The most crucial part of any new program is creating a solid foundation, which is precisely what we are doing with Franklin Academy’s new Athletics program. Students have expressed interest in playing interscholastic sports for some time, and now is the time to introduce it into our community. Over 50% of returning students have already expressed interest in participating in at least one of our four athletics offerings next year. Playing a team sport will offer our students a new way to grow socially as they experience the ups and downs of working as a team towards a common goal of competing and, most of all, having fun.
Franklin will be joining the Coastal Prep League for two of our sports offerings. The Coastal Prep League is comprised of other small schools across Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York. Our first team to officially take the field to represent Franklin Academy in our inaugural season will be our coed varsity soccer team. The soccer season is jam-packed, with 12 games spread throughout the first two months of the school year. Be on the lookout for an official schedule announcement and an unveiling of our team uniforms on the website later this summer.
In the winter, the focus will shift from outside on the soccer field to on the basketball court. As with our soccer team, our basketball team will compete in the Coastal Prep League. The season takes place from mid-November through early March.
Through an exciting new partnership, the third sports offering will be swimming. We will be joining the Northern Middlesex YMCA Barracudas based in Middletown, CT. This opportunity allows us to join a team with a deep history and great structural support already in place. Students will try out for the team and be placed according to skill level to a senior or a junior team. Swimming provides a unique opportunity for our students to participate in a sport where they can act as individuals in swim events while feeling the excitement of being cheered on by their teammates.
In the spring, students will have the opportunity to participate in ultimate frisbee. We will be joining the Connecticut High School Ultimate League. Ultimate has become a popular activity at Franklin over the past few years. We are excited that many of our current students are already interested in joining the team.
With sports offered each season — all part of leagues with solid foundations — we are excited to watch students pioneer the way for future generations as we fly like a Phoenix into the future of Athletics at Franklin Academy.
