“We’ve had a challenging time getting all of the required bits and pieces together to finalise the application process due to the construction not being completed at the Bethlehem Community Church Centre that UWSA will be based out of,” says Caroline Dafoe, United World Sports Academy managing director.

“We have had to revamp our approach and the academy’s programmes will now launch for Term 2 on April 30.”

The new programme will provide sports training with high-performance coaches, alongside a learning centre for student athletes who will have to get a ‘sports exemption’ and enrol in a home-based learning programme or correspondence courses of their choice.

UWSA then will assist with tutoring for the students, providing them with qualified teachers to assist them with their academic studies.

The sports academy is now a member of the NZ Tutoring Association and will complete its Ministry of Education application process for approval as a private school once the construction is completed and the necessary inspections can be finalised, says Caroline.

“In the meantime, we have seen tremendous interest in our academy, especially our sport karate, competitive swimming, and surf lifesaving programmes, as well as tremendous interest in the snowboarding and winter sports programmes being launched in the South Island for 2019. We are also working out our programme for basketball.

“Many of our programmes allow tremendous potential for students to acquire scholarships while getting their university education once they have graduated college.

“It’s pretty exciting being part of UWSA at the moment, seeing all the pieces coming together for education, sports training and student development. UWSA and the Sports Education Trust wishes to thank BarterCard and Tauranga Chamber of Commerce members for their tremendous support,” says Caroline.