All late applicants are invited to pre-book a face-to-face interview session.
Adult part-time courses are still open. See Part time courses
Through our partnership with Bristol Flyers, our Basketball program has a strong track record of supporting learners to secure professional contracts with Bristol Flyers and facilitating opportunities for a number of learners to advance to scholarship opportunities in the USA. SGS Sport fields teams in both the Elite Academy Basketball League (EABL) and the AOC South West League. Our collaboration with Bristol Flyers extends to providing seamless integration, offering opportunities to compete in the Basketball England National Basketball League (NBL) and access pathways to train with the Bristol Flyers in the esteemed British Basketball League (BBL).
The Male Basketball Academy at SGS Sport offers athletes aged 16-19 a comprehensive opportunity to advance their athletic careers while studying at SGS College. Learners in the SGS Sports Academy benefit from up to 15 hours of weekly contact time, including on-court training, gym-based strength and conditioning sessions, and athlete development sessions covering psychology, nutrition, and brand awareness throughout the season. Additionally, all learners receive three individual feedback sessions annually with their coaches, focusing on academic development, personal needs, and areas for improvement.
The SGS Sport program also offers an extensive Sport Science and Medical package focused on injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. This includes strength and conditioning sessions, sports rehab, sports massage, and pitch-side first aid and matchday emergency cover at the SGS WISE Campus. Each academy benefits from two strength and conditioning sessions per week, delivered by our coaches across our two performance gyms. Additionally, a dedicated team of sports rehab professionals is available to support athletes in case of injury. We also collaborate closely with the academic sports department to provide work experience opportunities for students, including sports massage services for sports academy learners. SGS College offers a dedicated ice bath facility for student use. Furthermore, there are various placement opportunities for university-level students in sports psychology, performance analysis, and strength and conditioning. For the 2024-25 academic year, SGS College, in collaboration with the University of Gloucestershire, is launching a paid MSc studentship opportunity. These initiatives aim to develop SGS College into a centre of sporting excellence and research.
The Basketball program begins each August with an extensive pre-season period that combines on-court sessions, strength and conditioning gym and track sessions alongside team-building activities. The main program runs from September to June, with academic schedules structured to accommodate the Sports Academy offerings. During the season, training sessions are held on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons, and Friday mornings, featuring a mix of individual, squad, and unit-based sessions.
The SGS Sport Basketball games take place on Wednesday afternoons, with the 1st team competing in the EABL League against the top colleges in the country. Additionally, the second team participates in the AoC Sport Competition program against local colleges.
In addition to playing for SGS College teams on Wednesday afternoons, the close relationship with the Bristol Flyers offers athletes opportunities to progress and represent the Bristol Flyers at the Under-18 level, in the senior National Basketball League, or for elite athletes, to train and play with the Bristol Flyers in the British Basketball League.
To participate in the Basketball program at SGS College, all learners must be enrolled in a full-time academic qualification, such as Vocational qualifications or A Levels. Many learners choose to study disciplines like Sport, Sports Media, or Media at the WISE Campus, while others pursue A Levels or Business Studies at the Filton Campus. For those studying at the Filton Campus, a shuttle bus service is available to facilitate transportation to and from the WISE Campus.
Participation in the Sports Academy provision is contingent upon adherence to the SGS Sport Code of Conduct. This code outlines expectations regarding behaviour, attendance (maintained at 92% across all academic qualifications), timely submission of work, and adherence to sporting conduct standards. Compliance with these requirements ensures learners' eligibility for involvement in the Sports Academy program.
SGS College is the birthplace of the Bristol Flyers and has a longstanding relationship with the team across both the male and female pathways. The SGS WISE Arena serves as the home of the Bristol Flyers BBL squad, regularly hosting sell-out crowds who enjoy top-level British basketball at SGS College. In addition to this, the 2023-24 season saw Bristol Flyers make their European debut bringing top level European Basketball to the SGS WISE Campus for the first time in the club's history. The Bristol Flyers squad also trains at SGS College, providing elite athletes with the opportunity to combine their studies with training and playing for the BBL squad. This arrangement has benefited star athletes such as Jayden Edwards, Louis Tucker, and Callum Smart in recent years.
Additionally, SGS College operates the Bristol Flyers junior squads at the Under-12, Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18 levels, as well as the senior Men's 2nd team and Women's 1st team. This structure offers a complete basketball pathway at SGS College, enabling players to progress through the ranks and potentially play at the highest level. Moreover, there are external progression opportunities, with our coaches being well-connected to American Colleges, offering learners the chance to advance their careers outside the UK.
The Basketball program is one of the leading Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DISE) partnerships in the country and the only one in the South West. This designation enables high-performing athletes to pursue additional skills and qualifications alongside their basketball program at SGS College, further enhancing their development and opportunities within the sport. The DISE Qualification is worth an additional 64 UCAS points and is assessed through a portfolio of your student-athlete journey at the College. SGS Sport offers 6-7 places on the DISE Programme per year based on trials and references from our colleagues at Basketball England.
