Dr. Roy Wilson Learning Centre basketball institute in the gymnasium

By Lisa Parent

Dr. Roy Wilson Learning Centre champions student-centric programs

Nov 6, 2023 | 4:48 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Numerous school boards are implementing specialized sports academies to align with student interests. Prairie Rose Public Schools, for instance, established the South Alberta Hockey Academy. A similar trend is now emerging in Medicine Hat Public Schools.

At Dr. Roy Wilson Learning Centre, basketball is evolving from a mandatory gym class module to a more intensive daily training session, now available as a class choice for seventh, eighth, and ninth-grade students.

The program is supervised by grade eight teacher Bryce Henderson.

“It just kind of shakes up your everyday mundane, boring, class to class,” says Henderson. “It gives kids something to look forward to, and build other skills that they can hopefully outside of school, when they’re adults, continue pursuing these activities.”

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Some students joined as complete basketball beginners, hoping to explore new interests. Others, like grade nine students Susan and Zaide, joined as a way to strengthen their already existing skills.

“I told my parents that I wanted something to push me to be better and that I thought basketball institute would help me do that,” explains student Susan.

“I’ve improved mentally lots because Mr. Henderson, he’s the coach and he’s really good at basketball and knows what he’s talking about,” says Zaide.

Volleyball and sports performance are the two other institutes available at the school. Principal Todd Samuelson says that he closely consulted with both students and teachers during the creation of these programs.

“Schools need to be responsive to the needs of the students. And so as long as there’s an interest and as long as students are enjoying the classes and teachers are teaching them, we’ll continue on that pathway,” says Samuelson.

Like other academies and school programs around Medicine Hat, this one aims to empower students in their learning.

“Just overall we want life-long athletes,” says Henderson. “We want kids just to be able to play sports, be active, and engage in those healthy social situations.”