Receive first class support with our intensive elite programmes for gifted sportspeople. You’ll receive specialist training, coaching, the opportunity to compete in college level sports, and chance to apply for university sport scholarships.
The NewVIc Sports Academy provides free intensive elite programmes for talented sportspeople. Alongside a full time curriculum programme, members of the Elite Sport Academies receive over professional training and coaching, the opportunity to compete in college level sports, and chance to apply for university sport scholarships.
Our elite programmes include:
Men’s Basketball Academy
Sports Leadership Academy
Students who are gifted and talented in sports and not accepted into an elite academy are often given support on an individual basis dependent upon their need. This could include help with the costs of specific equipment required to compete at elite level or transport costs to national level competitions.
We aim to enhance the quality and level of sporting achievement of all individuals and teams; encouraging and supporting students who want to play, coach, lead and officiate sport from recreational to elite level.
We offer talented 16-19 year olds the opportunity to play elite level college basketball.
We compete against the best in London in the Association of Colleges Sport (AoC Sport) London Premier league, with aspirations of returning to the Basketball England College Basketball League (CBL).
Get a first-class education with the top college in London, supporting progression to university whilst being part of this the Newham Knights Basketball Academy programme.
We select up to 20 players each year, who show ambition to achieve excellence in basketball, with a potential to pursue a sporting career, whilst maintaining high academic standards.
You will receive:
a minimum of 12 hours of Basketball Academy contact time per week
classroom-based video analysis sessions
individual skill development sessions
additional holiday training camps and scrimmages
NBL Division One standard facilities
elite fitness training equipment
links to Jnr. NBL playing opportunities
pathways to elite senior basketball with links to numerous development and elite basketball clubs in the UK
opportunity to complete NGB qualifications in coaching and officiating
exploration of university scholarship routes in the UK and overseas
Newham Knights’ Head Coach is Barney Blake (Basketball & Enrichment Officer), who brings to the Knights programme numerous years of coaching experience throughout the elite Talent Pathway. Coach Blake is a former Head Coach of the England youth national teams, with experience working with Great Britain national teams at European Championships. He was named West Midlands Children’s Coach of the Year 2024 by Basketball England, previously won a Dynamik Schools National Cup with HTS Storm Basketball Academy, and is a current member of the London Aspire Programme coaching staff.
Upon joining the Knights for the 2025/26 academic year, Coach Blake said: “I’m thrilled to bring all my experience with Academy, Regional, and National Teams to impact the Knights programme. I’ve had some great opportunities and mentors in the game this far, so I’m keen to take every opportunity that coaching in London brings.”
Newham Knights are also supported by Basketball Academy graduate Coach Edgaras Markunas who is now the Enrichment & Sports Assistant at Newham College London.
We provide high quality training and development for students who are committed to sports volunteering or coaching and intend to pursue a career in sport.
Develop your coaching and officiating skills in a community setting and receive nationally recognised qualifications and awards. Members will be required to complete over 14 hours of voluntary sports coaching across community organisations, children’s activities and coaching disabled sports people. Through this programme you will be supported in applying for paid coaching roles with a number of our partner organisations.
You will receive:
coaching placements and volunteer experiences
opportunities to engage with community clubs and partner schools
weekly group mentoring
rewards for your support of the college and community sport
The Sports Coach UK Safeguarding & Protecting Children course
The Sports Coach UK How to Coach Disabled Sports People course
The Higher Sports Leaders UK Level 3 Award (carries an additional 16 UCAS points)
