Football Academy

The sports academy program is designed to enhance individual performance and sport related skills for high achieving sportspeople. The opportunity for identified talent to train in the hours of daylight, with highly qualified coaches throughout the school year, offers these athletes the time to hone existing skills and to learn and develop a wide range of new skills. These include individual and team skills, tactics, fitness, nutrition and sports psychology. The ultimate goal for students is to work towards becoming an elite performer.

Aims:

  • The purpose of the Sports Academy is to achieve high performance from talented sportspeople within their specialized areas.
  • A mix of practical and theoretical studies is taught. The program provides a pathway on to academic success in Sport Science and Physical Education at the senior level.
  • The Sports Academy operates as a half year option subject.

The program provides both sport specific coaching and theoretical generic sports related studies with a major focus on Literacy over a 2 year period. This includes:

  • Literacy – learning through sport as the medium
  • Goal Setting and reflective journals
  • Principles of Training
  • Physiology and Anatomy
  • Sport Psychology
  • Diet and Nutrition
  • Injury prevention
  • Mentoring and Leadership
  • Fitness and conditioning
  • Skill development and tactical awareness
  • Video Analysis (numeracy)
  • Fitness studies

Football Academy Head Coach – Connor Chellew

Qualifications: B. Ed (PE), NZF Goalkeeping Level 1.

Experience: MRGS Girls 1st XI, Assistant Goalkeeping Coach for NZ U17 Woman, Canterbury United Youth Goalkeeping Coach.

Why I teach my subject: I have been involved in the game from a young age where I was fortunate enough to play at a high level in both NZ and overseas. Coaching football allows me to share my knowledge and experience with the younger generation in order to help them have their own positive futures in the game

Why I teach at MRGS: I have been at MRGS since 2010 having moved up from Christchurch. I enjoy teaching in a multi-cultural environment where I am forever learning myself, and where I can help our students grow in confidence to ensure they can fulfil their potential.

Connor Chellew – HOD Football Academy
Scott Lewis
– Boys Football Academy

Tom Watkinson (Football Academy 2019/2020)

Why I am studying this Subject:I chose to participate in football academy because it has given me an excellent opportunity to build new relationships with my peers, while being based around a subject that encourages hard work, in a sport that I love.

What this subject offers me: This academy has allowed me to further pinpoint my strengths and weaknesses and given me chances to improve all aspects of my game. It’s also encouraged me to set goals and support me in achieving them.

Why I love this subject:

I really enjoy this subject as it has given a new aspect to my training, often working on individual achievement while improving on tactical knowledge as well. When I look back I can see clear improvement from where I first began in academy and will use the things I have learnt to further improve over my playing career.