Bradford Dragons
Basketball Academy
Learn with the Bradford Dragons
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 sportsacademies@calderdale.ac.uk if you have any queries about the programme.
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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 inspirecentre@calderdale.ac.uk
Kids Holiday Camps
Facilities
Hannah Cockroft Sports Hall
3G Pitch
Dance Studio
Inspire Centre Gym
Classrooms & Meeting Venue
Grass Pitch
