Aquinas Sports Academy

When is Aquinas getting a sports academy?

Great news! The Aquinas Sports Academy (ASA) is up and running as of the start of this year. Time has been spent over the past year researching exactly what shape and form the academy should take to best advantage our pupils. Commonwealth games medallist, Rebecca Cotton, was employed to help us with this project.

Why has the college decided to have a sports academy?

This year Aquinas College becomes seven years’ old.
Over the years the College has successfully established its special character; achieved an academic record it is extremely proud of; and witnessed a flourishing of the Performing Arts.
There’s no doubt our comparatively small college has already achieved great guns in the sporting arena. We have individuals who are national champions, we have winning teams and vastly improved teams, and we have a great sense of fair play, commitment and determination. ASA will continue to enhance the fine sporting foundation that has been developed.
ASA’s vision is to produce champion teams and champion individuals.

What exactly does ASA aim to achieve?

ASA aims to:
Set up, support and fund the infrastructure to enable Aquinas to be consistently playing in the top division and at a level to win championships
Attract, identify, acknowledge, mentor and support students in order to produce champion teams and champion individuals
Support the selection, retention and ongoing up skilling of Aquinas Coaches
Facilitate the continued development of club structures.

How will ASA benefit pupils at Aquinas – is it only for selected pupils?

The ASA will benefit all pupils involved in sport at Aquinas.
When we researched what sort of academy we wanted for our school, we selected a generic model. This means no one sport has an advantage over any other.
This year there will be two ASA classes – one at Year Eight level and one at Year 10 level. Class sizes are small and have been set at about 12 pupils per class. Pupils had to apply for selection and standards were impressively high for this year.
The selected pupils will still spend the bulk of their time in their usual classes, and will attend ASA classes for two periods per week – with a few additional hours after school.
However, most importantly, this academy is not just for those selected to attend ASA classes.
Widespread participation and achievement in sport is central to the mission of Aquinas College and ASA recognises this.
The ASA umbrella will encompass many Aquinas sports codes. The ASA director will work with the teachers-in-charge of various sports to support administration, sports funding, short and medium term targets and planning. The ASA will also be involved in a skill upgrade of coaches.

Will the ASA always have classes at only two-year levels?

No. The aim for next year, for example, is to introduce another class at Year 9.

Who is in charge of ASA?

Mr Bill Kite has been appointed as ASA director. He has an extensive background in Secondary School teaching, having specialised in Physical Education (PE) and Mathematics for the past 20 years. He has also been heavily involved with coaching various sporting teams at all levels. His work history includes time as Sports Director and PE Head of Department at Dilworth School in Auckland.
Mr Kite’s role will encompass not only developing the ASA class programme and teaching, he will be involved in promoting the ASA and sport at Aquinas and he will oversee the provision of coach development opportunities. He will also provide leadership in sport development.
There is also an ASA board. Those on the board are: Marg Cosgriff (chair), Bill Kite, Richard Watson, Shane Wilson, Stephen Low, Glenys Kroon, Bruce Cortesi, Donna Pike, Mike Simmons, Brendan Schollum, Andrew Burn and Monique Balvert-O’Connor.

What will be covered in the ASA classes?

The curriculum will cover a whole host of things from goal setting and steps to success, motivation, fitness components, nutrition and what it takes to be an elite sportsperson.

How do I go about becoming an ASA student?

Applications for ASA classes for 2010 are due in by 13th November 2009. Please down load the form from here:
ASA Application Form