Sport Academies in Alberta Presentation to Alberta Tourism, Parks, and Recreation November 8 th, 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 were won by current or former sport school student athletes 10% of Canadas Olympic (2006) team had or were attending a sport school 135 Sport Academies in Alberta are found in rural communities Sport Academies in Alberta

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

Sports Academies

Academy Profile: Warner Hockey

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

Academy Profile: Vauxhall Academy of Baseball

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

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

Study took place from May 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 Descriptive Study

Schools Offering Sports Academies in Alberta

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?

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) Credit Possibilities

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 Results

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? Implications for Sport in Alberta

Questions Thank you! Daniel Balderson, Ph.D. albertasportsacademies.com