Academy – Derby Trailblazers Basketball

The Derby Trailblazers Basketball Academy programme gives aspiring young basketballers the opportunity to develop their basketball skills while studying academic qualifications to enhance their career prospects.

The College’s partnership with the Derby Trailblazers enables students to benefit from the expertise of highly qualified and respected coaches, which enhances the basketball-focussed curriculum.

Training and curriculum delivery will take place at Derby College Group’s Broomfield Hall site.

Applications are welcomed from individuals who regularly participate in basketball and who show a desire and willingness to develop their sporting performance.

Entry to the Level 3 Sport course requires candidates to have a minimum of five GCSEs at level 9-4 (A*- C) including English Language and Maths.

Students requiring GCSE resits can also access the Trailblazers Academy by studying the Level 2 Diploma in Sports Performance. 

Other programmes such as A-levels may allow partial access to the full training programme or have an impact on access to competitions and games.

If you have any questions, please contact paul.bowen@derby-college.ac.uk

The Academy includes:

• A dedicated training calendar
• Opportunities to progress to elite level pathways
• Access to AoC Sport regional and national trials
• A comprehensive EABL, WEABL, AoC and local competitions programme
• Technical and tactical coaching
• Psychological, physiological and lifestyle management
• Strength and conditioning support
• A dedicated elite athlete academic study programme offer

For specific course content, please visit the website pages relating to our Level 3 Extended Certificate in Sports Coaching and Development or Level 2 Sports Performance (Basketball).

This course will be delivered on-site at Broomfield Hall.

There are practical sessions in which you will be expected to take part and others that you are expected to lead.

We encourage learners to bring their own laptop to aid their studies.

Academy training sessions may take place in the evenings, early mornings or weekends.

You will be expected to maintain an attendance of over 95% throughout the year or your place on the Academy will be in jeopardy.

Students are expected to wear black tops (T-shirts, jumpers, hoodies etc) when in class and when representing the sports department during trips and visits. Students are free to wear what they choose on their lower half, as long as it is suitable for the activity being undertaken. Footwear needs to be appropriate to the surface being played on.

We recommend the purchase of a DCG-branded top to aid team identity. This is, however, not mandatory: we merely expect compliance with our colour code. T-shirts would cost in the region of £15 each.

You may be required to purchase Trailblazers-specific kit which is an additional cost set by the Academy.

We encourage learners to bring their own laptop to aid their studies.

Assessments occur throughout the year depending on the subjects studied. See information on our Level 3 Sports Coaching and Development course or our Level 2 Sports Performance courses for more details.

Progress is determined by how well you do in your academic studies. Alternatively students may seek employment within the sport and leisure sector. You will also be provided with information about scholarships in the United States while studying with the Academy.

For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk or tweet us @derbycolsport or @DerbyBlazersBA