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

2. 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.

3. How common are sport schools?
82% of German Olympic medals from 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
Sport Academies in Alberta

4. Types of Academies 1) Elite Development (22) 2) Sports Excellence (3)
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

5. Sports Academies

6. Academy Profile: Warner Hockey

7. 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.)

8. Academy Profile: Vauxhall Academy of Baseball

9. 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

10. Academy Profile: Hanna Hockey Academy

11. 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

12. 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

13. Schools Offering Sports Academies in Alberta

14. 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)

15. 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)

16. 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

17. 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?

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