23 Sep 2024
Aspire Academy has held its annual First Parents’ Induction Meeting as the start of the 2024-25 academic year continues to get underway.
A total of 77 new student-athletes have begun their journey at Aspire Academy after the term officially started on Sunday, 1 September.
The First Parents’ Induction Meeting offered new parents a chance to learn more about how the Academy functions and to introduce the various departments that will work together to support their sons in the coming years.
It also enabled the parents of existing student-athletes to hear about the plans for the year ahead.
Aspire Academy Director General Ivan Bravo welcomed everyone via video message before a panel of five staff members addressed the parents, teachers, coaches, and student-athletes.
“This academy is now becoming a truly global institution that everybody around the world and in Qatar recognises as one of the best sports academies in the world,” he pointed out.
“That's thanks to the commitment and work of you, the student-athletes, the coaches, the teachers, and everybody at Aspire Academy.”
“Thanks to the families of the student-athletes, who have trusted us with the development and education of the most important thing in their lives: their children.”
"We are growing and still as ambitious as ever and still getting as many talented student-athletes as ever. It's a tremendous joy and a tremendous pride.”
“My best wishes to everybody for the year ahead, and I look forward to seeing each and every one of you at our wonderful place called Aspire Academy.”
The Football Department was represented by Football Administration Deputy Director Esmael Abdulghani, Team Coordinator Ahmed Mohammed Allahuri from the Sports Department, Dr Mauricio Monaco of the Aspire Academy Sports Medicine Centre, Daniele Bonanno from the Football Performance while School Principal Jassem Al Jaber was there for the Education and Student Affairs Department.
All of them reiterated the importance of the cooperation and support needed between the Academy and the parents for the student-athletes to flourish and develop to their full potential.
The parents learnt how the school and the sports departments work very closely so that the student-athletes can balance their academic and sporting development at all times, including during training camps.
Principal Jassem Al Jaber highlighted that there is a wide variety of assistance available at all times for any student-athletes who have any difficulties in any area of their lives.
He also welcomed and congratulated the latest intake of student-athletes, who are set to train across seven different sporting disciplines as they bid to emulate Aspire Academy’s legends.
Grade 7 has 36 newcomers, with 18 joining Grade 8; nine are added to Grade 9, 10 in Grade 10, and four in Grade 11.
Among the new student-athletes are 38 footballers, one football referee, 24 in athletics, four fencers, three squash players, two swimmers, two table tennis players, and three padel players.
“Let's congratulate all the students for a successful last year and wish all the best for the year ahead,” the principal said.
“In addition to our usual aims this year, one area we are focusing on is their characters and how we can develop them both inside and outside the classroom.”
“So, we are planning some activities as part of a programme that will further develop the skills they need to develop their character.”
“As always, for this to be fully effective, the usual cooperation between the school, parents and all the other departments in the Academy will be needed.”
Ahead of the start of term, Aspire Academy’s teachers spent a week in school preparing for the new arrivals and the year ahead.
The next important date on the calendar for grade 12 student-athletes is their first mid-term exams, which begin on 13 October.
There will then be a short mid-term break for the first semester from 27 to 31 October.