Sport Archives - Page 2 of 3

Ackworth School Football Academy students enjoy success with Harrogate Town AFC

Nov 20, 2024 | Boarding, Latest News, Senior School, Sixth Form, Sport

Three of Ackworth School’s Football Academy players were selected this week to join the Harrogate Town Academy side in their FA Youth Cup third round match against Birmingham City.

Chester, Charlie and Reece joined the team in a commanding performance earning a 3 – 1 victory against Birmingham City at The Exercise Stadium, with Chester scoring the final goal of the match with only ten minutes to spare, securing the win for Harrogate.

Ackworth School’s Director of Football, and former PFA Merit Award winner, John McDermott said “Our unique partnership with Harrogate Town AFC gives our players not only the opportunity to play at the highest levels of school football, but also to compete on a national level against professional academy teams. I am proud of the dedication that Chester, Charlie and Reece have shown to secure their place in the Harrogate Town Academy team“.

Ackworth School’s Football Academy first team continue their excellent start to the season of 12 wins in 13 games against Boston Spa or Bingley Grammar School next week in the West Yorkshire Cup final.

Harrogate Town AFC and Ackworth School Football Academy trials

Jan 26, 2024 | Ackworth School, Sixth Form, Sport

Harrogate Town AFC and Ackworth School are excited to announce upcoming trials for prospective students to join our Sixth Form and U19 Football Academy starting from September 2024!

Partnered with Harrogate Town AFC, Ackworth School provides a unique opportunity for aspiring young football talents to combine elite U19 football training with a comprehensive 6th Form education offering A-Levels or BTEC Sport.

Under the expert guidance of John McDermott, a PFA Merit Award winner in 2009 and a UEFA A licensed coach, players can expect professional training at an elite level. Our partnership with Harrogate Town ensures participation in high-stakes fixtures against other professional academy and school teams.

Outstanding players identified during the trials will have the chance to be awarded full or partial scholarships, opening doors to a world-class football and academic experience.

Trials will be held at Ackworth School on Wednesday, 14 February 2024, 10:00am to 1:00pm.

More information can be found on the Football Academy page of our website. To secure your spot at the trials please complete our Football Trials Registration Form. If you require any more information, please contact admissions@ackworthschool.com or 01977 233621.

Don’t miss this chance to be a part of an exceptional football and educational journey! Harrogate Town AFC and Ackworth School are ready to discover the next generation of football stars. See you on the field!

Ackworth School partners with Harrogate Town AFC to launch new Football Academy

Feb 22, 2023 | Old Scholar, Senior School, Sixth Form, Sport

Ackworth School is delighted to announce a new partnership with English Football League Two team, Harrogate Town AFC to deliver our Elite Football Academy from September 2023.

Students enrolling in the academy will benefit from high levels of contact time per week with our school-based UEFA licence qualified Director of Football. This will comprise of regular individual and group skills coaching sessions, regular football matches for both the Academy (and for the school when possible), and supervised strength and conditioning training.

In addition to the Academy’s home being at a brand-new 3G pitch ten minutes from the school, students will have access to five full-sized pitches, a multi-use games pitch and an indoor training area. Students enrolled in the football academy can also take full advantage of the heated indoor swimming pool and our purpose-built fitness suite.

Head, Anton Maree said “I am struck by the professionalism demonstrated at every level by Harrogate Town Association Football Club and their staff. The benefit of being able to tap into that professionalism can only be an advantage to our school and our students. I look forward to a lengthy association with HTAFC and am delighted with the opportunity that it brings to our school and to all footballers within our local community.”

Simon Weaver, Harrogate Town AFC Manager said “I am delighted that our football club has entered into partnership with Ackworth School. I am immensely proud of the association with my former school. Anton Maree is a great leader and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my meetings with him. We are passionate about developing student athletes at the school. The school has strong values and so do we as a football club and that is why we have faith in each other to produce a successful joint venture that gives pupils every opportunity to develop, enjoy and succeed.”

Many players will choose to join the Academy alongside their Sixth Form studies. Two study routes are available: traditional A-Levels, or the BTEC Extended National Diploma in Sport (equivalent to three A-Levels) for those wanting a more vocational education. Those pupils joining the Academy in years below the Sixth Form must take the required academic course appropriate to their age and ability and involve themselves in the school’s co-curricular programme.

For more information about joining Ackworth School and the Football Academy, please visit www.ackworthschool.com/sports/football-academy/ or contact us on admissions@ackworthschool.com.

Sporting Success outside of School

Jan 16, 2023 | Ackworth School, Sport

We celebrate the achievements of our pupils within and outside of school. Over the weekend of the 15th January, Jack (fifth form) jumped at the Northern Indoor Championships at Sheffield Institute of Sport, taking home a gold medal! He achieved a clearance of 1.90m. Congratulations Jack!

An Evening of Table Tennis

Oct 21, 2021 | Sport, table tennis

On October 8th Ackworth School hosted a friendly Table Tennis tournament.

The school was joined by a selection of special guests playing alongside our own Academy team. It was an evening of showcasing skills and enjoying a friendly thrilling tournament.

One guest who joined the school for the tournament as well as an afternoon of talks was world-renowned singer/songwriter Zak Abel. Zak was ranked No. 1 in the Cadet age group in England and was 2009 Cadet Boys’ Singles national champion at the age of 14; he was also ranked No. 5 for under 18s in England. Between 2008 and 2010 he won the Under 15 national singles and Under 18 doubles titles. In 2010 he was ranked number 39 in the senior category. At the age of 16, Zak had a chance of a change in career and began to give more of his devotion to his music. The decision was not without cost as the table tennis sector had lost a brilliant player, but the music industry was to gain. Zak has featured in the top 20 UK charts working with artists such as Gorgan City, Duke Dumont, and Kygo. His top single on Spotify has over 150 million plays!

Zak Abel enjoys the evening of table tennis.

The tournament itself was thrilling. Although Ackworth School came second to the away team their performance was a credit to Head Coach, Eli Baraty. It was the perfect event to have been able to showcase his amazing coaching and view the skills of both teams.

The Ackworth School Table Tennis Academy is a pre-eminent programme not only within UK boarding schools but within the junior game. The programme offers students the chance to excel under world-class coach, Eli within a school environment which champions traditional values. Our students compete in the premier division of the Junior British League and train in our bespoke table tennis centre. Pupils also have the opportunity to travel abroad to train and play in international tournaments.

To enquire about applying to join our Table Tennis Academy, contact our Admissions team.

Senior School Scholars Reach Great Heights!

Sep 20, 2021 | Ackworth School, Sport

Amazing achievements from Ackworth pupils

Over the summer, two of our very talented 4^th Formers, Jack and Isobel, both achieved outstanding medals for their performances in high jump, and dance.

Jack, 14, achieved gold at the Yorkshire Championships back in August, the Trafford Medal Meeting in September, and a silver at the English School’s Athletics Championship in July 2021.

Jack said, “Now I have nearly finished my season, it’s time to prepare for the next one!”

Isobel, 14, achieved three bronze, three silver, and three gold medals in tap, ballet and pointe at the Dance World Cup which took place in July 2021. The training never stops as Isobel told us she is now preparing for the qualifiers for the 2022 Cup!

An amazing effort from two very talented individuals. We look forward to hearing what the future holds for them both.

If you would like to be featured or have an achievement you would like to mention to us, contact our team at admissions@ackworthschool.com with your story.