The Programme - Basketball | SGS College

The Programme - Basketball | SGS College
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Open
Today
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Next Open Day:
Thursday, 30th April 5:30pm - 8:00pm
HOW TO APPLY FOR AN SGS ACADEMY
Register your Interest
for SGS Sports Academies
Attend an
Open Event
at SGS College.
Formally apply to a valid SGS College course and Sports Academy
you will need to add both an academic course and an academy to your basket
via
our study page
Attend an SGS Sport Trial Day (your coach will get in touch about trials in
October and February
).
Once you are offered a place, we'll invite you to our
Welcome to SGS Sport Meetings
and ensure your SGS Sports course application is complete.
Any questions? Email
[email protected]
Basketball Academy
SGS Basketball, in partnership with Bristol Flyers, supports learners in securing pro contracts, USA scholarships, and competing in the EABL, AOC South West, and BBL.
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Basketball
In this section:
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The Programme
The Male Basketball Academy at SGS Sport offers athletes aged 16-19 a
comprehensive opportunity to advance their athletic careers while
studying at SGS College. Learners in the SGS Sports Academy benefit from
up to 15 hours of weekly contact time, including on-court training,
gym-based strength and conditioning sessions, and athlete development
sessions covering psychology, nutrition, and brand awareness throughout
the season. Additionally, all learners receive three individual feedback
sessions annually with their coaches, focusing on academic development,
personal needs, and areas for improvement.
The SGS Sport program also offers an extensive Sport Science and Medical
package focused on injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.
This includes strength and conditioning sessions, sports rehab, sports
massage, and pitch-side first aid and matchday emergency cover at the
SGS WISE Campus. Each academy benefits from two strength and
conditioning sessions per week, delivered by our coaches across our two
performance gyms. Additionally, a dedicated team of sports rehab
professionals is available to support athletes in case of injury. We
also collaborate closely with the academic sports department to provide
work experience opportunities for students, including sports massage
services for sports academy learners. SGS College offers a dedicated ice
bath facility for student use. Furthermore, there are various placement
opportunities for university-level students in sports psychology,
performance analysis, and strength and conditioning. For the 2024-25
academic year, SGS College, in collaboration with the University of
Gloucestershire, is launching a paid MSc studentship opportunity. These
initiatives aim to develop SGS College into a centre of sporting
excellence and research.
The Basketball program begins each August with an extensive pre-season
period that combines on-court sessions, strength and conditioning gym
and track sessions alongside team-building activities. The main program
runs from September to June, with academic schedules structured to
accommodate the Sports Academy offerings. During the season, training
sessions are held on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons, and
Friday mornings, featuring a mix of individual, squad, and unit-based
sessions.
The SGS Sport Basketball games take place on Wednesday afternoons, with
the 1st team competing in the EABL League against the top colleges in
the country. Additionally, the second team participates in the AoC Sport
Competition program against local colleges.
In addition to playing for SGS College teams on Wednesday afternoons,
the close relationship with the Bristol Flyers offers athletes
opportunities to progress and represent the Bristol Flyers at the
Under-18 level, in the senior National Basketball League, or for elite
athletes, to train and play with the Bristol Flyers in the British
Basketball League.
Academic Qualifications
To participate in the Basketball program at SGS College, all learners
must be enrolled in a full-time academic qualification, such as
Vocational qualifications or A Levels. Many learners choose to study
disciplines like Sport, Sports Media, or Media at the WISE Campus, while
others pursue A Levels or Business Studies at the Filton Campus. For
those studying at the Filton Campus, a shuttle bus service is available
to facilitate transportation to and from the WISE Campus.
Participation in the Sports Academy provision is contingent upon
adherence to the SGS Sport Code of Conduct. This code outlines
expectations regarding behaviour, attendance (maintained at 92% across
all academic qualifications), timely submission of work, and adherence
to sporting conduct standards. Compliance with these requirements
ensures learners' eligibility for involvement in the Sports Academy
program.
