ASPIRE Sporting

Handbook

VARSITY COLLEGE ASPIRE Basketball Program Contents

History and Rationale ...... 3 Goals and Purpose...... 3 Key Personnel ...... 4 Program Overview ...... 7 Partnerships and Industry Links ...... 8 Expectations and Commitment to Program Requirements...... 9 Maintenance of Position in Program ...... 10 Application Process ...... 10 Appendix 1: Parent Student Agreement………………………………………………………………………..11

‘FITTER, FASTER, STRONGER & SMARTER’

History and Rationale Since its inception in 2008, the Varsity College ASPIRE Basketball program has aimed to not only produce high quality student athletes but to use Basketball as a vehicle that assists us in developing players physically, socially and emotionally. It is an expectation that all players within the ASPIRE program endeavour to raise their own expectations and adhere to the programs core values on a daily basis. The ASPIRE program prides itself on producing quality student athletes and life-long learners who can take the skills they learn within our program into their lives outside of school and long into the future.

Students involved within our program can expect to be a part of a team culture that instils many characteristics that are vital to life in the outside world, such as teamwork, respect, responsibility & discipline. With these daily lessons taught and learned on and off the court, our students will become champions of character and will become coachable adolescents who will in turn become employable adults.

Goals and Purpose The ASPIRE Basketball program aims to provide students an unparalleled opportunity to develop towards an ‘elite’ level in Basketball, through elite coaching opportunities and specialised strength and conditioning. Targeted support is provided to encourage students to reach their full potential as Athletes, whilst promoting academic success and instilling Varsity Colleges CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER values.

1. RESPECT: Respect for your team, team-mates, coaches, teachers, college, and yourself through the demonstration of a strong work ethic and honourable behaviour.

2. INTEGRITY: Adhering to our ASPIRE and College core set of values and principles and conducting yourself with pride.

3. RESPONSIBILITY: Being accountable for your actions on and off the sporting field.

4. SPORTSMANSHIP: The continuous demonstration of a positive attitude and respect for our team, the opposition and the game.

5. LEADERSHIP: The ability to lead by example, accept direction from others and support and encourage player development and a love for the game.

Key Personnel

Head of Department Ty Dowker – [email protected]

Ty is the Head of Department for Health and Physical Education. Ty joined Varsity College in 2018, after extensive experience as an Acting Head of Department and Sports Coordinator in his previous schools of Coombabah SHS and Miami SHS. Ty is an Experienced Senior Teacher, and is very passionate about the importance of health, fitness and well- being for students, both educationally and practically. Ty’s role is to oversee the management of the program, and provide support to teachers, students and parents in maximizing student outcomes in their study of ASPIRE Basketball Program.

Head Coach & ASPIRE Basketball Program Co-Ordinator Adam Darragh – [email protected]

Adam joined Varsity College in 2008 with the purpose to create the first Basketball Excellence program on the Gold Coast. Since its inception, the Varsity College ASPIRE Basketball program has been a Basketball force amongst schools.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Applied Science - Human Movement Studies & Education

Coaching Experience: • Head Coach Varsity College Aspire Basketball Program 2008 - Present • President & Founder of the Varsity Vipers Basketball Club 2009 - Present • Head Coach South Coast 16-18 yrs Boys 2010 - Present

Playing Experience: Juniors • Gold Coast & Southern Districts representative player • 1996 Division 1 State Champions • 1998 QLD State Team – U20’s

USA College Basketball (Martin Methodist College – Pulaski Tennessee) 2001 - 2003 • Academic All-American Student Athlete & Deans List • 2002 Freshman All-Star 5

Queensland Basketball League • Gold Coast Rollers 2006 - 2016

National Basketball League (NBL) • 2003 - 2005 • West Razorbacks 2005 - 2006 • New Zealand Breakers 2006 – 2007 • Equal third NBL all-time for consecutive three point baskets made in a single game (6).

Senior Girls Head Coach & Senior Learning Hub Co-Ordinator Giovanna Bassini – [email protected]

• Gold Coast Junior Representative player • U17 QLD South NAJBC team selection • Varsity College Senior Learning Hub co-ordinator • Varsity College Senior girls coach 2010 – 2012, 2020 – present • 2020 Varsity College ‘Dedication to Students’ Awards recipient

Sophomore Boys Coach Scott McGregor

Coaching Experience: • 2020 Varsity College Sophomore Boys State Championship - Silver medal • 2020 u14 Div 1 Gold Coast Representative Coach – Qld State Champions • 2021 Gold Coast u14 Representative Coach

Playing Experience: • 1994 – 95 Australian Institute of Sport • 1996 NBL Rookie of the Year • 1996-97 Newcastle Falcons • 1998 – 2000 • 2000- 07 • 2004 Hawke’s Bay Hawks • 2005 Otago Nuggets • 2007-09 • 2011 – 2017 Gold Coast Rollers (QBL)

