Academy of Sport
Unlocking every student's potential through sport
At Canadian International School (CIS) Singapore, we believe sport is about much more than winning games. It is a powerful platform for building confidence, resilience, leadership, teamwork and lifelong healthy habits.
The Academy of Sport (AOS) is our comprehensive sports development programme that supports students from Grade 3 through U19, helping every student discover their potential—whether they are trying a sport for the first time or preparing for elite-level competition.
With over 1,200 student athletes participating annually, CIS has one of the largest and most comprehensive international school sports programmes in Singapore.
Sports offered
The Academy of Sport supports students across a wide variety of competitive and recreational sports.
Students can participate in:
- Basketball
- Football
- Swimming
- Volleyball
- Rugby
- Touch Rugby
- Netball
- Badminton
- Cross Country
- Track & Field
- Golf
- Ultimate Frisbee
Students are encouraged to experience multiple sports throughout the year, helping them build confidence, coordination and transferable athletic skills.
A whole-school approach to sport
The Academy of Sport creates clear pathways, structured development and strong connections between participation, performance and wellbeing.
Sport is not treated as something separate from school life, it is woven into the broader student experience.
It works alongside:
- Physical Education (PE)
- ECAs and recreational sport
- Competitive school teams
- Athlete development programmes
- Strength and conditioning support
- Student wellbeing initiatives
The goal is simple: to create an environment where students feel motivated to stay active, try new things and continue developing over time.
What makes AOS different
A clear pathway for students
One of the biggest challenges in school sports can be knowing what comes next.
The Academy of Sport creates a clear pathway from Primary through to Varsity-level competition so students can continue progressing as they grow.
The programme is designed to:
- Encourage wide participation across all year levels
- Help students build confidence
- Support long-term athletic development
- Create opportunities for both recreational and competitive athletes
- Offer progression for students with high-performance ambitions
Every student has a place within the Academy of Sport.
More training opportunities
Students improve when they have consistent opportunities to train, compete and learn.
The Academy of Sport provides structured weekly training across both Primary and Secondary school.
Primary programme
- 1–2 training sessions each week
- Foundational movement and skill development
- Confidence-building through participation
- Early exposure to team sport and competition
Secondary programme
- 2–3 training sessions each week
- Tactical and technical development
- Competition preparation
- Strength and conditioning integration
The focus is not only on performance, but also enjoyment, consistency and long-term growth.
Home of the Huskies
Competitive school sport through ACSIS
Canadian International School is proud to compete in the Athletic Conference of Singapore International Schools (ACSIS).
Students regularly compete against 35 leading international schools throughout Singapore.
This creates regular opportunities for students to:
- Compete against other international schools
- Explore new sports
- Develop resilience and sportsmanship
- Experience different levels of competition
- Continue progressing throughout the year
Depending on participation and sign-ups, CIS may field close to 140 teams annually.
Supporting the whole student athlete
Strong athletic programmes look beyond results.
The Academy of Sport is designed to support the student through programmes that focus on wellbeing, recovery, confidence and healthy performance habits.
Alongside team training, students may benefit from:
- Strength and conditioning support
- Athlete wellbeing initiatives
- Recovery and injury-prevention education
- Nutrition and sports psychology workshops
- Individual support for scholarship and high-performance athletes
CIS also develops various support systems around:
- College and university athletic pathways
- Connections with external clubs and organisations
- Alternative sporting pathways beyond school competition
The aim is to help students develop healthy habits and positive relationships with sport that continue well beyond school.
Outstanding sports facilities
Students train in world-class sporting facilities designed to support athletes at every level.
Facilities include:
- Olympic-sized 50m swimming pool
- Covered heated 25m training pool
- Competition football field
- Three indoor gymnasiums
- Fully equipped fitness gym
- Four tennis courts
- Four pickleball courts
- Outdoor basketball court
- Futsal field
These outstanding facilities enable students to train year-round in a safe and professional environment.
Swimming programme at CIS
One of Singapore's Leading School Swim Programmes
Swimming is one of the Academy of Sport's flagship programmes.
