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What Sports Academies Does UNISUS Offer?

At UNISUS, we believe in empowering students to be strong in mind, body, spirit, and character. That’s why we offer a Scholar-Athlete Program that combines world-class academics with elite sports training. 

The result: well-rounded individuals prepared to excel in the classroom and in competition. Below is an overview of the sports academies that UNISUS currently offers, and how each is structured to support student-athletes in their journey to become champions: on the field, on the slopes, on ice, or on the track.

Scholar-Athlete Program: The Philosophy

Before diving into each sport, it helps to understand the guiding principles that underlie all our academies:

  • We combine International Baccalaureate (IB) education with an enriched B.C. High School Diploma and athletic training, so students do not have to choose between academics and sports.
  • Training is holistic. In addition to sport-specific training, we provide strength and conditioning, sports psychology, nutrition planning, injury prevention and recovery, and mental skills development.
  • Each academy is tailored with personalized training and progress monitoring.
  • We aim to cultivate not just athletes, but leaders with resilience, accountability, and a growth mindset.

Snowsports Academy

Disciplines Covered: Freestyle and Alpine Skiing

Highlights & Structure:

  • UNISUS is the first school in British Columbia to combine a snow sports academy with an IB-enriched academic program.
  • Training is built around a holistic athletic development model, including strength and conditioning, movement skills, recovery, and psychological preparation.
  • The Apex Mountain Ski Resort, located close to campus, is the home base for on-hill lessons.
  • During the snow season, athletes engage in intensive on-slope training; in the off-season, they focus on dryland conditioning, cross-training, and skill retention.

Why It Stands Out: This academy offers an integrated path for students passionate about skiing; you don’t have to sacrifice academic ambitions to pursue winter sport excellence.

Hockey Academy

Focus: Ice Hockey (all levels)

Key Features:

  • Provides  accelerated skill development complemented by in-house coaching 
  • Training includes on-ice sessions, skills development, dryland workouts, video analysis, and strength training.
  • The Summerland Arena serves as a base for on-ice lessons.
  • The academy emphasizes “golden age” skill development, recognizing the importance of ages 8 to 13 for foundational motor skill acquisition.

Team & Competitive Exposure: The investment for the academy team program (athletic and academic) is clearly outlined, with options for scholarships or sibling discounts.

Motorsports Academy

Purpose: Designed for student-athletes aspiring to compete in kart or formula-style racing or pursue motorsports at higher levels.

Program Structure & Offerings:

  • On-track training is complemented by simulator training, especially during the winter off-season, to maintain and refine skills year-round.
  • Classroom instruction covers racing strategy, kart maintenance, video performance analysis, sports business and team management, mental focus, and nutrition.
  • The program is available across levels, from an introductory Rookie Racer program to advanced Scholar-Athlete training for experienced racers.
  • Students range roughly from ages 9 to 18, with prior experience in motorsport or karting.

Why It’s Unique: Motorsports is a niche but high-potential field. UNISUS’s inclusive approach ensures that even students entering the sport with some experience can pursue strong academics while training at a competitive level.

Soccer Academy (in partnership with Everton FC)

Ages Covered: U13–U18 for the main academy, with an after-school Development Program for U10–U12.

What Makes It Special:

  • UNISUS is an official Everton International Academy Affiliate Partner, giving students access to Everton’s coaching methodologies, curriculum, and professional mentorship.
  • Training is integrated into the school day: three skills sessions and three strength and conditioning sessions per week.
  • The curriculum emphasizes technical mastery, tactical understanding, game intelligence, and holistic physical, mental, and social development.
  • Facilities include an outdoor soccer field on campus, Summerland municipality fields in the fall and spring, and indoor domes or futsal spaces during winter.
  • Standout players have potential exposure opportunities and training visits to Everton’s Finch Farm complex in the UK.
  • The Soccer Development Program provides after-school training for younger players, aligning with Everton’s methodology. It is open to all interested students.

How to Choose an Academy

When deciding which UNISUS Sports Academy fits best, students and families can consider:

Consideration: Why It Matters

  • Passion and prior experience: Some sports, like motorsports, may require basic skills; skill level and video footage submission will determine admission into the skiing program. Other academies, such as hockey or soccer, allow for progression from basic to intermediate levels.
  • Seasonality and geography: Snowsports follow winter seasons, motorsports have on-track training during the dry (non-winter) seasons, and soccer and hockey offer training throughout the school year.
  • Commitment level: High-performance academies demand dedicated training hours. Students should be prepared for the time and energy involved. Our Scholar-Athletes also need to maintain their academic marks in school.
  • Academic balance: All academies are designed to integrate seamlessly with UNISUS’s strong academic programs.
  • Scholarship and financial support: UNISUS offers scholarship opportunities or financial support for eligible student-athletes.

Final Thoughts

At UNISUS, sports are not just extracurriculars; they’re a core part of our mission to develop Scholar-Athletes: students who strive for academic and athletic excellence.

Our four flagship academies, Snowsports, Hockey, Motorsports, and Soccer, offer structured, high-performance pathways supported by expert coaching, holistic training, and a nurturing academic environment.

Whether your child is a competitive skier, a hockey enthusiast, a promising racer, or a passionate soccer player, UNISUS provides the opportunity to pursue athletic dreams while achieving academic success. Contact us today