John Madejski Academy has a special relationship with basketball thanks to our close connection with Reading Rockets.

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Ever since 2013 our performance basketball programme allows talented basketball players to refine their skills, benefiting from professional-level coaching, while continuing to balance their academic studies.

We offer promising student athletes the chance to improve themselves in the classroom, on the court, around the school and around their peers.

Our performance programme is designed to provide extra support and opportunities to young basketball players who show promise and commitment to their sport. We ensure the students receive the very best coaching and training for their age and stage.

Led by our Head Coach Samit Nuruzade, our Elite Boys compete in the prestigious EABL (Elite Academies Basketball League) where only the top 14 academies in the country are represented. Our girls team plays in the WEABL competition and is growing its reputation each year.

Year on year, JMA is proud to say that many of our student athletes receive excellent university offers for both male and female athletes from universities in the UK and USA and are incredibly proud of the academic prowess of some of our finest students.

Aimed at students from Years 7-13, the programme allows young people to develop their skills and techniques during and outside school hours, while making sure they continue to progress well academically. This gives them a great start on the road to becoming a dedicated and focused athlete.

John Madejski Academy is the only school in Berkshire with a performance basketball programme for students across all year groups.

To be considered for the programme, students must already be recognised as committed and talented players within their own year group, with the potential to go to a high level. If they are already studying at JMA, they will likely be members of the Rockets programme.

As a school with a very healthy reputation across our performance sports (football and basketball), we have very high expectations of our elite students, in the classroom as well as on the court.

We review their all-round performance every six weeks. This includes a formal review from the players' club and school coaches as well as seeking feedback from their teachers.

Our coaches support all our athletes through weekly sports report checks (Years 7-11) and Attitude towards learning monitoring (Year 12 and 13).

At JMA, we expect our basketball students to have an exceptional attendance record and to display a positive attitude around the Academy, including towards staff and other students.

These high expectations have already shown positive results, with several of our top basketball students achieving far higher GCSE grades than predicted.

To reward them for their hard work and dedication, basketball students will often have the opportunity to attend basketball-related school trips.

The students receive personal mentoring from our Head of Youth Academy Charlie Haynes and Matt Johnson, Director of Basketball, including help with career planning and personal development. They receive an updated timetable at the beginning of each term, which includes their personal development sessions.

Our links to the Reading Rockets give our students an opportunity to talk to older players, with valuable life lessons and experience to help them understand the discipline and dedication needed to create opportunities in their life similar to that of a full-time professional basketball player.

Students are only considered if their behaviour, schoolwork and attitude are of the right level to be a JMA Student athlete.

Our experienced sports teachers aim to spot promising basketball players at the school as early as possible so we can provide the support they need to excel.

We also welcome exceptional basketball players to join us from other schools from as early as Year 6. To be considered players should be at club level, National League standard or be recognised at their own school as gifted and talented. Our coaches will go out to visit promising candidates at their current school or club to assess their ability and offer advice and guidance.

Players can join the Academy up to Year 10 or in Year 12 for our sixth form programme.

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To find out more or arrange a trial, please contact M Johnson: 
mjohnson@johnmadejskiacademy.co.uk