Students can progress through every stage of competitive swimming.
Swim programme pathway
- Learn to Swim Programme
- Pre-Competitive Squad
- Entry-Level Competitive Squad
- Performance Squad
Students can access opportunities ranging from:
- Intra-club/school meets
- Friendly competitions
- ACSIS events
- National qualifying championships
- International travel meets
Training is available before school, after school and during weekends.
Performance athletes may access up to seven training sessions each week, alongside gym training, recovery guidance and nutritional support.
The CIS Swim Team is officially recognised by both the Singapore Swimming Association (SSA) and ACSIS.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Academy of Sport provide beyond PE, ECAs and school teams?
The Academy of Sport expands the opportunities available to students beyond regular school sport.
This may include:
- More competitive opportunities
- Expanded fixtures and tournaments
- Structured athlete development pathways
- Strength and conditioning support
- Nutrition and sports psychology workshops
- Individual development support
- Scholarship athlete guidance
- University and college pathway support
- Connections with external clubs and sporting organisations
Who is the Academy of Sport designed for?
The Academy of Sport is designed for any student interested in sport or physical activity.
That includes:
- Beginners trying something new
- Students wanting to stay active and healthy
- Developing athletes looking to improve
- Competitive athletes pursuing higher-level goals
CIS believes sport should be accessible, inclusive and meaningful for every student.
Does CIS support both beginner and elite athletes?
Yes.
The Academy of Sport is designed to support students across all stages of participation and performance.
Some students may simply want to enjoy sport and build confidence. Others may aim to compete at a very high level.
The programme aims to support both journeys.
How many sporting opportunities are available throughout the year?
Sport at CIS runs throughout the academic year across ACSIS seasons, fixtures, tournaments and training programmes.
ACSIS seasons typically run for approximately 10–12 weeks each.
Students are encouraged to participate in multiple sports throughout the year to support:
- Long-term athletic development
- Skill diversification
- Confidence and resilience
- Broader sporting exposure
Depending on participation levels, CIS may field approximately 140 teams annually.
What sports are included in the Academy of Sport?
Sports currently include:
- Football
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Netball
- Rugby
- Touch Rugby
- Badminton
- Swimming
- Cross Country
- Track & Field
- Golf
- Ultimate Frisbee
What makes the CIS athletics program unique?
With over 1,200 student-athletes and 400+ games and events each year, CIS offers one of the most comprehensive school sports programs in the region. We provide year-round athletic opportunities across all age divisions, combining regular weekly training with competitive match play.
How many competitive teams can students join?
We currently field 80+ competitive teams during active seasons, with potential growth to around 140 teams annually across Primary and Secondary divisions.
Is the CIS Swim Team officially recognised?
Yes. The CIS Swim Team is officially recognised as both:
- A registered swimming club with the Singapore Swimming Association (SSA)
- An official school team within ACSIS (Athletic Conference of Singapore International Schools)
Through our affiliation with the SSA, qualifying swimmers have the opportunity to compete in recognised national and international swimming competitions.
Have CIS swimmers achieved success at national and international levels?
Yes. CIS has a proud history of developing talented swimmers who have gone on to achieve outstanding success.
Notable CIS swim alumni include:
- Lanihei C. – Represented her country at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
- Ivan M. – Singapore Age Group medallist and ACSIS gold medallist
- Leopold N. – Nationally ranked in the United States for the 1,500m freestyle and open water swimming
These achievements reflect the strength of the CIS swimming programme and its commitment to supporting student-athletes at every stage of their development.
How much does training cost?
For school teams, its free of charge with the exception of golf who train at Sentosa Golf club. The cost of this is $1200 per season per student. It is currently capped at 8 students per season but will be looking to extend should there be a demand for it.
Do I need to try out?
In short, yes. All teams are selected after a try out. However, should a student miss a tryout due to medical reasons, they will be given an option to attend a practice and have the opportunity to se that as the try out instead. This must be communicated in advance and not just turn up.
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