Sport Academies in Alberta Presentation to Alberta Tourism, Parks, and Recreation November 8th, 2012 Edmonton, AB Daniel Balderson, Ph.D. University of Lethbridge

Sports in the Schools? Across Alberta (and Canada) schools are providing sport specific options for students during regular school hours. These school sponsored programs are called sport academies or sport schools.

How common are sport schools? 82% of German Olympic medals from 2001-2004 were won by current or former sport school student athletes 10% of Canada’s Olympic (2006) team had or were attending a sport school 135 Sport Academies in Alberta 40-50 are found in rural communities 2005- 2 Sport Academies in Alberta

Types of Academies 1) Elite Development (22) 2) Sports Excellence (3) Fees range from $2500 - $30,000/ year 2) Sports Excellence (3) No Additional fees 3) General Skill Development (117) fees range from no cost to 12,500/ year

Sports Academies

Academy Profile: Warner Hockey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xIQ_hOFBD8

School may start an academy to: Increase enrollment Attractiveness Student Retention/Engagement (keep grades up to participate) Bridge to the Community Local Expertise Engage Teachers 95% of Academies involve the community is some way (coaching, facilitates, volunteering, etc.)

Academy Profile: Vauxhall Academy of Baseball http://youtu.be/oAtm8egt8uA?hd=1

Students may choose to attend an academy school because Seeking Post-Secondary Scholarships/ Professional Opportunities Skill Development during a crucial period Coaching (professional, paid) Motivation Flexibility to gain an education and develop athletically Flexible with missing class for competition

Academy Profile: Hanna Hockey Academy http://youtu.be/9_2gG5qnVgk?hd=1

How do they work? Students enroll in core classes for part of the day (typically the morning). Then in sport specific classes in the afternoon Course credit is given for afternoon sport specific training Locally approved and administered

Descriptive Study Study took place from May 2011- July 2012 Information obtained on Academies via: On Line Survey, Phone Interviews, Website Analysis 93 Schools/organizations in Alberta that offer 135 Sport Academy options Split evenly between High School and Junior High

Schools Offering Sports Academies in Alberta

Credit? 18/29 Schools offer high school credits for participation in a Sports Academy/ Sport Program 11 High Schools offer sport academies but do not award credit Most middle school academies provide credit (option credit)

Credit Possibilities No Credit,1 Credit, 3 Credits, 5 Credits, 10, Credits, 15 Credits (100 needed to graduate in Alberta) CTS Credits (Career and Technological Studies- Sports Performance, Sports Nutrition, Sports Medicine, Coaching- 1 credit each) Physical Education Credits (PE 10, PE 20, PE 30) Sports Performance 15,25,35 (Now in CTS) Religion Credit (moral, character development)

Results Students may receive up to 1/3 of their High School credits (100 total) for participation in the Academy 70% of Academies use the mandatory High School Physical Education course to receive credits

Implications for Sport in Alberta Academies are different in many ways Marked increase in Academies across Canada the past 10 years Exposure of Alberta Youth to a variety of Sport Options Academy affiliation with Provincial Sport Organizations?

Questions Thank you! Daniel Balderson, Ph.D. daniel.balderson@uleth.ca albertasportsacademies.com