Athletic Development

The purpose of this tier in the framework is to appropriately guide students, towards the beginning of their health and fitness journey. More importantly at this stage of their development and maturation, the emphasis is on understanding the technical foundations of basic physical skills

The Foundational Programme is implemented throughout the Junior PE Curriculum. Whereby all Year 9 & 10 students have access to learning and applying, all exercises associated. Lead by their PE teacher

There is an additional expansion of the Foundational Programme, through the Athletic Performance Class. Whereby select students receive technical coaching services from the Heads of Code, throughout the entire year

The purpose of this tier in the framework is to expand on the previously developed knowledge, to progress into more complex skills and movement patterns.

If students have safely progressed their technical capacity in bodyweight exercises, then we slowly begin implementing learning opportunities for compound exercises. And more advanced technical game skills.

Aspects of the Development Programme are offered in the Junior PE Curriculum. Additionally, this is offered as a self-driven process which can be guided by our Head of Athletic Development, and implemented within the Rolf Porter Fitness Centre.

This tier in the framework is an Athletic Performance provision which is implemented concurrently within the weekly training schedule of our competitive sporting teams. The purpose of this is to reduce the likelihood of injury, as well as enhancing physical qualities such as Speed, Power, Strength and Conditioning.

The Competitive Programme is implemented as an early morning (6:30am) or afternoon (3:30pm) provision. Sessions are led by our Head of Athletic Development and other Sports staff, whereby we utilize the fantastic facilities on offer here at King’s. These sessions are not exclusively for First Team students. We also invite those students who are progressing through the sporting teams (U15 players, etc).

Additionally, this provision expands to off-season and summer training provisions, where appropriate.
Students are provided opportunities catered to their needs which will develop their physical literacy and competence in a safe and interactive manner. The Athletic Development programme aims to instil confidence within our students to participate in sports and general physical activity during their time at King’s and beyond. 

Key skills taught through the programme include:

• How to exercise and train correctly
• How to use gym facilities safely
• How to execute the technical foundation of fundamental skills such as catching, throwing, kicking, passing and running

Through a variety of activities, students will gain the knowledge and experience required to make responsible and intuitive decisions on their own health, fitness and wellbeing. Provisional interventions and services of the programme include:

• Practical based modules within Junior Core PE curriculum
• Passport for Life (Physical Literacy Monitoring Protocol)Athletic Performance Class (Year 9 & 10)
• Access to individualised exercise plans
• Access to a fully functioning gym facility (Rolf Porter Fitness Centre)
• Access to a high-quality Strength Gym

For additional information, current students can refer to this Schoolbox page.

Current and prospective parents as well as any other members of the community with specific queries can contact Head of Athletic Development, Craig Birkbeck: c.birkbeck@kingscollege.school.nz

Physical components
Students will focus on the following physical components:

• Development and refinement of fundamental movement skills
• Body awareness and strength development through body-weight exercises
• Development of aerobic endurance
• Introduction of basic flexibility exercises
• Running technique to allow a focus on the development of speed, agility, quickness and change of direction.

Knowledge and understanding
Students will develop an understanding and basic knowledge of the following important training concepts:

• Warm up, cool down, stretching, hydration, nutrition, sleep and recovery, wellness monitoring techniques, and basic mental strategies (sports psychology)
• Education around the use of supplements

Students only move on to this next stage of the programme once they have satisfied all of the required competencies of Step 1.

Physical components
Students will focus on the following physical components:

• Further development of speed and sport-specific skills
• Introduction to resistance training and weight lifting techniques
• Introduction to anaerobic training
• Introduction to higher volume and higher intensity training methods

Core skill development
In addition to the foundation strength and conditioning and theoretical content of the programme, students will also have the opportunity to develop their core skills and tactical awareness in the major sporting codes.

Knowledge and understanding

• An introduction to the impact of nutrition and hydration on peak performance
• Video analysis techniques and software.
• Mental preparation and techniques for success.