Bradford Dragons
Basketball Academy

Learn with the Bradford Dragons
In partnership with Bradford 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 Bradford 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 RLFC & Bradford 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 Bradford 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

Check back soon!

Apply / Enquire

Please contact [email protected]  if you have any queries about the programme.

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Booking form

Please fill in the form linked below if you wish to book our facilities.

Rock Climbing Wall

Opening Times

Mon – Fri | 9am – 9pm

Sat – Sun | 9am – 5pm

Football, Rugby and Basketball Academies

Free car parking

Get in Touch

Call us on 01422 399 331 or email [email protected]

Kids Holiday Camps

Facilities

Hannah Cockroft Sports Hall
3G Pitch
Dance Studio
Inspire Centre Gym
Classrooms & Meeting Venue
Grass Pitch

We may look a little different!

You might have noticed we recently made some changes to the look of our website but don’t worry you can still find all the courses and information you need!

Here are some quick links below