Academy students enjoy degree of sporting action
STUDENTS at Thorp Academy have returned to the classroom after half term – but those enrolled on the Elite Performer Programme enjoyed a break with a difference.
As part of the Ryton-based college’s exciting scholarship programme, athletes enjoyed a two-day visit to one of the country’s top-five ranked British Universities and Colleges Sport centres in Nottingham.
That was followed by a trip to the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, where support has recently been provided to a wide-range of Winter Olympic sports including short track speed skating.
Thorp’s trip to the University of Nottingham saw them experience the superb facilities, including one of the largest indoor sports arenas in further education and one of only three glass badminton competition venues in the UK.
There were also sessions on the climbing wall and strength and conditioning work in the newly-opened £2m indoor facility.
Students then had a recovery session which saw them dip in the plunge pool before they watched a BUCS netball fixture against Oxford University.
Danny Evans, the coordinator of the Elite Performer Programme at Thorp, said: “It was a fantastic trip for our students and has given them an insight into what life is like at one of the top-performing sport universities.
“We want our students to aspire to attend one of the universities like that and they have seen some of the best facilities around.
“The visit to Nottingham included an overnight stay at the excellent Kenwood Hall, Sheffield, and a trip to the nearby Meadowhall Shopping Centre. It was nice to see the students show great interest and they worked hard throughout the visit.”
There were surprises in store when the students made the trip to Sheffield’s renowned Institute of Sport.
Retired Olympic champion Jessica EnnisHill was filming a new commercial there and took the time to wish Thorp’s students good luck for the future.
World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was also training in the Team GB facility and Thorp’s athletes spent a few minutes watching him work on his upper body strength.
The tour also included a look at the facilities which provide a base for Team GB badminton, including seeing paralympian Jack Shephard train, and a look at the under-17s women’s ice hockey team work on their game.
Before the students returned to Ryton they competed in an athletics competition to end a great two days.
Thorp Academy still has sport scholarships available.
The EPP scheme aims to help students fulfil both their sporting and academic potential during their time at school.
For further details contact devans@thorpacademy.org.