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Athletics & Activities

Program Overview

Qatar Academy believes that athletics are a positive and powerful motivator for students to perform better in all facets of school life. Athletics is one way for students to grow and mature as healthy, well-rounded and socially well-adjusted citizens. By encouraging commitment, determination and teamwork we feel students will benefit greatly as they apply these skills in other areas of their life. We truly hope that students take advantage of the athletic opportunities offered to them in order to make their school career a richer experience.

The objective of the Athletic program at Qatar Academy is to provide students with the opportunity to be involved in athletic activities in order to develop a positive character-building experience outside of regular school hours. The program is intended to be all-inclusive. Students can participate in both competitive and/or non-competitive sport teams.

In this section...

• Athletics Program
• Activities Program
• Clubs and Activities

Click here to view Senior Students After School Activity Schedule

Senior School Athletics Program

For more information, click below:

• Teams & Sports
• Sport Calendar & Events
• Sport Leagues - ISAC, DPSSA, QUESS
• Mission & Philosophy
• Code of Ethics
• Athletic Handbook & Forms
• Coaching Staff

Click here to view Sports and Activity Calendar

Teams & Sports

Varsity (U19) and Junior Varsity (U16) Competitive Teams

Students who wish to take their abilities, commitment and skills to the next level can opt for competitive sports. Students will be required to try-out for the school team and commit themselves to practice sessions a minimum of 3x a week. Competitive teams will compete against other private schools who are members of the DPSSA in weekly games. Some competitive teams will be able to travel to international schools within the Middle East and Africa to compete in ISAC league tournaments.

Middle Years Sports Program

All students in Grades 6-8 will have the opportunity to participate in all sports that are offered at their age level. Students train with their coaches to learn the basic and advanced skills necessary to play recreational sports. When the coaches feel the students have received a satisfactory amount of skill development, the group will be divided evenly into teams for inter-squad competition. Students will train twice a week for a period of 8-12 weeks per sport. An "All-Star" team may be selected for local competition against member schools of the QUESS sports league. "All-Star" team selection will be based on; skill, sportsmanship, leadership, dedication to the team and team cohesion.

Recreational Sport

Qatar Academy is one of the only schools in Qatar that offers students both competitive and recreational sports programs. Students preferring not to play competitively will have the opportunity to participate in Recreational Sports once a week. For all of the sports that are offered at QA, there is a recreational option.

Sports

Sports are organized by seasons as best as possible. QA offers its student body competitive teams in the following age division and sports:

Sport Leagues

ISAC - International Schools Activities Conference (Since 1994)

• ISAC is an international sports & activities league geographically located in the Arabian Gulf and Eastern Mediterranean.
• ISAC members schools can be found in Egypt, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar
• ISAC believes in the development of each student through academic, athletic, and artistic/cultural endeavors. The International Schools Athletic Conference (ISAC) seeks to create, promote, and foster cooperation among its member schools by providing a forum for communication and discussion, by promoting and/or sponsoring activities and athletic events, and by seeking to serve as an extension of each member schools' program to enhance the development of the students, the schools, and the organization.

• The object of QUESS is to provide meaningful, competitive opportunities to secondary school students age 11+ within the State of Qatar.
• QUESS would like to provide opportunities for curriculum development within member schools.
• QUESS member schools participate in tournaments that occur during the weekday or after school. All teams compete in their grade level. Games are usually modified to ensure a high participation rate for students
• QUESS member schools are:
  • Doha College
  • Gulf English School
  • Al Jazeera School
  • American School Doha
  • The Learning Centre
  • Qatar International School
  • Al Khor International School
  • Park House English School
  • Dukhan English School
  • Qatar Leadership Academy
  • Qatar Academy
• Qatar Academy participates in the following QUESS sponsored activities:
• Volleyball Tournament - Grade 6-8, U16 & U19
• Soccer Tournament - Grade 6-8, U16
• Badminton Tournament - Grade 6-8, U16 & U19
• Table Tennis Tournament - Grade 6-8, U18 & U19
• Cross Country - U12, U13, U14
• Road Race - U12, U14, U16, U19
• Basketball - U14, U16, U19

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Mission and Philosophy

To offer a variety of competitive and fun student focused extracurricular athletic program that emphasizes lifelong values of fair play, sportsmanship, teamwork, fitness, dedication, integrity, and friendship that reflect the cultural diversity of Qatar Academy. The athletic program embraces the multicultural uniqueness of the national and international student-body and fosters school spirit through athletic initiatives at Qatar Academy.

The Qatar Academy Athletic Department believes that an extracurricular athletic program is vital to the educational, physical and emotional development of a student. The athletic program plays an important role in the life of the QA student. Athletic activities support the academic mission of the Academy.

