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The ASAD Durham campus is located at the Abilities Centre in Whitby, ON.
The Abilities Centre is a 125,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility that offers sports, fitness, arts and life skills programming, as well as research and education opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. 

ASAD student-athletes also train at the Iroquois Park Sports Complex and the Whitby Dome

Academics

  • ASAD Durham Academic Delivery
    • ASAD Durham is partnered with the Durham District School Board and Durham Catholic District School Board to deliver academic programming.   
    • The Academy for Student Athlete Development works in partnership with local schools boards to integrate sport specific high-performance training directly into the student-athlete's timetable, creating a balanced school day for each individual.  
    • Individualized classroom support and flexible schedule to support competition schedule.

     

  • Semester snapshot
    • Academic credit and Personal Fitness Credit. ASAD and Home School Guidance Counsellors collaborate on course selection to build student timetables accordingly. Pathway to graduate with 30 credits in four years. Students remain active members of their home school community
  • Meet the Teachers
    • DDSB – Kevin Bagshaw, Ian Mcnee, Ben Walker
    • DCDSB – Thommas Plommer

Athletics

  • Technical Sport Streams
    • ASAD Durham currently offers the following technical sport streams:
    • Hockey
    • Soccer
    • Rugby


    Technical sport streams require a minimum number of 8 athletes and is based on registration each year.
     
    Student-athletes will participate in two 75 min technical sessions and two-three 75 min strength and conditioning sessions per week with a qualified coach.

    The purpose of technical training is to build a solid foundation of skill development to prepare athletes for competition at the next level (eg. post-secondary, provincial/national team)

    The focus is on individual skill development and enhance tactical game play and understanding in order to build self-reliant athletes
     
    Over 85+ Strength and Conditioning sessions - Over 70+ Sport Technical Sessions
     
    Coached and delivered by experts in the Canadian Sport System

  • Individual Athlete Development Stream

    Designed for individual sport athletes or sports that do not have a dedicated technical stream, such as swimming, figure skating, track, lacrosse, baseball and race car driving and much more 

    Student-athletes will participate in four - five 75 min strength and conditioning sessions per week with a qualified coach. 

    Individual athletes engage in a variety of sessions including strength, flexibility, mobility, speed, etc.
     
    IAD athletes attend ASAD for the afternoon (PM) session

  • Meet the coaches
    Soccer: Colin Hoey

    Colin’s certifications include Canada soccer’s license, youth license, and B license. Colin currently is coaching with the Pickering FC and in the Ontario Player Development League (OPDL) and League.

    Rugby: Paul Connelly

    Paul has an extensive coaching resume. Paul has retired from teaching where he spent most of his career at Uxbridge high school. He coaches the Oshawa Vikings Men’s Team and coaches the men’s rugby team at Durham college. Coach ‘Con’ has assisted over 200 young rugby players with their goal to reach provincial and national honours.

    Hockey: Ben Davis

    Ben Davis is the founder,president and director of all hockey operations at HYPERFIT HOCKEY. Ben was a professional hockey player in Germany and Italy. He is a multiple record holder in the OJHL and has a number achievements. Ben has coach many youth to high levels of hockey and success. 

    Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach: Dylan Parson

    Dylan is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Dylan has a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and a diploma in Fitness and Health Promotion. Dylan is a rugby player himself, competing with the Oshawa Vikings Men’s Rugby team.

  • Integrated Support Teams (IST)
    What is IST

    ASAD leverages nationally and globally recognized experts in the delivery of Integrated Support Team sessions, ensuring optimal academic, athletic, and psychosocial benefits for participating athletes. Our integrated support team consists of Mental Performance Practitioners, Nutrition Specialists, Injury Management, Post Secondary Education, Guest Athlete’s/Coaches .. and much more

    Mental Performance

    These sessions include lecture topics such as goal setting, motivation and intensity, self-awareness and more. These sessions also include practical exercises such as journalling, meditation, visualization etc.
    Coach: Ben Coates

    Nutrition

    These sessions include lecture topics such as defining and measuring energy, pre competition fueling, macronutrients, hydration .. and more! These sessions also include practical experience such as making recipes, grocery shopping, etc.
    Coach: Colin Hoey

Admissions

  • Admission Process

     
    Step 1: Email to express your interest. (Sept. – Dec.)
    asadadmissions@abilitiescentre.org
    You will be added to an email list and will be invited to ASAD events.
    (information sessions and day in the life)

    Step 2: Information Session/Day in the Life (Nov. – Feb.)        
    It is recommended for all applicants, plus at least one parent or guardian to be present at the information night. The nature of the program involves coordinating many aspects of the student-athletes life both academically and athletically. With a strong understanding of the program, athletes and families can make the best decision. The information session will provide an insight into the program (schedule, facility, staff/coach bios, financial terms, etc). If a parent/guardian is unavailable to attend the info night, we recommend that they schedule a time to come in and meet with the staff before the application deadline.

    Day in the Life - Students will participate in a technical or S&C session, meet the staff and current students, and tour the facility. The ASAD coach will evaluate and provide feedback on your fit in the program. This will act as an “evaluation” (try out). Group day in the life opportunity or individual session. 


    Step 3: Submit application. (Feb. – Mar.)

    Step 4: Attend a “Day in the life” (Mar. – Apr.)
    This will act as an “evaluation” (try out), meet the coach/current students.
    Athletes, parents and coaches are always welcome and strongly encouraged to observe our training program firsthand before applying. Please set up an appointment with the staff on the campus you are interested in.

    Step 5: Offers sent – registration. (end of April)
     The admission process takes into consideration the applicant’s:
    • athletic achievement
    • athletic character, attitude and work ethic (coach references will be taken into consideration)
    • academic character, attitude and work ethic (academic references will be taken into consideration)

    While applicants are strongly weighted towards athletic achievement as per our program’s mandate, we will also be taking into consideration the other essential elements of the applicant’s overall character and what that individual brings to the program. We are looking for student-athletes who will contribute positively to the CSS program and daily environment.

  • Is there a fee to apply?

    There is no fee to apply to the program and encourage families to attend an information session ahead of completing an application. 

    Check the schedule for upcoming information sessions 
    Information sessions

  • Enrollment Fees

    As a charitable non-profit organization, Abilities Centre relies on our standardized program fees to continue to deliver the highest quality ASAD experience to our student athletes, remove barriers to participation, and to support our charitable mission of building more inclusive communities.
    You have the opportunity to attend ASAD for the full year or for one semester (1st or 2nd):

    • Full year (two semesters) of programming, the enrollment fee ranges from $5000 - $7000 per year, depending on the sport stream.
    • One semester of programming (1st or 2nd Semester), the enrollment fee ranges from $3000 - $4000, depending on the sport stream.

    ASAD is a fee for service model and all costs are to recover program expenses.
    We recognize that some families face financial challenges to enrolling their child in sports and recreation programs, and we believe that every student athlete should have the opportunity to pursue their academic and athletic goals. We are proud to offer the Academy Assistance Program to provide additional financial support to reduce program fees for eligible student athletes who have the greatest financial need and who, without this support, would not be afforded the chance to take part in ASAD.   
     

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