The main benefits for the children taking part in the Bees Academy activities include improvements to their:
- all-round athleticism
- attention span
- listening skills
- motor skills
- balance
- flexibility
- fitness levels
- confidence
- coordination
- respect for others
Because the ratio of coaches to children is kept to a relatively low level, it allows the coaches to focus better on the youngsters and this hopefully will allow the children to develop their skills better. From our perspective this gives us the situation where the athletes get a good grounding of all events which will stand them in good stead later in their sporting career, and ultimately a much better standard of athletes coming into mainstream athletics (or some other sport).
We adopt a structured approach to training in that children will be taken through a programme appropriate to their development. The progress of athletes, in particular the Under 13+ age-group (school years 6, 7 & 8), will be monitored closely.
In addition, Bees Academy membership entitles you to a reduced first year membership fee to join Blackheath & Bromley Harriers AC. currently £25; this includes the England Athletics annual levy. This will allow the child to compete for the club whilst still attending the Bees Academy.