Apr 2021 Ballito Umhl

Promotion
Reaching Their Potential
Helping students fine-tune their skills and tap into their sporting potential, Ashton International
College’s High Performance Programme aims to create well-rounded young sportsmen and women.
Launched in the Senior College at the
end of January this year, the Ashton
High Performance programme is aimed
at guiding, supporting and providing
each student with the necessary
tools to reach his or her full potential
within their sporting code. A total of
78 students from five sporting codes
(cricket, football, hockey, netball and
rugby) were identified to be part of this
programme.
The programme kicked off with sport
scientific testing to identify weak and
strong components within the different
sporting codes. It provides students
with specific team programmes, which
are implemented once a week, and
the students have the opportunity
to attend individual training sessions
where the focus is on improving their
weaker components and maintaining
stronger ones. The High Performance
programme also focuses on mental
skills coaching and nutritional planning
which, along with the training
programmes, contribute to athlete
management, injury prevention and
overall improved performance.
To develop an interest and love for
sport from a young age, Ashton’s
sports department starts working with
students from Grade 0000, where the
emphasis is on learning through play. At
the same time, the students are working
on improving their motor and social
skills development with their sports
lessons, which consist of fun games and
activities. As the students move through
the Ashlings Early Learning Centre, their
skills base increases and the sporting
codes are introduced in the Foundation
Phase.
The Foundation Phase students are
introduced to the different sporting
codes and participate in mini matches
and tournaments against other schools,
fostering an ethos of fun, enjoyment
and sportsmanship. This trend of
development continues into the
Intersen Phase and the students are
taught leadership skills and team work,
in addition to the more competitive
rules of the sporting codes. Once the
students are in the Senior College
and compete in leagues, the High
Performance programme is introduced.
These stages of sport development
allow the students to be exposed to a
variety of sports on offer at Ashton and
to participate in sport and develop a
love for a healthy and active lifestyle.
Details: Ashton International College Ballito, Albertina Way / 032 946 2096 / marketing@ashtonballito.co.za
46 Get It • Ballito Umhlanga April 2021