The KENT COLLEGE GTX SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME
From GREAT Gifted Really Enthusiastic Able & Talented
To being an elite performer through the GTX Programme
GTX the elite performance pathway Kent College, where excellence is a habit, has an enviable record in school sport. Over recent years the school has had a record of excellent sporting performance at local, County and National level with students going on to play National level sport. Our aim is to provide sporting opportunities for all pupils yet also to give the necessary focus to those that wish to take their sport to a higher level. For those emerging athletes we aim to provide students with knowledge of what it takes to achieve in elite and professional sport, and the best opportunity to develop those characteristics. This is achieved by our Gifted and Talented extension Programme GTX The programme is carefully designed to meet the needs of different ages, stages of development and performance levels.
Our GTX scholarship programme is one of the most comprehensive in the country A GTX sport scholar can expect: Highly qualified coaches One-to-one and small group coaching Masterclasses and inspirational talks by national athletes Regular structured training Year round development in their sport Competitive sport opportunities at all levels Pathways to representative sport Game analysis work Strength and conditioning programmes Fitness testing Physiotherapy advice and support Access to expert support in nutrition and psychology Good facilities Throughout the GTX Programme all students will have the very best academic support with a timetable that is appropriate to them as an individiual The focus sports of the GTX programme Hockey Rugby Netball Tennis Cricket Athletics Support is also offered to individuals in a range of other sports including Golf, Riding, Rowing, Basketball and Skiing
HOCKEY One of the finest hockey schools in the County 2017 Outdoor National Finalists 2017 Indoor National Finalists 2016 Indoor National Finalists 2015 Indoor National Finalists 2014 Outdoor National Finalists 2014 Indoor National Runners Up 2011 National Champions Kent College is the major venue for all County Tournaments including the prestigious Frank Mason Tournament. Pre season coaching plus out of season training available to all. GTX 1:1 performance coaching. National and International sports tours. Strong links with Canterbury Hockey Club.
Director of Sport: Nick Clark Level 4 Coach Previous posts held England U16, U18 and U21 Men s Assistant Coach England U16 Women s Head Coach England U21 Women s Head Coach England Senior Women s Head Coach Performance Coach of the Year Craig Boyne The coaching team at Kent College are delighted to be joined by Craig Boyne, Australian International, as the elite hockey performance coach. He has also played tennis at state level.
Grace Balsdon Grace Balsdon attended KC from the age of 3 to 18; now a full time member of the GB Squad. Grace regularly returns to run sessions for the GTX athletes Jack Rolfe Sports science coaching student at CCCU represents Canterbury Hockey Club and played in England Hockey U18 Futures Cup. Regularly joins the coaching team at Kent College
RUGBY Rugby remains a traditionally popular game at Kent College. The strong link with Canterbury Rugby Football Club allows players to play and train throughout the year. Regular training trips to Wales help to ensure that the boys become the best players that they can be!
Matthew Robinson Matthew Robinson coaches with the same passion that he showed when he played for Wales. Linden Lockhart All round sportsman and PE teacher, Linden joins the coaching team at Kent College, heading up the rugby coaching team.
NETBALL Kent College continues to maintain an excellent reputation for Netball. Throughout the age groups the teams compete at local and County level and pupils enjoy a full and varied fixture list of friendly matches and tournaments. Girls are regularly selected for the England Performance Pathway. Girls are encouraged to join one of the local clubs. Strong links with Canterbury Pilgrims ensure access to County League matches Francesca Waters Graduate Assistant, Netball Coach Telstars & Premiere South British Universities Player
Claire Balsdon leads and is instrumental in the highly successful Girls Department; her areas of expertise are netball, hockey tennis and athletics
TENNIS Boys and Girls teams compete in both Aegon Leagues and the County Cup. School fixtures ensure that there is enormous opportunity for participation at all levels. Coaching is available in the Summer Term for all pupils, and senior pupils can access indoor coaching in the Winter months at a local club. Individual coaching can be organised and many of our pupils benefit from this experience. BESPOKE TIMETABLE Nationally ranked players benefit from an individually designed curriculum which allows them access to essential training while remaining focused academically. Recently a player has reached the National Finals at U.14 level and also played in the LTA tour qualifiers
CRICKET Darren Scott Former Kent Cricketer Level 3 ECB coach Kent Cricket Academy Coach Darren Scott heads up the cricket coaching team and the GTX programme Outstanding A-level results 77% A* to B. Exceptional IB results Boys Cricket is the major sport in the Summer Term. Coaching takes place all year round with indoor nets. We regularly have County ranked players who can access one-to-one coaching through the GTX programme
As GIRLS CRICKET joins our GTX programme we are already winning regional trophies
ATHLETICS We have a strong reputation for athletics and regularly cater for the needs of high performance athletes. We have a demanding athletics fixture list and enter English Schools Athletics Competition every year. Strong links with Invicta Athletics Club enable our athletes to gain the right level of competition and coaching.
Emerging Sports FOOTBALL FOOTBALL is now a senior team sport at Kent College and we enter the East Kent League which takes place in the Autumn and Spring terms. This has been a success so far and we are looking to build upon these strong foundations. Our coaching staff includes a strong link with Charlton Athletic. BASKETBALL BASKETBALL is an important sport for Kent College. Our team plays in the East Kent league and we have achieved some good successes in the past two years. The team is trained by coaches from Medway Crusaders and trains every week. There is the opportunity to further develop talent by joining outside clubs Support is also offered to individuals in a range of other sports including Golf, Riding, Rowing, Roller Hockey and Skiing
One to One Coaching One to One coaching from one of our performance coaches is a crucial part of the GTX programme Health & Nutrition Nutrition and an understanding of their fuel requirements is a vital part of our scholars education. Experts are brought in as part of the GTX programme
PHYSIOTHERAPY is available on campus during school hours and ensures our sports scholars are performing at their maximum. This programme is a preventative programme for our athletes and can be accessed further if necessary.
Physiology For the GTX programme we have teamed up with UKC in order to access appropriate physiology analysis when required Strength & Conditioning All GTX Scholars attend weekly strength and conditioning classes. Scholars are able to take advantage of the state of the art gym at the University of Kent
Speakers Motivational speakers and masterclasses with top athletes are an important part of the GTX Programme Emily Maguire Olympian Millie Knight Paralympian John Inverdale BBC Presenter Dame Kelly Holmes 3 x Olympian Tallisa Haynes Surrey Storm Coach Jason Lee Olympic Hockey Coach James Tindall 2 x Olympian Katherine Grainger 4 x Olympian Les Reed Kate Richardson Walsh Executive Director 3 x Olympian Southampton Football Club GB Captain
Future Masterclasses Denise Holland Ex Scotland and Brunel Hurricanes Netball Coach Ashley Jackson GB Olympian Young Player of the Year Darren Stevens Kent County Cricket club England Lions Grace Balsdon GB and England Barry Middleton GB Captain Double Olympian
GTX Scholarship Programme Sport scholarships are available at Kent College in order to attract pupils with excellent potential. The maximum scholarship is 50%. Scholarships are awarded in to Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12. 50% Scholarships are reserved for exceptional talent. Preference is given to pupils in the focus sports but all sports are considered. An early discussion with the Director of Sport is recommended. Nick Clark nclark@kentcollege.co.uk
Nick Clark Director of Sport sport@kentcollege.co.uk Tel: (01227) 763231 KENT COLLEGE, CANTERBURY, KENT CT2 9DT www.kentcollege.com