Selection Process

There are no age restrictions within the programme as the age you can identify potential elite performers is different for each sport. However, sports can be classified as early or late specialisation. Early specialisation refers to the fact that some sports, such as gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, figure skating, diving and table tennis require early sport-specific specialisation in training. These differ from late specialization sports in that very complex skills are learned before maturation since they cannot be fully mastered if taught after maturation.

Late specialisation sports, such as athletics, combative sports, cycling, racquet sports, rowing and all team sports require a more generalised approach to early training and therefore identification of the potential elite performer occurs post-maturation.

Subsequently, the majority of athletes involved in the two academy programmes will be Year 9 plus. This highlights the need for our “Talent Development” scheme, aimed at the talented younger athlete involved in late specialisation sports.

Below explains the selection criteria for each part of the “Talented and Gifted” programme:

Elite Academy Programme - Acceptance onto the elite programme would require the candidate to be of a very high standard within their sport and age group. The criteria will be different for each sport but in order to give examples the athlete could be performing at the following levels – Junior or Senior National/International, Junior or Senior National/World ranking (subject to sport), a Level 1 or 2 - Professional Club/Academy, Olympic potential (qualifying times/distances etc.). All athletes will already be identified by their National Governing Body (NGB) and the majority will be receiving a high level of support. BMS will work alongside these organisations in order to maximise this potential and hopefully allow the individual to achieve both their sporting and academic goals.

Potential Academy Programme – This level is for athletes that have the potential to reach the “elite” level. This group are often unable to reach their true potential as they have not been identified by their NGB or do not quite fulfil the NGB’s criteria in order to receive support. Examples include the late developer i.e. an outstanding athlete that has taken up a sport relatively late, or someone that matures much later physically.

Talent Development – This is aimed at young athletes that stand out at school or club level. The support is not sport specific; instead it develops generic sporting and athletic ability. Aspects that may be developed include speed, agility, balance, co-ordination, striking, catching, throwing and kicking skills, visual acuity and basic physiological conditioning. This programme will be tailored for long term development and help to identify individuals for the “Potential Academy”.

Application

Academy Application - Each candidate will be assessed on their sporting cv along with recommendations from coaches, selectors and NGBs. Each application will be dealt with by a selection committee on an individual basis.

Selection onto Talent Development will usually be through recommendation by staff at School. For those individuals involved in a sport that is not played at BMS, parental application can be sought.

For further application details, please download our application form or contact Mr Rob Hardwick on rhardwick@bedmod.co.uk .

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