Sports Academy
Queens' Sports Academy gives talented students the chance to pursue their sporting ambition while also completing a full-time academic curriculum. We aim to give students the balance they need to achieve success across the board. That's why all training and competing will be scheduled so it doesn't clash with your formal studies.
The Academy is committed to providing elite training, support, guidance, coaching and competitions.
Facilities
Students will benefit from impressive facilities, including double indoor basketball courts and a fully-equipped strength and conditioning studio. There are also 12 all-weather football pitches, a floodlit hard-court area with four tennis courts, three netball courts and a basketball court.
Student Benefits
Students will benefit from:
- Regular coaching and mentoring
- Weekly training and coaching sessions
- Strength and conditioning
- Physio
- Competition: Local, Regional, County and National
Eligibility
To be eligible to be part of the Sports Academy, you must:
- Be aged 16-19 (Post-16 Education)
- Be enrolled on a full-time study programme at Queens' School
- Attend and pass trials (September of each academic year)
- Pass an interview
Sports Academies
- Boys Basketball
- Girls Football in conjunction with WLFC
- Netball - coming soon
- Rugby - coming soon
Football Academy
Our Football Academy is in partnership with Watford Ladies Football Club and aims to nurture and develop the sporting talents of aspiring athletes.
Student-athletes will have access to the following:
- Professional coaching by qualified and experienced coaches
- Team and individual positional training sessions
- Football-specific fitness sessions
- High-level competition
- Strength and conditioning programme
- Access to a fully qualified physiotherapist
- Match kit
- Team & individual photos
Daniele Denyer - Girls Football Head Coach
Basketball Academy
Our Basketball Academy is in partnership with Herts Warriors and aims to nurture and develop the sporting talents of aspiring athletes.
Student-athletes will have access to the following:
- Professional coaching by qualified and experienced coaches
- Team and individual positional training sessions
- Basketball-specific fitness sessions
- High-level competitions
- Strength and conditioning gym programme developed for each individual player
- Nutrition plan and guidance
- Access to a fully qualified sports physiotherapist
- Match kit
- End-of-season international tour
- Team & individual photos
Derek Mckintosh - Academy Head Coach
Boys Football Academy
JOASH NEMBHARD — HEAD OF ACADEMY
Joash Nembhard is the Head of Academy at Queens Boys Football Academy, bringing together experience from both the professional and non-league game with a strong background in player development and coaching. As a player, Joash developed through the professional game before gaining valuable experience across a number of clubs, including The New Saints, Cefn Druids, Sutton United, Hemel Hempstead Town, Havant & Waterlooville, Dartford and Enfield Town. Alongside his playing career, Joash has developed his coaching experience working with academy and grassroots players and is a Lead Coach with LJ121, a professional private football training company specialising in individual and small-group player development. His role at Queens is centred around creating a high-performance environment, supporting the development of players both on and off the pitch, and helping provide a clear pathway for players looking to progress within the game.
LUKE JONES — LEAD COACH
Luke Jones is a Lead Coach at Queens Boys Football Academy and brings extensive experience from both the academy and private football development environments. Luke came through the Watford Academy pathway, progressing through to Under-16 level, giving him an early understanding of the demands and standards required within a professional academy environment. He is also the Owner and Founder of LJ121, a leading private football training company which has been established for 10 years and works with players ranging from grassroots and academy level through to professional football. Luke is a UEFA-qualified coach with extensive experience working with professional players and academy players, and his work through LJ121 focuses heavily on technical development, individual player development and helping players maximise their potential.
FINLEY GAYWOOD — ASSISTANT COACH
Finley Gaywood is an Assistant Coach at Queens Boys Football Academy, bringing a valuable playing and coaching perspective to the programme. Finley spent time in America competing within a NCAA Division II college football programme, gaining experience of a different football environment while continuing his own development as a player. Having now returned to the UK, Finley is focused on progressing his coaching career and gaining further experience within a high-performance academy environment. He is also part of the LJ121 coaching team as a Technical Coach, where he works closely with players to develop their technical ability, confidence and understanding of the game. At Queens, Finley supports the delivery of sessions and the wider development of the academy players.