worldwide. The reasons for this and the benefits which can result are explored in this article by Nick Mooney.
Now that Tokyo 2020 has well and truly inspired the globe in a truly difficult period, its timely to explore the rise in sports academies within the school system on a global basis.
Why do they exist and what are the key drivers? Are they a reflection of a desire for increased enrolments, a lever for increased pride and connection to school (including among alumni), a basis for improved academic performance or a combination of all of the above?
The answer seems to be overwhelmingly to increase enrolments. Whilst there are undoubtedly other key benefits, schools need enrolments to survive and, in the cases, below…to thrive.
What is a school sports academy?
Typically, it’s an offering of one or more sports that generally cater for local needs and interests or international outreach.
In Edinburgh it’s just Golf, in Singapore its Muay Thai and a variety of other sports. For some schools its more general with an “Athlete Excellence Program” or similar. In Switzerland its Skiing, Snowboarding and Biathlon.
Students in these programs generally get a number of periods per week to follow their sporting program and pathway during school hours, plus after school trainings and ancillary sessions.
Generally, families will pay an additional annual fee to help support the additional running costs of such a program which may include coaches, facility hire, transport etc.
So, who are these schools and what results have they achieved? Let’s take a global scan.
Western Heights College, Geelong, Australia
Profile - Western Heights College is a co-educational Year 7-12, government secondary college located in Geelong, Victoria.
Sports - In their almost 2-year journey, the foundation sport is Basketball and in 2021 the school introduced Australian Football. In 2022, it will introduce Netball.
Enrolment pre sports academy: 345 (2019)
Current Enrolment: 510 with 150 students within the sports academy: 2022 enrolment is predicted to be 200.
Background – In July 2017, with a new Principal, the school was facing some immediate challenges with declining enrolment and poor community perception of the college. Over the past 4 years the college has focused on developing new values, who they are and what do they stand for, rebranding and the introduction of a new uniform that the students feel proud to wear and comfortable in. The Specialist Sports Program (SSP) program has elevated the school’s enrolment in 18 months and provided an incredible positive culture across the whole college. Most importantly, students, staff, parents and carers are growing in confidence to proudly say they are a part of the college community at Western Heights College and the hesitation in sharing that in the community is fading away. The SSP program introduction has gone a long way towards building school pride.
Results:
- Rapid growth of the SSP (35 to 150 in 12-18 months) in its inaugural year with enrolments growing at a rapid rate during a pandemic and at home learning periods!
- Existing students are presenting with improved national academic results, stronger engagement in all subjects across the school, improved physical and mental health and increased confidence. They are learning to be great people first and athletes second!
- The program is values based and enables students to explore as student athletes, their athletic potential. This, combined with academics enables them to embark on a range of pathways including VCE, vocational studies and USA and International College pathways
- Numerous state and national representation honours across the academy sports
“The SSP program introduction in our college has supported the development of not only improved outcomes for our students within the program but most importantly provided a significant boost to the development of whole school pride, student numbers and positive connection with our community.”
Fiona Taylor, Principal, Western Height College
Loretto School, Musselburgh, Scotland
Profile - Co-educational independent boarding and day school, just outside of Edinburgh, adjacent to the historic Musselburgh Golf Course.
Sports - Golf
Enrolment year one: 6, Current Enrolment: capped at 75
Background – Industry leading school golf academy established in 2002. Prior to this student numbers were low.
“Alumni responded positively including generous financial support to begin a programme of developing on site short game facilities. Marketing the school was helped enormously by having a unique focus.
Recruitment of pupils was enhanced and within one year 10% of new enrolments were golf related. This included young golfers from across the UK and internationally.”
Ian McLean, former Director of Development
Results:
- Deliver golf to more than 200 pupils per week as well as running golf camps
- Enhancement of the school’s enrolment profile
- Support for the school’s previously ailing boarding program given that many of the golfing students are international
- A vehicle for philanthropic support from Loretto alumni who were keen to support golfing scholarships.