Over the years, numerous players from the SGS Basketball Academy have progressed through the program to represent the Bristol Flyers in the BBL, including Jayden Edwards, Callum Smart, Greg Streete, Josh Rogers, and Corey Samuels. Additionally, many SGS learners have advanced to the United States to play in the NCAA or attend junior colleges. Other athletes have gone on to represent their countries or Great Britain, such as Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye at the senior level and Louis Tucker and Callum Smart at the Under-20 level. Additionally, AJ Edu has represented the Philippines at the World Cup.
If you are looking to join our College Academy on a full time Level 1-3 course on either a BTEC or A-Level program then please apply online for the course you want below.
If it is our degree program you are interested in then please click below to see the full list of courses we offer. Then for help with applying through UCAS please email Bev Awre ([email protected]).
University Courses
-Former Hong Kong international player
-International coach and team manager
-National Championship Gold medal winning coach
-Provides expert insight into Chinese training and elite performance
-Master Degree in Sports Management and Bachelor Degree in Business Administration
Basketball Academy first team Head Coach. Head coach of Bristol Flyers Mens 2nd team and Assistant Coach for the Bristol Flyers BBL team. Many years of coaching experience including being head coach of the England U15 Boys programme.
Craig has worked in the SGS injury clinic since 2010 when he graduated from the University of the West of England with a degree in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation. Craig is responsible the sports injury clinic where, alongside 4 other therapists, he ensures sports students are receiving a good level of care for their injuries ensuring they can return to activities as quickly and safely as possible. He also oversees the strength and conditioning provision, where 3 qualified coaches support the various academies to aid physical development and team performance. Outside of the academy, Craig works with the Bristol’s only professional basketball team, the Bristol Flyers, whilst lecturing at the University of Gloucestershire. He has also completed a PhD in injury prevention in youth rugby at the University of Bath, publishing in various peer-reviewed journals.
Tom has a degree in Sport Rehabilitation and is a BASRaT registered therapist. He works in private clinical practices as well as working with Nailsea & Tickenham FC. He has now joined the sports academy team supporting the student athletes in their injury management. Tom will primarily use tailored exercise programs, but also some manual therapy techniques, to help facilitate better movement, reduce pain and, help people return to their activity stronger than they were before. Outside of work, Tom plays two instruments with a band as well as keeping fit with his main sport of swimming.
Will started working at the college in 2018 but he is also an ex-student attending the college from 2010-2012 where he studied a Level 3 BTEC in Sports performance and excellence and was a member of the American Football academy. After graduating from SGS, Will spent 6 months in Canada at a Prep school playing against some top high schools in America before coming back to study at Cardiff Metropolitan University where he graduated with a BCs (Hons) degree in Sports Conditioning, Rehabilitation and Massage. Whilst completing his degree he also interned with the Cardiff Met performance sports teams during his third year and gained experience within multiple sports.
Pip started in the sports injury clinic at SGS in 2022 after graduating from the university of Worcester with a degree in Sports Therapy, where she gained skills in sports massage, injury assessment and rehabilitation and electrotherapy modalities. Pip is also qualified in RFU accredited Pre-hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) first aid.
Outside of the college, Pip also works for National League 2 rugby team Dings Crusaders and for private clinic Top to Toe Physiotherapy in their clinics across Bristol and Bath. Pip also has experience working in the BBL and alongside university sports teams.
Dan is an experienced strength and conditioning coach working with top level athletes and individuals at all fitness levels. Having been involved developing athlete’s physical qualities in an abundance of sports, Dan has previously worked within multiple Professional Sports Clubs, National Governing Bodies, and University and College sport teams. Holding MSc Strength and Conditioning, and BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science qualifications, he is also a BASES Supervised Sport and Exercise Scientist. Dan’s strong passion and experience in sport and exercise aspires to support the student athlete to reach their true potential and help develop the strength and conditioning programme at the College.
I graduated from UWE in 2022 with a degree in Sport Rehabilitation. Additional qualifications include the RFU-accredited Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) and myofascial cupping. Alongside SGS I currently work as the Lead Academy Sports Therapist for Chippenham Town FC, and as a Sports Therapist at Philgood Rehabilitation. Previous experience includes working with UWE Sport teams (Football, Rugby, and Lacrosse) and within the UWE Injury Clinic. As well as this I spent 6 months working for Southwest Pitch-Side Trauma Care, which involved first aid support for rugby teams around Bristol. Outside of the college, I play drums in a rock band and have competed in football and kickboxing.
Max started working at the college in 2022. He completed his BSc (Hons) degree in Sports Strength and conditioning and is currently undertaking his MSc (Hons) in Spots Strength and Conditioning, from the university of Gloucestershire. Max has had experience with a multitude of different teams from Bristol Bears woman’s to Bristol City u21 woman’s yet his most recent position was with Severn Stars netball. Here he was head of the academy’s strength and conditioning programme, while also working extensively with the first team. Alongside his role within SGS he also works with the university of Gloucestershire carrying out strength and conditioning sessions for the university teams.