The 2011 / 12 Leadership Academy was launched at Nottingham Trent University on Friday 4th November with 8 City Secondary Schools taking on the competition challenge brief.

Students from Ellis Guilford, Emmanuel, Bluecoat, Big Wood, Nottingham Girls Academy, Nottingham University Samworth Academy, Hadden Park, who had all been selected to represent their school due to the quality sports leadership and coaching skills they have demonstrated over the last year, attended the launch which gave the students an insight and training in the planning and delivery of a new sports comnpetition in their won school.

The day opened with a presentation from ex Manning pupil Michelle Muchemwa who was involved in the Academy last year and has subsequently been selcetd to be a Gold Young Ambassador for 2011 / 12. Michelle inspired the students with her reflection on the work she did as part of the programme and the personal development she has gained through the process. The students also heard from NTU 3rd Year Undergraduate Lucy Sullivan who reflected on her her life as a student and an international athlete in her sport of Archery.

The students took part in Dodgeball and Urban Hockey competitions and a marketing workshop before lunch and then decided on which of the sports they would choose to take on to plan and deliver as a sports competition in their own school for year 7 & 8 students to take part.

The Leadership Academy students now have the challenge of planning and delivering their competition to get a winning team to represent their school in the Leadership Academy sports finals on 24th January. The students will then return to Nottingham Trent University on 10th February to deliver a presentation of their work to a "Dragons Den" panel who will select the schools to take the Leadership Academy bronze, silver and gold medals for 2012