Yorkshire Dragons
Basketball Academy
Learn with the Yorkshire Dragons
In partnership with Yorkshire Dragons, we bring you our Elite Basketball Academy. The partnership offers a unique opportunity and pathway in which 16-19 year olds can progress to an NBL level side whilst gaining an education.
The Programme
The Academy allows student athletes studying at Calderdale College to begin their basketball career with an NBL Division 1 league club, whilst gaining a nationally-recognised BTEC qualification.
Students enrolled on the programme will benefit from training on site, in state of the art facilities at the Inspire Centre, Calderdale College. These include a double sports hall, an elite strength and conditioning and fitness suite shared with elite athletes.
Players will receive ample contact time with UKCC accredited coaches in a timetable which is structured around their academic learning, ensuring the correct balance of time to complete academic work and training.
Benefits
- 4-6 hours of weekly training delivered by a team of highly qualified UKCC coaches from Yorkshire Dragons.
- Specialist coaching sessions looking at specific technical and tactical aspects of basketball, leading into regular fixtures in the AoC competition calendar.
- Weekly strength and conditioning sessions with qualified coaches along with nutritional seminars and advice.
- Help towards achieving a scholarship to carry on playing and studying in the USA.
Learn a trade as an academy student
We are proud to be able to offer a unique trade pathway for our academy students.
Calderdale College is one of the only college’s in the country to offer students the chance to learn a trade and gain a construction qualification whilst continuing their sporting journey with their academy team.
We work closely with our professional and elite sporting partners (FC Halifax Town, Halifax Panthers, Halifax FC Girls & Yorkshire Dragons), to be able to offer this exciting opportunity.
Your timetable is individually managed to ensure you get ample time in the classroom, in the workshop and on the field or court!
Meet the coach
Chris Mellor
Having played National League Basketball for 4 teams; Derby, Calderdale, Sheffield and Doncaster and also representing England at u’23 level, Chris retired from playing and started coaching the Yorkshire Dragons.
In this time, he has guided the club from the Bradford league, to the Yorkshire league and through the national leagues to where they are now; currently playing in NBL Division 1, the second tier of English professional basketball. Chris is also the current head coach of the University of Bradford Men’s Basketball Team.
Coach Mellor has won the prestigious Coach of the Year award in Division 1,2 & 3.
Recruitment Events
On Court Session – Monday 20 October, 6pm – 7pm
Yorkshire Dragons will be hosting their first Open Session of the year for students in Years 10 and 11. This is a fantastic opportunity to take part in an academy-style training session and get a real insight into what our programme has to offer.
You’ll train alongside our coaching staff and experience the structure and intensity of a typical academy session – helping you understand how we develop student-athletes both on and off the court.
Classroom Insight Session – Saturday 25 October, 3pm – 4pm
Following the On Court Session, you’re invited to a classroom workshop with Coach, Chris Mellor. This session will explore game understanding, tactical concepts and provide further insight into the expectations of academy life.
Apply / Enquire
Please contact sportsacademies@calderdale.ac.uk if you have any queries about the programme.
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Opening Times
Mon – Fri | 5pm – 10pm
Sat – Sun | 9am – 5pm
Football, Rugby and Basketball Academies
Free car parking
Get in Touch
Call us on 01422 399 331 or email inspirecentre@calderdale.ac.uk
Kids Holiday Camps
Facilities
Hannah Cockroft Sports Hall
3G Pitch
Dance Studio
Inspire Centre Gym
Classrooms & Meeting Venue
Grass Pitch