Partners and Progression
SGS College is the birthplace of the Bristol Flyers and has a
longstanding relationship with the team across both the male and female
pathways. The SGS WISE Arena serves as the home of the Bristol Flyers
BBL squad, regularly hosting sell-out crowds who enjoy top-level British
basketball at SGS College. In addition to this, the 2023-24 season saw
Bristol Flyers make their European debut bringing top level European
Basketball to the SGS WISE Campus for the first time in the club's
history. The Bristol Flyers squad also trains at SGS College, providing
elite athletes with the opportunity to combine their studies with
training and playing for the BBL squad. This arrangement has benefited
star athletes such as Jayden Edwards, Louis Tucker, and Callum Smart in
recent years.
Additionally, SGS College operates the Bristol Flyers junior squads at
the Under-12, Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18 levels, as well as the
senior Men's 2nd team and Women's 1st team. This structure offers a
complete basketball pathway at SGS College, enabling players to progress
through the ranks and potentially play at the highest level. Moreover,
there are external progression opportunities, with our coaches being
well-connected to American Colleges, offering learners the chance to
advance their careers outside the UK.
The Basketball program is one of the leading Diploma in Sporting
Excellence (DISE) partnerships in the country and the only one in the
South West. This designation enables high-performing athletes to pursue
additional skills and qualifications alongside their basketball program
at SGS College, further enhancing their development and opportunities
within the sport. The DISE Qualification is worth an additional 64 UCAS
points and is assessed through a portfolio of your student-athlete
journey at the College. SGS Sport offers 6-7 places on the DISE
Programme per year based on trials and references from our colleagues at
Basketball England.
Our Alumni and Academy Success
Over the years, numerous players from the SGS Basketball Academy have
progressed through the program to represent the Bristol Flyers in the
BBL, including Jayden Edwards, Callum Smart, Greg Streete, Josh Rogers,
and Corey Samuels. Additionally, many SGS learners have advanced to the
United States to play in the NCAA or attend junior colleges. Other
athletes have gone on to represent their countries or Great Britain,
such as Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye at the senior level and Louis Tucker and
Callum Smart at the Under-20 level. Additionally, AJ Edu has represented
the Philippines at the World Cup.
Individual Success:
Dwayne Lautier Ogunleye - Bradley University (NCAA D1), Great Britain
Senior Men, Current professional in Austria
Ariel John Edu - University of Toledo (NCAA D1), Philippines U19 and
Philippines Senior FIBA World Cup, Professional in Japan
Deane Williams - Augusta University (NCAA D2), Great Britain U20,
Professional Career, Basketball Champions League winner
Tamas Okros - Post University (NCAA D2) & Great Britain U20
Josh Rogers - Carson-Newman University (NCAA D2), Professional
Basketball Career, Bristol Flyers Captain
Nathan Symons - Wales U16
Jayden Edwards - Wales U16, Bristol Flyers
Louie Tucker - Great Britain U20, NCAA D1 Stetson
Callum Smart - Great Britain U20, NCAA D2 Augusta
Fin Woodward - Scotland U16, NCAA D2 West Liberty
Corey Samuels - Professional in Sicily, Bristol Flyers
Basketball Staff
Chris Bourne
Director of Basketball
Chris Bourne
Director of Basketball
Chris Bourne leads the SGS Basketball Academy as the First Team Head Coach, bringing extensive experience and a winning mindset to the program. Currently, Chris is also the Head Coach for the Bristol Flyers Men’s 2nd Team and an Assistant Coach for the Bristol Flyers SLB team.
Chris has an impressive coaching portfolio, including his role as the former Head Coach for the England U15 Boys programme and his work with the GB Under 20s. His deep knowledge of the game and dedication to player development make him an invaluable asset to SGS Basketball Academy, inspiring the next generation of basketball talent.
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Gus Roach
Assistant Coach Basketball and DISE Assessor
Gus Roach
Assistant Coach Basketball and DISE Assessor
Gus Roach is a Basketball England Level 2 Coach with a passion for developing young talent in the sport. With over 10 years of youth basketball coaching experience, he is currently involved with the Bristol Flyers junior club, where he focuses on nurturing the next generation of players.
