Oaklands Wolves Athletics Academy A guide for new applicants 2019-20
We pride ourselves on being an athlete-centred Academy All athletes are supported by experienced College & Academy Teaching staff
OAKLANDS WOLVES ATHLETICS ACADEMY 4 ACADEMY FACTS 5 ABOUT THE ACADEMY 6 OUR STAFF 7-9 TRAINING 10-11 TESTIMONIALS 12-13 STUDYING AT OAKLANDS 14 RESIDENTIAL PROVISION 15
OAKLANDS WOLVES ATHLETICS ACADEMY Student athletes can apply for our Athletics Academy whilst gaining further academic qualifications by studying a variety of courses that Oaklands College has to offer. Our elite Athletics Academy will prepare you for a professional career in athletics, giving you the skills you need to progress and advance. Participation within our Athletics Academy is open to all students enrolled on a course at Oaklands College.
r.freckleton@wiredforsport.com
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ACADEMY FACTS
FREE for students aged 16-18
Strength and conditioning training 3 times a week
On-site accommodation available
Daily coached sessions
Physiotherapy support & osteopathy
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Individually tailored sessions with 1 to 1 mentorship
26 Team GB & England representations from Athletics Academy
Nutritional guidance
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ABOUT THE ACADEMY The Oaklands Wolves Athletics Academy is committed to creating and developing top athletes and introducing future champions in athletics. The Academy provides a unique opportunity to both high-level athletes and also those who are aspiring towards success. The Academy provides a complete athletics programme designed for each individual’s skillset, aimed at developing students into professional athletes. Our Athletics Academy students are given expert coaching and support services, which are specific to their individual stage of development and ability. Athletes can study almost any of the courses available at Oaklands College, but choices may be limited due to timetabling and training commitments. We operate a unique three tier system which allows athletes to get the best out of every training session in a competitive environment. Athletes are categorised into the following groups: Podium and P10: Athletes placed in our Podium team will generally have achieved a top 15 Power of 10 ranking, competed at English Schools or achieved the times outlined in the Athlete Selection Criteria. Athletes who have been through this level on our structure have achieved International Representation and World medals. Performance: Athletes placed in our Performance team will have also generally achieved a top 50 Power of 10 ranking, competed at English Schools or achieved times outline in the Athlete Selection Criteria. Athletes who have progressed through this level have developed and progressed to achieve International Represenation. Potential: Athletes placed in our Potential team will have generally had some experience of athletics and have competed before, however newcomers are always welcome. Advancements in ability are continually assessed, allowing for progression as required. www.oaklands.ac.uk/athletics 6
OUR STAFF STEWART CHALLIS Coach, Athletics Academy Hi, my name is Stewart Challis, I am an athletics coach with 5 years experience coaching elite level athletes. After working in Bath with an elite group I decided to start my own group in Windsor. I have since coached sprinters to represent Great Britain and young athletes to English Schools level, alongside working with team sports athletes competing internationally. Through my coaching I strive to help athletes achieve their goals through educating and guiding them through the sport.
ANDREW NICHOLETTOS Coach, Athletics Academy Hi, my name is Andrew Nicholettos. I am an osteopath, with additional qualifications in sports medicine, strength and conditioning and clinical exercise prescription. I have worked as an osteopath for 9 years in private and NHS settings, and have worked as an extended scope practitioner where I specialised in the management of persistent shoulder, spine and knee pain. I have worked in a number of elite sports settings; more recently I have focused my attention on athletics. My aim is to provide athletes with a thorough injury management and prevention plan, that is well reasoned, supported by mature science, and understood by the wider athletic community.
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OUR STAFF - CONTINUED DAIRE CURRAN Physiotherapist & Coach, Athletics Academy My name is a Daire Curran, I’m a physiotherapist and coach. I have been working in elite sport for 5 years, mostly with American football and track and field. I work in athletics because the margins are slim, the lights are bright and there’s nowhere to hide. I want to help any athlete who steps into that light in any way that I can.
JAKE AWE Sprints & Technical Events Coach, Athletics Academy My name is Jake Awe and I’m a Sprints and Technical Events Coach. I have been coaching for 6 years at levels varying from club to international, featuring Great Britain Representatives, English Schools champions and National medalists across a range of events. My mission is to give every athlete the chance to achieve their full potential, no matter the level or experience.
