The Phoenix Academy of Sport is giving Ballarat students the chance to follow their sporting dreams and combine them with studies at Phoenix P-12 Community College.
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The Academy of Sport quietly launched earlier this year but the COVID-19 disruptions to school terms has seen a slower takeoff than first expected.
The program offers specialised coaching in basketball, BMS racing and soccer, with plans to add netball to the list next year.
Vice principal Grant Luscombe said the academy acted as an extracurricular program for students in year seven to nine, and an academic program in years 10 and 11 where participants complete a Certificate III in Sport and Recreation as part of their sporting endeavours.
Mr Luscombe said in developing the academy, the school was looking to build strong community links and provide students with an opportunity to pursue their sporting interests.
"It's for any student who wants to take up that opportunity, not necessarily for elite students but those who want to further develop in that particular sport," Mr Luscombe said.
Ballarat Sebastopol Cycle Club provides coaching to the BMX students who travel to the track once a week. Ballarat Basketball coach Joel Anderson instructs students in the basketball program, and soccer players train at Trekardo Park in partnership with Ballarat City Soccer Club and City of Ballarat.
Senior students have their Academy of Sport sessions timetabled in to their weeks while younger students train during their pastoral care activity sessions, often combining those with lunchtimes. Some basketball coaching also takes place before school.
There are about 50 students in the 2020 Academy of Sport program, but numbers are expected to increase to 70 to 80 next year. Already confirmed are around 25 year 10 students and 10 year 11 students taking the course as part of their VET subjects.
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Mr Luscombe said he was looking forward to a relaunch of the Academy of Sport when students return to on-campus learning in term four. "For us to relaunch back in term four is going to give something positive for the kids to look forward to when they come back to school," he said. "They have to do work and catch up with learning but this is something really positive to come back to."
He said the idea for the academy grew from the school's desire to build strong community sporting partnerships, parent feedback about the need for extracurricular activities, and a goal to give students all the benefits of sport such as team work, relationship building, and the chance to pursue their passions.
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