Academic Studies with Sports

Program Overview

This program combines academic studies with professional football or basketball training. Students study GCSE, A-Level, or International Foundation Programme in the mornings and train in the afternoons. The football program offers two pathways, "Gold" and "Silver," with the "Gold" pathway providing more intensive training for aspiring professional or semi-professional players.

Program Outline

Part 2: Outline

Outline:

Program Content:

• This program is designed for students who have a passion for playing football or basketball and who want to continue training while they study.
• Students will study on our GCSE, A-Level, or International Foundation Programme at Abbey College Manchester in the mornings and have football or basketball training sessions led by professional coaches in the afternoon.
• For football students, there is a choice between two pathways, ‘Gold’ and ‘Silver’ programmes, with the elite programme offering a more intensive training and playing schedule for students who want to go on to play at a professional or semi-professional level.

Course Schedule:

• Morning: Academic studies (GCSE, A-Level, or International Foundation Programme)
• Afternoon: Football or basketball training sessions

Individual Modules:

Football Training Programmes:

• Gold Programme:
• 5 afternoon training sessions per week
• Player progression assistance, support, and advice
• Regular one-on-one development sessions
• Represent the college in league matches
• Analysis sessions via veo
• Gym membership
• Silver Programme:
• Up to 3 afternoon training sessions per week
• Termly reports and regular feedback from coaches
• Represent the college in some friendly and league matches
• Training sessions are delivered each afternoon by professional and experienced coaches at the Manchester Giants professional basketball team practice facilities.
• Students are taught to integrate "on-court" basketball skills with "off-court" life skills to secure academic and sporting success.

Part 3: Assessment

Assessment:

• Assessment follows the specifications of the academic course students choose to pursue, such as GCSE, A-Level, and International Foundation Programme.

Part 4: Teaching

Teaching:

• Students are taught by professional coaches.
• Basketball students train at the English National Basketball Centre alongside the Manchester Giants professional basketball team.
• For students who want to take the next step, regular trials with professional teams are organized.

Part 5: Careers

Careers:

• This program can lead to playing professionally or semi-professionally in the future.

Part 6: Other

Other:

• Students train at purpose-built professional standard training facilities.