TRAINING Training with the Oaklands Wolves Athletics Academy is a well structured system which has seen over 20 athletes progress to International and National representation. Our aim is to progress each athlete to a higher level from point of entry. A blend of Technical, Physiological and Psychological development forms the basis of our training schematic. Technical development sessions are a key focus for us 3 times per week. These sessions are lower (progressing to higher) intensity training sessions as different levels of ability are achieved. With a wide variety of athletes we will ensure that you are training with similar abilities to keep training units at the correct levels.
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Physiological development sessions occur 3-4 times per week. These sessions are higher in intensity and volume. The aim is to enhance your physicality in order for you to express your newly developed technical skills with greater emphasis. With fully qualified and UKSCA accredited staff your Strength and Conditioning sessions are targeted and meaningful. To further support this our medical team consisting of Osteopathy, Physiotherapy and Sports Therapy are experienced, charted and available daily. Integrated into our training units, Psychology sessions are available on a per monthly basis. Discussions are confidential and purposeful. Whether this be for coping strategies, mental readiness or more, you will be able to use this resource to further develop your performance capabilities.
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TESTIMONIALS OLIVIA BREEN: Four-time Paralympic Gold medalist Livvy Breen began her remarkable rise to stardom at the Oaklands Wolves Athletics Academy. “I have cerebral palsy, which affects the balance in my legs and arms, but I don’t really feel it when I’m running.” World Champion Livvy made the most of her experience in the Athletics Academy, helped on as part of her SKY Scholarship scheme which has supported her in her triumphant sporting success, achieving 5 Bronze medals, 1 Silver and 4 Gold at the age of just 22, across four different Olympic sports including women’s 4x100m relay, long jump, 100m and 200m sprints.
Notably, Breen was part of the T35-38 Team GB relay team, which included stars such as Bethany Woodward, Sophie Hahn and Jenny McLoughlin The girls stunned the Athletics, setting a new British record of 53.84, another testament to Livvy’s professionalism and determination to be the best athlete she can be!
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TESTIMONIALS CONTINUED OJIE EDOBURUN: Ojie Edoburun is a 100m and 200m sprinter and an Adidas UK athlete for Team Great Britain. Ojie is another shining example of the success which can be achieved through the Oaklands Wolves Athletics Academy. Competing at the 2013 World Youth Championships, Ojie won a Silver medal in Donetsk, before claiming his first 100m Gold medal at the 2015 European Athletics Junior Championships in Sweden. Ojie has since gone on to win both Gold and Silver medals at the 2017 European Under-23 Championships in Poland.
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STUDYING AT OAKLANDS The academic side of the course is integral to the athletics programme. Full compliance with the chosen academic course is expected and any athletes in breach of this are banned from training until they have caught up or complied. Oaklands College Expectation
Supporting Your Learning
Students are expected to engage fully in their studies and there is regular communication with tutors to ensure our students are on track academically. If falling short of expectations, students can be withdrawn from training.
The College has an excellent student advice team who can support you with any pastoral needs. There are trained support tutors available in the Learning Resource Centre to support you with assignment work outside of lessons.
Should you have any questions about the courses available within the academy, a full list of courses can be found online at www.oaklands.ac.uk.
We are also able to provide additional learning support for students with particular learning needs, either on a one to one basis or through in-class support, as well as support with special exam arrangements.
English & Maths It is an expectation that all students without GCSEs in English and Maths graded at 4 or above will retake English and/or Maths alongside their main programme, as either a GCSE or Functional Skills qualification. This may impact on some training involvement during the week.
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RESIDENTIAL PROVISION
New residential accommodation due to be completed in 2020.
The coming year will see the arrival of a brand new homestead to house many of our best student athletes across the academies. Should you wish to apply for residential accommodation at the College, this should be included in the online application when prompted. Detailed residential application packs will then be distributed for completion and places will be allocated in June. In 2019, construction began on a brand new residential block on campus (above), which will have even higher capacity and very modern and comfortable living design built into it. This is scheduled to be completed in the Summer of 2020. Additionally for students from low income families, financial support may be available to support with these costs. For more information and details on costs, contact us via email at www.info@oaklands.ac.uk or call 01727 737000.
info@oaklands.ac.uk
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Ryan Freckleton
r.freckleton@wiredforsport.com Oaklands Wolves Athletics Academy Westminster Lodge, Holywell Hill, St Albans, AL1 2DL
@teamoaklands
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