That’s according to the program’s head teacher Greg Hair who says students have already taken to the concept which officially got underway last month.

The Academy is the brainchild of Hair and fellow Queanbeyan High teacher Josh Sands who spent roughly six months developing the idea.

The program will cater for students with an interest in one day pursuing a career in the sports industry, both on and off the field.  

“Yes we’re aiming to help develop those who want to go on and compete and an elite level but the program is also designed to help those students who are looking at a career in the sports industry,” Hair said.

“Things like physiotherapy, personal training, nutrition, coaching; they’re all areas we are aiming to cater for and it’s just about maximising the opportunities for our students.”

The Sports Academy has been integrated into Queanbeyan High’s existing physical education curriculum.

Students can choose to take part in the Academy as an elective in order to focus on developing skills relevant to their sport or field of choice.

At present, the program is focused toward rugby league and rugby union with the school making use of ties to local sporting clubs such as the Queanbeyan Whites and the Queanbeyan Kangaroos.

The Canberra Raiders and ACT Brumbies have also thrown their weight behind the Academy concept, offering their support to help students achieve qualifications in fields such as coaching and refereeing.

But longer term Hair said the school’s aim was to integrate additional sports into the program.

“We started with rugby league and rugby union because we have those major clubs to support us here in Queanbeyan and Canberra,” he said.

“But longer term the aim is to integrate other sports into it so as to further increase the potential for students no matter where their interests lie.”

Queanbeyan principal John Clarke said the school was ultimately expecting up to 80 students to take part in the program.