Before transitioning to coaching, Gus was a dedicated player for the Bristol Bombers, which has now evolved into the Bristol Flyers. His extensive background as both a player and coach allows Gus to bring valuable insights and expertise to the court, inspiring young athletes to excel in basketball.
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Mo Adepoju
Mo Adepoju
Coming Soon
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SGS Sport Staff
Dr Craig Barden
Head of Strength, Conditioning and Sports Therapy
Dr Craig Barden
Head of Strength, Conditioning and Sports Therapy
Craig has worked at SGS since 2010 when he graduated from the University of the West of England with a degree in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation. Craig is the Head of Strength, Conditioning and Sports Therapy in the Sports Academy. Outside of the academy, Craig is Head of Medical for the Bristol Flyers Basketball Club, whilst he is also course leader for the MSc Sports Therapy degree at the University of Gloucestershire. He has completed a PhD in injury prevention in youth rugby, with England Rugby, at the University of Bath, publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at international conferences such as the International Olympic Committee Conference World Conference on Injury and Illness Prevention in Sport.
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Jordan Barnes
Sports Therapist
Jordan Barnes
Sports Therapist
Jordan graduated from the University of Gloucestershire with BSc (Hons) degree in Sports Therapy in 2014. Upon completion of his studies, he spent several seasons working in professional rugby. These roles covered both academy and senior squads in a performance enhancement and soft tissue roles. This helped to further his knowledge and understanding of both injuries as well as injury prevention in a professional sporting environment. Jordan has worked with multiple international teams in the build up to Wold Cups helping the teams prepare by providing soft tissue treatments.
Outside of college Jordan runs an injury clinic seeing everything from office workers to professional sports people (including some Paralympians). Alongside this working with semi professional football covering all things medical.
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Max Cooper
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Max Cooper
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Max started working at the college in 2022. He completed his BSc and MSc (Hons) degrees in sports strength and conditioning, from the university of Gloucestershire. Max has had experience with a multitude of different teams including: Severn Stars netball, Bristol Bears women and Bristol City u21 women. Alongside his role within SGS he also works with Bristol Bears u16's working as an athletic performance coach. Max's passion and expertise lies within speed development and enjoys carrying out speed training for all of the sports teams at SGS.
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Will Crowfoot
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Will Crowfoot
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Will started working at the college in 2018 and is also an ex Student. He holds a undergraduate and masters degree in strength and conditioning from Cardiff Metropolitan University and is also an accredited UKSCA coach. Outside of the college Will also works for Bristol City Women and the strength and conditioning coach for the academy age groups (U21, U16 & U14's),whilst also having worked with Bath Netballs ADC based at the college.
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Pip Dickin
Sports Therapist
Pip Dickin
Sports Therapist
Pip qualified as a Sports Therapist from the University of Worcester in 2021 and is a member of the Society of Sports Therapists (SST). Pip has worked with various sports teams, at different levels of competition, including former BBL team Worcester Wolves and local rugby teams Dings Crusaders and Bristol Imperial RFC. Pip also works for Bristol and Bath based clinic Top to Toe Physiotherapy, treating a range of injuries and conditions.
Pip continues to develop her knowledge through CPD opportunities, gaining qualifications in myofascial cupping and gait analysis and re-education as well as keeping up to date with first aid through the RFU accredited PHICIS course.
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Daniel Newman
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Daniel Newman
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Dan is an experienced strength and conditioning coach working with top level athletes and individuals at all fitness levels. Having been involved developing athlete’s physical qualities in an abundance of sports, Dan has previously worked within multiple Professional Sports Clubs, National Governing Bodies, and University and College sport teams. Holding MSc Strength and Conditioning, and BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science qualifications, he is also a BASES Supervised Sport and Exercise Scientist. Dan’s strong passion and experience in sport and exercise aspires to support the student athlete to reach their true potential and help develop the strength and conditioning programme at the College.
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Katie Northwood
Sports Therapist
Katie Northwood
Sports Therapist
Katie joined the college in 2024 and brings valuable experience in joint pain and cardiac rehabilitation and a strong passion for Olympic weightlifting. She holds an BSc degree in Sports performance from the University of Essex and is dedicated to applying her knowledge to support both rehabilitation and athletic performance. She continues to study at the University of Gloucestershire undertaking a research project looking at the association between neck strength and concussion risk in team sports. Her background combines a deep understanding of both clinical rehabilitation and athletic training, making her a versatile practitioner.