Junior Girls Coach Simon Hunter

Coaching Experience: • Bendigo Braves – Junior teams • 2020 Varsity College Sophomore Girls Coach • 2019 – 20 Varsity Vipers u13 and u15 Division 1 coach

Playing Experience: • Won Victorian State Championship u/14 s Bendigo Braves • Represented Bendigo Braves at u14 Australian Championships • U/16 Victoria Country team • Toured USA representing Victoria U/16 and U/18 • U/18 Victoria Country team • Senior Basketball - Bendigo Braves SEABL • NBL Development Player - Gold Coast Rollers

Strength & Conditioning Coach– Rick Martin – Bond University High Performance Strength and Conditioning Coordinator

Qualifications: Diploma of Fitness ASCA Level 3 Professional level – Strength and Conditioning Coach Certificate 4 Workplace Training and Assessment & Level 2 Sports Training 2020 Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year

Program Overview The ASPIRE Basketball program is conducted as an extra-curricular activity to allow students to access all academic opportunities available at the college, whist still providing students the opportunity to develop their sporting ability.

The program focuses on providing a sequentially developed program for students over years 7 -12 closely linked to the teaching practices and standards according to Basketball .

• Year 7 & 8 – ‘Intermediate’: Skill Acquisition • Year 9 & 10 – ‘Advanced‘: Skill Acquisition and Game Training • Year 11 & 12 – ‘Elite’: Games and Performance Training

Senior Secondary program training times: Mondays 2:45pm – 4:00pm Wednesdays 2:45pm – 4:00pm

Junior Secondary program on court training times: Tuesdays 2:45pm – 4:00pm Thursdays 2:45pm – 4:00pm

Strength & Conditioning Sessions: Mondays 7.00am – 8.00am (Varsity College Sports Hall) Thursday 3.00pm-4.30pm (Weights & Yoga - Bond University)

Students MUST be on time and ready to practice as per the program training times set out above. If a student is unable to take part for any reason they are to notify the Head Coach via email, phone call or in person.

Uniforms Students accepted into the ASPIRE Basketball program will be provided an ‘ASPIRE Basketball Training uniform (jersey and shorts).

It is the expectation of the ASPIRE Basketball program that students will attend ALL training sessions with their training uniform. Students will not be permitted to train without the correct uniform. Training uniforms can be collected from the College uniform shop located near the tuck shop.

Competitions & Tournaments The ASPIRE Basketball program takes part in several competitions throughout the school calendar year starting with the interschool GIPSA (Great Independent Public Schools Alliance) competition, for all students not in the OP pathway.

In addition to the GIPSA competition, program participants will also take part in several invitational and exhibition style tournaments through the year, including:

1. Gold Coast Invitational Tournament 2. TSS Invitational Tournament 3. Down Under Hoops 4. Big 4 Tournament 5. GPS invitational games 6. District (Oceanic) Trials 7. Regional (South Coast) Trials – Queensland State Championships 8. Champion Basketball School of Queensland Tournament (CBSQ) 9. U15 Sweet 16 Tournament

Note: Exhibition and one off games will be scheduled during the school year. Players and families will be notified in advance.

Senior Mentoring Program Year 10, 11 & 12 ASPIRE athletes engage in the Senior Secondary mentoring program, a program requiring athletes to complete two (2) hours of coaching in the Junior Secondary ASPIRE Basketball program per term. The goal of this is to promote leadership, self- confidence, organisational skills and ultimately aides them in building a rapport with other students across all year levels within the program.

The Senior Mentoring Program is an essential part of the ASPIRE Basketball program experience and allows for each and every one of our student athletes the opportunity to lead.

Partnerships and Industry Links The ASPIRE Basketball program has built strong relationships over the years with major stake holders in Basketball, including the Gold Coast City Regional Basketball Association (GCCRBA). This partnerships provides students opportunities to access specialised coaching from current and former senior players who have competed at the highest level and the local Gold Coast Rollers SBL and QBL players and teams.

Varsity College ASPIRE Basketball is proudly partnered with the Varsity Vipers Junior Basketball Club. Athletes also have the opportunity to play in the Gold Coast City Regional Basketball Association for the club, which is based at Varsity College senior campus. Games are played on Friday nights at the Carrara Sporting Complex.

Student Selection Criteria

Successful applicants for the ASPIRE Basketball Excellence program will need to demonstrate (and provide supporting documentation for):

❑ Complete and submit the ASPIRE BASKETBALL Application Form ❑ Above average academic results in all subjects ❑ Very high levels of behaviour and effort ❑ High levels of achievement in Basketball or other ball sports ❑ High levels of physical fitness displayed at the ASPIRE Sports trial day ❑ A clear desire for extending their skills within their chosen sport and contributing to the broader sport community of the college.