Hochalpines Institut Ftan (HIF), Swiss International School and Sports Academy, Switzerland
Profile – International Boarding School. Alpine setting in south-eastern Switzerland. The region borders on Italy and Austria.
Sports – cross-country skiing, biathlon, alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, freestyle snowboarding and ice hockey.
Background – Starting the academy in 1994, Sport is considered an essential element in the school’s education. It promotes health, well-being, resilience, self-discipline and team spirit. What is more, the school considers sport is a source of joy, excitement and inspiration. With its team of expert coaches and high-profile training facilities, it enables young talents and students interested in sports to combine competitive or leisure sports with any academic programme of their choice.
Sports academy enrolment numbers –
1994 - 19 students, 2021 - 40 students
Results:
- Numerous Winter Olympians, 2 Olympic gold medallists (cross-country, alpine snowboard)
- Enhancement of the school’s enrolment profile
Maribyrnong Sports Academy, Melbourne, Australia
Profile – Public co-educational day school, Inner West of Melbourne.
Sports – AFL, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball Cricket, Football, Golf, Hockey, Judo, Netball, Taekwondo, Tennis, Volleyball
Enrolment pre sports academy: 250 (2005)
Current Enrolment: 1300 with 575 within the sports academy
Background – Close to being closed as a school in the late 90’s, the idea of a sports academy to revive the school was given Victorian state and Australian federal government support and subsequent funding. The sports academy commenced in 2006.
Results:
- Five alumni represented Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics
- A thriving sports academy with 575 students and a large oversubscription
- Strong academic success above the state average.
American School of Bangkok (Green Valley Campus), Bangkok, Thailand
Profile – International Boarding School.
Sports – Golf
Background – Starting in 2015, The international preparatory Golf Academy has attracted international students from Cambodia, China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Sports academy enrolment numbers: 2015 - 5, 2021 - 49. In the last 4 years there has been significant student growth from 13 to 49 students
Results:
- Number 1 Junior Golf Academy in Thailand
- The school prides itself on helping students achieve their dream of playing college golf in USA. Over 95% acceptance rate
- Numerous students each year have gained scholarships to the NCAA
Does missing academic classes effect academic performance?
Schools with sports academies attached generally have higher academic averages than their counterparts without strong sporting programs. Why? Many reasons have been suggested, including the role of sport in helping students to time manage, prioritise and work as part of a team.
As for high level evidence, you need not go past the Australian Lifestyles of Our Kids (LOOK) longitudinal study which follows a cohort of 850 children beginning in 2004 and still going. The project was initially set up through the Commonwealth Education Trust, London, UK, by Professor Richard (Dick) Telford AM, inaugural Sports Scientist at the Australian Institute of Sport and now at the University of Canberra, Australia. A randomized controlled trial within the project investigated the effects of quality Physical Education and Physical Activity on academic performance amongst other things.
Students provided with quality physical education, compared with children who weren’t, showed a significantly higher improvement in national numeracy and literacy (NAPLAN) tests between grades 3 and 5. Moreover, and quite independently of the physical education trial, the higher the average fitness level of children in a particular school, the higher the average academic achievement (NAPLAN national assessments) of that school.
Further information on the LOOK study and citations of publications go to https://www.look.org.au/
What does the future hold and do Sports Academies have a positive effect on enrolments?
With increasing enrolment competition amongst schools globally, the thirst for specialist sports academies will only grow. Within Melbourne, Australia there are now over thirty secondary schools with specialist sport academies, with the overwhelming majority seeing strong growth in numbers.
Internationally this has been a well-known strategy by some schools, however it remains largely untapped potential.
Combining strong academic performance, showing increased school pride from both current and former students and with enhanced enrolment numbers, sports academies are here to stay.
Play On.
Nick Mooney is a Melbourne based specialist school sport consultant with significant experience locally and internationally in schools, including at Gordonstoun in Scotland. He spent 11 years as strategic manager for School Sport Victoria and has also worked in professional sport. Nick specialises in setting up and reviewing school sport programs.