Doha, Qatar: ASPIRE, the Academy for Sports Excellence, continued to build upon its strong relationship with the local community on Monday, hosting a special evening event for the families of its new students.
The event, held at the start of the academic and sporting year, provided an important opportunity for parents to learn more about the Academy's ambitious goals and strong support for its students.
Over sixty new students have been awarded places at the pioneering Academy based on their athletic potential and the parents' evening offered an important chance for families to understand more about the opportunities available.
Feedback from the parents at the event was very positive, with many welcoming the opportunity to learn more about the unique Academy and also to meet the teachers and coaches responsible for their children's development.
Prof Dr Dieter Hackfort, Dean of the Academy, welcomed the students' families at the meeting and outlined objectives for the coming year. He also discussed ASPIRE's boarding school and explained how the Academy fulfils Qatar's national curriculum in addition to offering other fields of study.
Parents were also able to learn about ASPIRE's ongoing career development program, which supports students in exploring a wide range of vocational options.
Prof Dr Hackfort said: "These evenings are a critical part of our developing relationship with the parents of our athletes. Engaging with their families at the earliest opportunity reassures them of our commitment to working in partnership. Family life is essential in the development of champions."
Following the evening, parents were able to nominate an individual to be a new 'Parents' Representative': a volunteer who works with the Academy on a regular basis to discuss family issues.
ASPIRE's philosophy holds that that family life plays a key role in shaping successful athletic careers, with young sports stars requiring encouragement and support, as well as a balanced diet and opportunities to practice at home.
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About ASPIRE
ASPIRE, the Academy for Sports Excellence, Doha, was created with the dual aims of identifying and transforming promising student athletes into world renowned champions across a wide range of sports and to act as a beacon to draw sporting culture into the centre of life in Qatar and the surrounding region.
The Academy is distinguished by a philosophy which aims to develop the whole student, providing them with full academic, social and sporting development.
Unrivalled facilities mark the Academy out as one of the world's foremost sporting and educational institutions, and entice an ever increasing number of visitors from across the spectrum of world sports to use or simply view them.
With one indoor and seven outdoor football pitches, athletics tracks, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, diving pool, combat arenas, gymnastics arena, specially designed weight rooms, lecture halls, dormitories to accommodate what will eventually become 1,000 students, a medical centre and more besides, much beneath the world's largest purpose built indoor sports dome, every aspect of the development of elite athletes is catered for. ASPIRE is a place for those who dare to dream.
ASPIRE TODAY, INSPIRE TOMORROW
www.aspire.qa
© Press Release 2007
