TeamBath and Beechen Cliff School launch new sports academy
6th June 2005TeamBath and Beechen Cliff School today (Monday) announced the launch of an innovative new sports academy for talented young football and hockey players.
The academy will cater for students aged 16 to 18, combining high quality academic study to Advanced Level at Beechen Cliff School with world-class coaching in either of the sports at the University of Bath.
Applicants are now being invited for 15 football academy places and 15 hockey academy places for next academic year. It is hoped that some of the successful applicants may decide to progress to study at the University of Bath on completion of their A Levels.
Ged Roddy, Director of Sport at the University of Bath, said: "This initiative is an exciting opportunity to help students who are gifted both academically and in their chosen sport to continue develop those talents in parallel.
"We will provide excellent coaching in our world-class sports facilities to help nurture their sporting talent and Beechen Cliff School will look after their academic requirements," he added.
Roy Ludlow, Headmaster of Beechen Cliff School, said: "We at Beechen Cliff School are delighted with the programme because our sixth form, which is already strong and
successful, will be enhanced by the admission of these outstanding sportsmen. It's a very special day for the school."
Successful applicants to the academy will have over 25 A Level subjects to choose from at Beechen Cliff School.
During their time at the academies they will each receive 360 hours of coaching in their chosen sport during the academic calendar each year, as well as 50 hours of coaching outside school terms.
Football and hockey coaching will take place at the state-of-the-art facilities at the University of Bath's Sports Training Village.
Footballers will benefit from coaching by members of TeamBath FC's coaching staff, including head coach Paul Tisdale, a former pro' with Southampton and Bristol City, as well as Andy Tillson and Brian Parkin, who share around 1,000 league and cup appearances for Football League clubs.
The hockey coaching programme will be led by Bobby Crutchley, a former England international player and currently assistant coach of England men's team. Lead coach for the programme will be TeamBath Olympian Wayne Denne. Wayne, who plays for the successful TeamBath Buccaneers hockey team, has more than 100 South African caps to his name and saw action for his country at both the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games and at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
TeamBath already has extensive links to schools in the Bath area through its various activities, including through TeamBath Tribe, which sees qualified coaches visit local schools to run coaching sessions in a range of sports, including basketball, netball and football.
Beechen Cliff School has a very strong sporting tradition and Old Boys include World and Olympic champion Jason Gardener, who trains at the University of Bath's state of the art sports facilities, as well as TeamBath FC head coach Paul Tisdale, Southampton footballer Jason Dodd and former Bath and England rugby player John Hall.
Applicants are being sought for the first intake of students to the academy. Applicants will be asked to attend an open day on Thursday 16th June, which will include sessions at both the University of Bath and at Beechen Cliff School.
For further information about the academy or to register interest in joining the academy, please contact: Hayley Evans, Sports Development Administrator, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY. You can also contact Hayley by telephone on 01225 386915, by fax on 01225 386755 or by email.