Communication, Leadership And Self-Reflection

Our Sports Academy Model harnesses the unique power of sport by offering a full-time education programme within a professional sports academy model.

We began developing the Sports Academy model of Education in 2011 with the Premier League and the education programmes it delivered at each of the Premier League clubs. We found that by enhancing the delivery and training schedules, sporting athletes can combine their studies and physical exercise into a compatible holistic system. The result is a more intelligent, internationally qualified and rounded student-athlete.

Since then we have introduced this model of learning to other sporting governing bodies, professional sporting clubs, professional leagues and schools.

Case Studies

Project Brief: La Liga

The project brief was to provide consultancy for the establishment of an Academy schooling system using a Blended Learning approach within a leading professional football club in Egypt. The submission was to design and introduce a holistic academy experience in which formal international education featured as the central core commonality among the 16 to 18-year-old players. Heavily featured was the development of emotional and social well-being assessment methodologies.

Project Brief: GEMS Education

Consultancy for GEMS Education to develop an in-school sports academy model of learning for a GEMS school in Dubai and Singapore. The Academy model improved efficiencies in both training and classroom performance combined with high achieving academic and athletic results for student-athletes. Successful outcomes ensured that student-athletes were prepared for entry into USA universities via academic and sporting scholarships.

Project Brief: Institución Educativa SEK

The project brief was to scope out a multi-sports academy concept aimed at developing Spanish national talent for a private school group in Madrid, Spain. Consultancy included concept design for educational delivery and academy branding. The project resulted in the successful launch of the SEK International Sports Academy with partnerships from national sporting federations, as well as developing an academic model using a blended learning approach that created an efficient academic and athletic model of student development within a K12 model of education (International Baccalaureate®).

Project Brief: Bolton Wanderers FC

Our consultancy managed the integration of a Blended Learning model of education that the football club delivered to its professional football players, international and local communities. We were successful in achieving two primary objectives for BWFC. In 2012 the club was awarded category one status for its Academy under the Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP). In 2014 BWFC was granted a Free School license from the UK government which allowed it to open the Bolton Wanderers Free School.

Project Brief: Pepsi

Our consultancy focused on the holistic educational development of young Egyptian players. Our Academy model developed players from local schooling and football teams into a national development model. We designed and educational model which incorporated a talent ID system for future football players from Egypt.

Project Brief: British Council/ Premier League

Our project brief was to design an accredited system of education through a sports academy model of learning. Working in partnership with the British Council and the Premier League, we used international accrediting frameworks where local coach and language development was taught and assessed within the sporting framework of football. Instruction design was formalised into active learning models of participation with formal assessment taking place as learning was put into practice. Premier Skills has been transforming lives since 2007 around the world.

Project Brief: Sporting Chances

Consultancy design was around the creation of BTEC qualification that targeted disengaged students from London. Students were invited back into a formal place of learning and were taught Professionalism through the medium of Sport in conjunction with Ashley Cole (Chelsea, England Professional Football Player) to provide mentoring guidance.

Project Brief: Nike

On behalf of Nike and using Basketball as the method of delivery, we designed a professionalism course of study for students struggling with a formal classroom setting for academic success providing mentoring guidance. The course was delivered in partnership with Luol Deng (NBA Basketball Player) and resulted in students being accredited with a BTEC qualification.