Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
THE new community sports and arts academy being set up at St Christopher’s School will be called Sparta and launched in the New Year.
January will see the opening of the school’s new indoor swimming pool following a BD450,000 investment at its Saar site.
And more activities for both children and adults will be added to the Sparta initiative with an open day to unveil the plans staged on January 12.
Academy director Gareth Holloway, an international middle-distance runner, former professional footballer and minor counties cricket player, will have a team of coaches under his wing ready for action.
He said: “I think it is important to open up to the community because the more opportunities for children and adults to participate in sport and other activities the better it is to enhance learning and physical development.
“The state-of-the-art facilities we now have are an important factor in our delivery. The new pool building includes a dance studio, multi-purpose gym, offers all-year-round swimming in an enclosed environment and a multi-purpose activity room.
“We also have a sports hall, track, three-lane professional cricket nets, classrooms, meeting rooms and plush changing facilities.
“I think we offer a wide range of facilities where we can cater for most needs – other facilities around Bahrain may specialise in a few sports, or specialise in just one area. I think choice is a good thing for the island.”
The Sparta logo has been designed by a parent with specialist skills and the name forms a combination of Sports and Arts Academy (of St Christopher’s).
The plume above the S is an acknowledgement to the ancient Spartan army headdress. The T takes its influence from the mast of the St Christopher’s logo.
The school recently boasted two ‘outstanding’ inspections by independent educational bodies and Principal Ed Goodwin believes the Sparta initiative has been a ‘really exciting’ natural progression.
Mr Goodwin added: “It allows us to extend our very extensive, extra-curricular programme – which runs after school and during lunch-times – into new areas. In some cases pupils will simply choose to take more of what they like; football, for example. Other pupils will be able to experience new sports and activities.
“Some of our Sparta courses are for adults and this is part of St Christopher’s intention to bring the community more into the school. Over time we will continue to increase the diversity of the Sparta programme, but the aim will be always to offer high-quality in all that we do.”
He praised infant school head teacher Ian Fellows and Mr Holloway saying they had done ‘a marvellous job’ in the run-up to the launch of Sparta and this ‘augurs extremely well’ for a bright and vibrant future for the venture.
A comprehensive ‘learn to swim’ programme will be one of the first items on the agenda which will provide a massive boost to the Bahraini community, too often stricken by the unnecessary deaths of children in pool and sea swimming tragedies as soon as the weather warms up.
Coaching will also be available for all ages for rugby, athletics, football, cricket, tennis and fitness with 10-week courses with varying prices starting from BD55.
Football courses have already started with girls and boys training midweek and playing matches on Saturdays.
Mr Holloway said: “We will try to provide a programme for families too where the children can join a club as mum or dad take part in an adult fitness class at the same time, for example.”
The school believes Sparta will be inclusive yet powerful – ‘an academy to which anyone would be proud to belong with excellence always on the agenda’.
Sparta, by its very name, will have a competitive spirit but with a friendly ambience. Children and adults will be encouraged to achieve but within an inclusive environment.
The initiative has already received a commercial boost with Euro Motors signing up as exclusive partners and sponsors for an undisclosed sum. The school says all financial support will be invested in the development of the Sparta brand.
General manager Paul Yates said: “Sparta’s contribution to the community is in line with one of Euro Motors’ major core values, supporting the community by way of enhancing knowledge and developing new skill sets, thus when the opportunity arose to support Sparta, it was an obvious choice for us.”
For more details on the January 12 open day which will include sports demonstrations and tours of the facilities contact Mr Holloway on 39974654, visit www.sparta-bh.com or email SpartaBookings@st-chris.net or SpartaEnquiries@st-chris.net
