The Vision Behind Academy of Sport

Former international rugby player, coach and sports educator, Mat Jones has spent much of his career finding ways to help young people get more from sport – whether that means competing, staying active, building confidence or discovering where their talents might take them.

Now, as Director of the Academy of Sport at Canadian International School (CIS), he is bringing that experience together to build something bigger: a whole-school approach to sport that gives every student the opportunity to find their place.

What is the Academy of Sport?

The Academy of Sport is an approach to sport built around three pillars: CIS Active, CIS Competitive and CIS Elite.

CIS Active is for every student. It includes Physical Education (PE) lessons, Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL), Extra-Curricular Activities (ECA), and all the other movement-based activities and events that happen throughout the school year. The aim is simple: be active, be healthy and work towards movement for life.

CIS Competitive covers school sport from 8U through to 19U. It is about being part of a team, working together and improving yourself and the people around you. Students compete in ACSIS across Singapore and, when possible, travel to international tournaments in Southeast Asia and further afield. Sport teaches communication, decision-making, resilience and how to have a positive attitude when things don't go your way.

Then there is CIS Elite. This is for students who want to compete at a higher level – whether that is regional, international or the equivalent in their chosen sport. We support them through training, nutrition, strength and conditioning and sports psychology, helping them develop from being a good sportsperson to an outstanding one.

What makes the CIS approach different?

The Academy of Sport was launched to take a more strategic approach to the development of sport at CIS; bringing greater focus, expertise and investment to the experience of every student, from participation and wellbeing through to competitive and elite pathways.

I think the difference is that we have the opportunity to mould a student’s education around sporting opportunities. Many schools tend to focus on one or the other, academics or sport, but we are working to create individualised pathways where students can be successful in both.

CIS offers pathways for gifted and talented athletes to take up customised academic programmes through the Diploma Programme (IBDP) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, providing the flexibility to balance rigorous academics with the demands of high-performance training and competition. The focus at every level is on developing confident, resilient and well-rounded young people who have the support to reach their full potential.

What can students and families look forward to this year?

There is a lot to look forward to. This year, we're introducing our new Home of the Huskies sport kits, nutrition and strength and conditioning workshops, and Friday Night Lights – our first, biggest, celebration of sport and school spirit. We're also developing new partnerships with external academies, which will be based at CIS to provide additional opportunities for training and gameplay.

We're exploring international tournaments for 19U, with the ambition to extend these opportunities to other age groups in the future. What’s particularly exciting is that we're starting to put the structures, partnerships and pathways around the Academy that will allow it to continue to grow.

And ultimately, what does success look like?

For me, success starts with an increase in the number of students playing sports. Ideally, every student would play at least one sport for at least one season. 

The benefits of sport go way beyond the physical side. It’s about friendships, teamwork, having fun, learning how to win and lose, and then learning from both. It teaches you a lot about yourself and about working with other people. So, for me, success is also about creating more opportunities for students at every age and level.

Then, of course, there’s performance. We want to give students who want to compete the opportunity to get better, and those who have the talent and ambition to really push themselves. 

I want the Academy of Sport to become the best sporting international school in Singapore. Aim big!

Thank you, Mat, for sharing your vision for the Academy of Sport and the exciting opportunities ahead.