Three Rivers Academy Sixth Form offers a unique opportunity for male and female students to study their choice of A levels or Vocational courses whilst accessing an American style Sports Academy programme focused on helping them reach their potential as a player in their chosen sport. We aim for our Sports Academy programme to provide talented students with a unique blend of academic study, expert coaching, personalised training and high quality competition. We currently have academies in football and basketball with plans to increase these in the future.
Elite Sporting Provision Football Academy in association with Walton and Hersham F.C. Academy
Walton and Hersham F.C. Academy at Three Rivers Academy has been set up with the aim of offering an Elite Level College Football Programme similar to that of professional clubs in the UK. Through structured tutoring and mentoring, our UEFA A licenced and ex-professional coaches, combined with high-quality teaching, aim to help players reach their potential as a player on the field and a student off it. We aim to ensure that all student-athletes are provided with several exit routes and opportunities to either play football, gain employment or continue onto further education.
Now in its fourth year, Surrey 89ers (formally the Scorchers Academy) gives players the opportunity to play top-flight basketball whilst studying for A-Levels or BTECs in a state-of-the-art education establishment. Its team plays in the Southern Conference Academy Basketball League, and has already seen several members of the squad earning spots on the 89ers’ BBL roster.
“The great thing about our Academy is that we have players of different levels,” said Daniel. “The elite players get exposed to the BBL, they practice with the 89ers’ BBL squad and sit on the bench for some first-team fixtures. Then we’re working with the beginners to get them up to a level where hopefully one day they can be practicing with the BBL squad.“
“It opens their eyes and shows them what things are like at the next level. A lot of them want to play Division One basketball in America, and with our three American players who all played Division One, they can see the standard they need to be at week in, week out.”
“We’re normal sixth form students, we come to school and do our A’Levels, and then alongside that we’ll do our basketball training either in the morning or late afternoon,” explained Academy player Jack Fettes. “Most Academies don’t let you train with the BBL team, but we get to see what it’s like to be professionals. That is a big factor in our improvement.”
“It’s great being able to combine our school work with getting to play with professional players on a weekly basis,” continued team-mate Marc Sylvest. “It’s a great honour but it’s tough, because not only do they have the experience they’re also so much stronger and faster than you. Everything you do, you need to do ten times better. There’s no room for error, and to be able to do that every week really helps us develop. It creates that professional mindset which you can then take into the Academy team.”
“The main thing is where these boys go after this,” said Daniel, who is assisted by 89ers captain Tayo Ogedengbe. “If I can get four or five of them into University, not necessarily just to play basketball but also to get their degree, that’s success for me.”
Basketball Program
Led by Head Coach Len Busch, who brings decades of experience in developing young athletes into elite performers.
Sessions combine strength and conditioning, performance analysis, and on-court practice. Students must balance their studies with their basketball to maintain academic progress and stay on track to achieve their target grades.
