Part of the

The netball academy programme combines academic study and high-quality sporting provision, making the most of the Trust’s unrivalled sporting facilities. The Netball Academy offers prospective students individually-tailored educational pathways; these consist of studying A-Levels and/or BTECs, depending on students’ goals and ambitions, as well as providing students with high-quality netball coaching and support. Alongside academic study, several accredited netball specific qualifications are completed over the two-year period to

further enhance students’ experience, including: Level 2 Coaching Award; Introduction to Umpiring Award; First Aid; and Child Safeguarding. The course also includes specific nutritional advice and programming. Strength and conditioning sessions are incorporated and delivered by a professional conditioning coach.

There are numerous opportunities for you to compete against independent schools and Sixth Forms across the West Midlands and wider region. This level of exposure offers our students self awareness and an understanding of where their standard of netball is in a local, regional and national context. This is a unique opportunity for students to not only pursue high-quality further education, but to also maintain a firm focus and development within the sport they love. The aim of the academy programme is to develop a life-long commitment to netball and the growth of netball within the UK, at grassroots level and beyond.

HOW THE NETBALL ACADEMY PROGRAMME IS STRUCTURED….

There are 3 main aspects of the Netball Academy programme:

COURSE ELEMENT 1:

HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION

The underlying and most fundamental focus of this post-16 course is based wholeheartedly around the provision of a high quality post-16 educational programme. Students are offered one of the following pathways depending on their academic attainment in year 11. Students can choose to study any course within the Invictus Sixth Form prospectus as transport is provided to the other schools if required.

COURSE ELEMENT 2:

EXCELLENT NETBALL PROVISION

Students are provided with 2-4 hours of professional Netball coaching each week. As well as this, students are provided with 2 hours of strength and conditioning training at Heathbrook fitness. This session is delivered by Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Club’s first team S & C coach. Students are also be able to access monthly boot-camp based sessions. Fixtures are a key part of the academy however academic achievement and progress are always the priority. • Tracksuit to wear to lessons – Training Clothing.

COURSE ELEMENT 3:

DEVELOPING NETBALL IN THE COMMUNITY

Students are given the opportunity to complete various accredited courses so that by the time they finish Y13 they are fully qualified to work in the world of Netball whether
that be coaching, umpiring or working alongside local schools. Students complete courses that include child safeguarding, first aid, coaching and umpiring awards. All courses are free of charge. Students also get the opportunity to organise and host Netball festivals for primary and secondary schools across the district which improve their interpersonal and communication skills, in addition to giving back to the local communities.

Added benefits for Netball Academy students:

• Free kit – you are given clothing to wear at training, game days, and around campus.
• Tracksuit to wear to lessons – Training Clothing
• You get free use of Invictus sports facilities during the day
• You get free travel to and from matches & food at matches
• You get the chance to participate in ‘Netball’ based trips throughout the year, including visits to high performance games
• Access to a laptop at low monthly payments, to support both academic studies and netball performance analysis