Developing athletes at BGS The benefits of physical activity for adolescents are well documented, improving physical and emotional health and wellbeing, academic outcomes, athletic development and sporting performances. An athletic development program for BGS was initially investigated in 2006 and within a year several initiatives were introduced to support senior boys preparing for in-season GPS sports. In 2008 the Athletic Development Program (ADP) was formally introduced at the School. Director of Sport Ron Cochrane said the introduction of the ADP was consistent with BGS’ ethos to be a leader in areas of education, curriculum, technology and facility development with the program striving to be relevant, progressive and innovative. “The Athletic Development Program at BGS demonstrated a clear progression to improved sport, health, physical fitness and endeavour throughout the BGS journey and beyond,” he said. “Since its introduction, the program has continued to evolve and strengthen, weaving its way through the curriculum, extracurricular activities, staff and community.” Director of Athletic Development Jamie Youngson said the scope for the ADP had expanded to now offer specialist coaches providing a wide variety of services and programs to students from all year levels. “There are currently six athletic development coaches working across BGS sports, bringing with them a wealth of experience in performance and elite sport settings,” he said. The ADP contributed to the back-to-back GPS success of the BGS cross country and swimming teams. It also helped BGS weightlifting claim the Queensland Weightlifting All Schools Championship last year. BGS Director of Swim Coaching David Lush, who also coaches Olympic level swimmers, said for senior students the ADP optimised their physical development and athletic qualities. “In Years 11 and 12, the ADP becomes a component of the core physical education curriculum,” he said. Within the swimming program, students engage in two ADP lessons per week. The first lesson is practical and focuses on a biomechanical analysis of students’ swimming strokes by a performance scientist at the Queensland Academy of Sport. The second lesson is theoretical and fast-tracks students through the Swimming Australia level one coaching accreditation curriculum. Students learn the rationale for their own exercise prescription, and teachers identify and upskill future Old Boy coaches. The ADP and Physical Education programs at BGS have been using reflective practice, one of the core values of Effective Thinking Cultures, before the new teaching framework was formally developed at the School.
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