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Tom Riddell
Sports Rehabiliator
Tom Riddell
Sports Rehabiliator
Tom graduated with a degree in Sport Rehabilitation from The University of Salford in 2012. Since then, he has worked in a number of different private clinics as well as with a number of sports teams. He started at SGS in October 2021 and is currently the lead therapist for Male Football. Tom's sporting background was swimming where he swam for Clevedon swimming club and was club captain twice also competing at county level. Outside of work he is a keen musician playing three instruments in a band.
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Connor Sidley-Adams
Curriculum Director of Personal and Social Development
Connor Sidley-Adams
Curriculum Director of Personal and Social Development
Connor joined SGS College in 2019, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous role as Sport Development Manager at Richard Huish College. During his tenure at SGS, Connor has advanced through multiple roles, including College Sport Maker, Learning Area Manager for Extra-Curricular Programmes, and now Curriculum Director of Personal and Social Development, where he oversees cross-college PSD initiatives and the SGS Sports Academy.
With a background in football, Connor represented England Schoolboys at the U18 level before transitioning into coaching. He holds a UEFA B Licence, a BSc in Sport Development and Coaching Sciences, and an MSc in Sports Coaching. His extensive coaching experience includes roles as an FA Coach Mentor and FA Affiliate Tutor, along with coaching positions at Taunton Town, Bath City, and most recently, Tiverton Town FC.
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Choisze To
Operations Lead
Choisze To
Operations Lead
Choi Sze To joined SGS College in 2007, bringing extensive expertise from her background as a professional table tennis player representing Hong Kong internationally. Her deep passion for sports and education has allowed her to make a significant impact on the development of student-athletes throughout her tenure.
As Operations Lead, Choi oversees various aspects of the SGS Sports Academy, ensuring that all programs align with the needs of aspiring athletes. Her strong foundation in the sporting industry is complemented by her academic credentials, holding a degree in Business Management and a Master’s in Sports Management. This unique combination allows her to create an exceptional learning environment that enhances the sporting experience for students.
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Dominic Williams
Sports Rehabilitator
Dominic Williams
Sports Rehabilitator
I joined SGS in November 2022 after studying Sport Rehabilitation at University West of England (UWE) from 2019-2022. I graduated in July 2022 with a second-class honours degree. Alongside SGS, I currently work as the assistant sport rehabilitator for the Bristol Flyers, and as a sport rehabilitator at Philgood Rehabilitation. I have previously had experience working for Chippenham Town Football Club and other clinical settings at UWE. Outside of work, I play football, used to compete in kickboxing, and play the drums.
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How to Apply
Thank you for your interest in joining an SGS College Sports Academy!
Our Sports Academies are highly regarded, boasting national success, Olympic and Paralympic representation, medals, and pathways to professional contracts. Due to this popularity, we hold trials for each academy in October, February, and Easter.
To stay informed on trial dates and all SGS Sport updates, you can either apply formally or simply register your interest. Both options ensure our coaches have the details needed to keep you up to date on important developments with more information below.
Register interest for a Sports Academy
Register Your Interest
Stay Updated:
By submitting this form, you'll receive updates about trial days and taster events hosted by our Sports Academy throughout the year.
Apply for a Sports Academy
Add a
full-time course
to your basket.
While still on that full-time course page, add a sports academy by clicking on the "Sports Academy Add-Ons" tab and selecting a sports academy.
Finally, click the Basket icon at the top right of the screen and then "Proceed with Application".
See All Full-Time Courses
Apply for a Higher Education Course and Academy
For students interested in pursuing a Higher Education degree at SGS College, applications for academic courses can be made via
Search - UCAS
. Those wishing to combine their academic studies with a Sports Academy program should also complete
the Register Your Interest form here
Please Note: Higher Education students are eligible to join our American Football, Men's Football, Netball, Women's Football, or Basketball programs.