• Sport promotes a high level of integrity, commitment, cooperation, responsibility, accountability, self-control and self-discipline from its students and coaches.
• Students, who participate in a sport, will have the opportunity to improve personal fitness and motor-skill levels, and the development of social, emotional and mental attitudes.
• Student athletes are always required to strive and maintain academic excellence.
• Coaches in interscholastic sports have an opportunity to achieve a wider scope of educational and developmental goals through the additional learning opportunities that occur when working with students in extracurricular activities.
• Coaches are expected to produce teams that are fully aware of the correct rules, protocols and sports etiquette expected from a well-disciplined team.
• One hundred percent effort is expected from all athletes at all times.
• It is not now, nor has it ever been, the Athletic Department's policy to win at all cost.
• All students are welcome and encouraged to participate in the Academy's sports program -- provided they are willing abide by all rules and regulations that are written in the Athletic Program handbook.
• Students and parents are to familiarize themselves with the handbook, code of conduct and department protocol in order to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants and to prevent any misunderstandings during the course of the school year.
• Prospective participants are reminded that the sports/activities are competitive, designed to serve those students who meet, and continue to meet, high standards of skill, performance, self-discipline, sportsmanship and conduct.
• Students are to be aware that participating on a QA sports team is a privilege, not a right.

It is understood that athletes and athletic programs are an important partner in the educational process. Very few of QA athletes will be participating in team sports after their high school careers; they must take something with them other than ability. What they take with them will depend on their coach. High standards, fair-play, discipline, protocol and clear expectations will allow our students to have a positive learning experience.

Code of Ethics

I. Code of Ethics for Players

• Conduct themselves at all times (on and off the playing field) with honor, dignity and integrity.
• Treat opponents and fellow team members with respect and as honored guests.
• Be responsible for their studies/homework and maintain their academic eligibility requirements.
• Accept seriously the responsibility and privilege of representing the school and be a positive role model in and out of the classroom.
• Commit themselves to hard and dedicated practice, to the team and to their coach.

• Dedicate themselves to practice and training, and maintain a high level of fitness.
• Be punctual to all contests and practices; there is no room for excuses on a team.
• Be fair, honest and sportsmanlike at all times; no matter what the cost.
• Accept the decision of the official without question.

• Recognize and applaud honestly and whole heartedly the efforts of their team or opponents regardless of race color or creed
• Give opponents full credit when they win and congratulate them on their success, regardless of your disappointment.
• Play hard at all times in spite of all hardships; good teams never give up, quit, complain or argue with their teammates, coaches, officials or fans.
• Support and encourage their team members on the playing field, as a fan, in the hallways of the school, in the classroom, and in the community.

II. Code of Ethics for Coaches

• Uphold the honor of the teaching profession in all relations with students, colleagues, coaches, administration and the public.
• Always set a good example for fans and participants to follow, exemplify the highest moral and ethical behavior.
• Remember that the athletic area is a classroom with moral and educational obligations required at all times.
• Officiate games in the manner you would expect games to be officiated for yourself.
• Enforce penalties for students and athletes who do not follow sportsmanship standards.
• Review the code of ethics with their team and use its principals as a coaching tool.

• Best prepare the athletes for the highest level of competition, inspire students to do-their-best and compete fairly.
• Arrive on time and be prepared for their coaching session, an organized coach will earn the respect of his/her team.
• Treat all players on the team with an equal amount of respect, dignity and fairness.
• Pay careful attention to the physical conditioning of all players.

• Prohibit the use of foul language, unfair play and unsportsmanlike behavior from their players.
• Respect the final decision of the officials and display the utmost in sportsmanlike behavior as role model for all players, parents, fans and students.
• Teach athletes to win by legitimate means only.
• Officiate games according to the rules and be fair and honest to both teams.

III. Code of Ethics for Parents and Fans

• Conduct himself or herself as the mature role model, supporting the team in a positive manner.
• Respect the decisions made by the game officials and tournament personnel.
• Cheer for their team when they are successful and not successful, use phrases that are always positive and uplifting.
  Never "boo" the visiting team or cheer when the opposition makes a bad play or performance.
• Recognize outstanding performances on either side of the playing court.

• Support the players, team, and coach regardless of the outcome of the match.
• Cheer in a positive manner at all times during the game.
• Not interfere with the coaching, officiating or practice routine of any team.
• Support the athletes with enthusiasm and composure.

• React in a positive manner to a coaching or officiating decision that you may question.
• Encourage fans, parents, children and players to display only sportsmanlike behavior.
• Treat visiting teams with respect.
• Cheer for both teams during the player introduction and at the end of the match.

Athletic Handbook

Qatar Academy Athletic Department is governed by the rules and regulations set out by the school administration. The guidelines for sport can be found in the Qatar Academy Falcons Athletic Program Handbook. A copy of the handbook can be picked up from the Athletics Director's office or from the PDF file attached.

Please click here to view the Athletic Handbook

Activities Program

It is important that students have the opportunity to expand their experiences beyond the classroom. The Academy offers a range of activities under the direction of well-qualified advisors. We provide our students with opportunities to learn critical lessons in leadership, character, communication, teamwork, decision-making, and individual potential, and in the end, just have fun. After school events are from 2.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.

Clubs and Activities

QA offers many activities for the Senior School students. There are clubs and activities that meet during lunch break and other activities take place after school. All activities are dependent on the enthusiasm, attendance, and good will of the students. Each activity has at least one adult advisor who provides leadership to the group. The clubs focus on a year long or semester commitment. The activities are a recreational option to a sport offering.