Sports Academies

Selected full time students have the opportunity to join one of the college’s sport academies.  Membership of an academy enables students to follow their chosen programme of study whilst developing their sporting skills.

Soccer Academy / Mens and Ladies
Students will benefit from the following:

• A minimum of six hours coaching/fitness per week supervised by UEFA qualified coaches.
• Use of excellent facilities at Swansea University Sports Village, Elba Sports Complex, Play Football Centre and Gower College Swansea Sports Centre.
• Selected players can compete for Gower College Swansea in the ECFA Premier and ECFA regional leagues. Recent successes include ECFA regional Champions 2010-11 and 3^rd place at the British Colleges National Championships 2011.
• Additional competitive fixtures are provided in the Welsh Schools Cup, British Colleges Cup and ECFA cup.
• Academy players regularly represent Welsh Colleges and Welsh schools in international fixtures.
• As part of the Academy programme players will also receive individual advice on training, nutrition and psychology.
• All Academy players will have the opportunity to complete a football leader’s award with the FAW.
• Contact richard.south@gowercollegeswansea.ac.uk

Netball Academy
Students will benefit from the following:

• A minimum of six hours coaching/fitness per week supervised by fully qualified WNA coaches.
• Use of excellent facilities at Gower College Swansea Sports Centre, including sports hall and fully equipped gym.
• Regular elite level competition in British Colleges league and cup competitions. The team will also compete in the presidents cup and Welsh Colleges Regional competitions.
• Regular overseas tours including recent tours to the Caribbean.
• Opportunities to represent Welsh Colleges and British Colleges at an international level.
• All students will have the opportunity to complete netball coaching awards.
• Contact sarah.lewis@gowercollegeswansea.ac.uk

Rugby Academy
The Gower College Rugby Academy runs in partnership with the Ospreys providing elite level competition and training for selected players. Students will benefit from the following:

• A minimum of six hours coaching/fitness per week supervised by WRU qualified coaches and Ospreys coaching staff
• Use of excellent facilities at Swansea University Sports Village including indoor athletics centre and strength and conditioning facilities.
• The Academy competes in the WRU colleges league, British Colleges regional league, BCS Cup, Rosslyn Park 7s and the Urdd 7s. In addition to this there is regular participation in elite level invitational tournaments.
• Regular overseas tours
• Students regularly represent Wales at age group level and in some cases senior level. Former students include Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues, Wales and British Lions), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys and Wales) and Richie Rees (Cardiff Blues and Wales)
• All students will have the opportunity to complete coaching awards and gain work experience coaching at local schools
• Contact daniel.cluroe@gowercollegeswansea.ac.uk

Cricket Academy
Students will benefit from the following:

• The opportunity to attend practical cricket coaching sessions, together with sport science support. All coaching sessions will be staffed by ECB qualified staff, using excellent indoor and outdoor facilities. Sessions are arranged during the college day.
• Undertaking Level 1 and Level 2 ECB coaching qualifications and an umpiring course.
• Representing the college team in a series of prestigious matches, to be played in the summer term.
• Possibility of an overseas tour.
• Higher Education progression, with the possibility of obtaining cricket scholarships.
• The Cricket Development Scheme has the backing of the CBW and has been introduced to further develop the young 16+ cricketer.
• Applicants should be playing to a good standard. Those accepted will remain members of their local clubs.
• Contact mike.obrien@gowercollegeswansea.ac.uk

Hockey Academy
Students will benefit from the following:

• Coaching/fitness sessions provided throughout the week. All coaching sessions will be instructed by WHU qualified coaches.
• Usage of the excellent facilities at Swansea Metropolitan University and Elba Sports Centre - both water and sand based
• Astro pitches to extend the range of your basic hockey skills.
• Wednesday afternoons are dedicated for match play. This is where you will be selected to represent the Academy in a number of organised competitions (Welsh Colleges & Public Schools League, Welsh Colleges Women’s Tournament, Afan, Nedd & Tawe Schoolgirls Hockey U18 Cup, British Cup U19, British Colleges League). Matches against other academies across Wales and England will also feature on a home and away basis.
• Players are encouraged to participate in club hockey on weekends to maximise their potential (Swansea Ladies, Gowerton Ladies).
• Full use of college’s Fitness Suite.

All members of the Academy may undertake:

• The WHU Leaders Coaching Award - the more competent coach will be encouraged to progress to the Youth Award (18 and over).
• The Umpires’ Leaders Award - same as above.
• Once they have successfully gained their coaching qualification, this will give students the opportunity to get involved in coaching primary school children and also the potential to gain employment, working for the local sport development department within the City and County of Swansea.
• Contact sian.fowler@gowercollegeswansea.ac.uk

In addition to the main academy, sports students can also receive top level competition and training in the following sports at Gower College Swansea:

Basketball
Elite Level Competition in BCS leagues and coaching provided in partnership with Swansea Storm Basketball Club

Surfing
Regular coaching provided by ASI accredited coaches on local beaches throughout the year. Competitions in BCS and independent events.

Welsh Colleges Sports
Gower College Swansea is affiliated to Welsh Colleges Sports - this provides competition for students in the following additional sports - volleyball, swimming, tennis, squash, badminton, table tennis, X country, trampolining and golf.
Contact rob.baynham@gowercollegeswansea.ac.uk

Updated November 2011