Upon completion of an interview process, staff and specialist teachers will decide on the suitability of each applicant. Successful applicants will be notified by the school and the school’s decision will be final.

Expectations and Commitment to Program Requirements

The ASPIRE Program is committed to providing and maintaining a high performing and supportive learning environment for all its students. Being a part of the ASPIRE Program is a privilege, and students involved in the program must value and respect their placement. To this end, ASPIRE Students will endeavour to perform at the highest level across the Global ASPIRE Performance Areas:

ACADEMIC (classroom and extra-curricular) • Maintain high academic standards in all subjects (No ‘D’ or ‘E’ standards) • Submit all assessment complete and by the due date. • Attend all allocated study sessions.

BEHAVIOUR AND EFFORT • Maintain a very high standard of behaviour and effort across all subject areas. • Respect teachers and fellow students at all times. • Be punctual and prepared for all lessons. • Display high levels of behaviour at all times, not only during ASPIRE lessons, but with all Varsity College staff (teaching and non-teaching), contract and supply teachers.

CULTURE • Students understand they bear responsibility as an ambassador of the ASPIRE Program to be seen as a positive role model to others within the local community • Maintain a high level of school attendance in order to maintain learning standards. • Active participation in competitions, events, activities and excursions related to the ASPIRE Program. • Maintain high uniform standards in line with the Varsity College Appearance Policy. • Be accepting and tolerant of all students. • Show modesty and humility in interacting with students.

Maintenance of Position in Program

ASPIRE Programs operate a formal review process at the end of each term for students who consistently are not meeting Global ASPIRE Performance Areas as outlined in the Expectations and Commitment to Program Requirements. Grounds for review may include:

• Consistent lateness • Truancy, repeated detentions, after school detentions, suspension • Failure to submit assessment on a regular basis (monitoring and due dates). • Failure to meet academic, behaviour and effort standards as outlined in the Expectations and Commitment to Program Requirements. Failure to meet the financial commitment of ASPIRE Program.

The ASPIRE Review Process for students consistently not meeting expectations is completed at the end of the term. The following procedures are then implemented:

• These students and their parents contacted by either the ASPIRE Coordinator or the Head of Department where expectations of the program will be discussed. Specific targets will be identified, and it is the student’s responsibility to meet these. • The student will be placed on probation for the following term. If students fail to meet their targets throughout this period, their enrolment in the program will be cancelled, and they will be placed in a mainstream class for the remainder of the year.

Application Process

The Varsity College ASPIRE Program applicants are required to:

· Complete the online ASPIRE Program Application which can be found on the Varsity College website. Upload all required documentation as required and submit by the closing date.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be accepted.

· All Applications must be received no later than Thursday, 1 April 2021.

· You will receive further correspondence about testing dates and times once your application has been received and processed.

· Upon completion of the application process, staff and specialist teachers will decide on the suitability of each applicant. Successful applicants will be notified by the school and the school’s decision will be final.

APPENDIX 1: Student Parent Agreement Student Agreement I understand the purpose of the ASPIRE Program is to select and retain the most highly motivated and knowledgeable students who will maintain the level of commitment, dedication and interest necessary to successfully achieve quality learning outcomes in their program of study. The ASPIRE Program will create and maintain a learning environment of like-minded students that will support me in achieving my personal and academic goals in my program of study. 1. In all areas of college life, I understand that I bear responsibility as an ambassador of the ASPIRE Program to be seen as a positive role model to others within the local community. 2. I will endeavour to perform at the highest level across the Global ASPIRE Performance Areas. 3. I will demonstrate grit and determination as I strive towards my goals with the support of my parents. 4. If I do not adhere to the standards of the ASPIRE Program I understand that I may be removed from the program and forfeit my entrance fees.

I would like to accept my position to be a part of the Varsity College ASPIRE Program in 2022. I am aware that by accepting a place, I will agree to adhere to the ASPIRE Expectations and Commitment to Program Requirements and uphold the values and expectations therein.

Parent Agreement I understand that the purpose of the ASPIRE Program is to provide my child with a learning environment that supports and facilitates quality learning outcomes in their program of study. I also understand an aim of the ASPIRE Program is to ensure that I, as a parent, am supportive of both my child in the program and of Varsity College. I will, as much as possible, assist my child in maintaining a high level of commitment in order to successfully achieve quality learning outcomes in their program of study.

I will commit to the following: • Assist my child in maintaining a high level of attendance in order to maintain learning standards. • Actively encourage my child to maintain high standards in all subject areas. • Provide support to my child and the college in adhering to Varsity College policies and procedures. • Monitor the completion of homework set. • Where possible and convenient attend Parent Teacher Interview Evenings • Maintain open lines of communication with the college to ensure success for my child. • Meet all financial commitments as outlined during the application process (please note all ASPIRE fees are non-refundable)

Signed: ------(Parent) (Student)