Sporting Achievements
The college has an impressive range of sports facilities: sports pitches, sports hall, dance studio and a fitness suite with state of the art equipment, including VO2 max testing equipment.
The college also makes regular use of local leisure centres, the Amaechi Basketball Centre and international standard facilities around the city, such as Manchester Velodrome, National Squash and Tennis Centre and the Aquatics Centre. Team training sessions take place throughout the week so anyone can get involved. Some students involved in sports teams at Loreto are also studying sport at advanced level, other students get involved for the fun of it!
League Tables:
Loreto Elite Athletic Development
(LEAD) programme
For the last 12 years Loreto has been renowned for developing very talented basketballers, many of whom have gone on to American Universities and eventually to play professional basketball. Loreto now attracts elite sports performers from a wide variety of disciplines including track and road cycling, wheelchair basketball, cricket, athletics, swimming, water polo, gymnastics and motor sports. These elite students have chosen Loreto because of the combination of outstanding academic results and the high levels of staff experience in supporting sports performers at this level. In response to the ever growing number of elite performers joining the college, Loreto has developed its LEAD programme.
This specialised curriculum of support has brought together a variety of national governing bodies to develop a programme which is unique to Loreto College. The programme looks at developing the sports performers outside of their everyday competition. Students receive a specialist curriculum focusing on areas such as nutrition, psychology, attitude and lifestyle support. Students are guided by expert lecturers, who have experience of working with organisations such as UK Athletics, The Football Premier League and England Basketball, amongst many others.
Former student Clovis Asong, who benefited from the support of the programme whilst at Loreto, said:
“The LEAD programme has really helped with my preseason preparation. As the number one UK 17-year-old 400 metre runner I had access to the best coaches and all the support from UK athletics. However the LEAD programme has opened my eyes to other areas to help improve my performance, including goal setting and the importance of mental imagery as part of my preparations for a race. The best part of the programme is that I share my own experience with other students from Loreto who are elite in their own sports.”
Loreto is recognised for its range of enrichment opportunities in Sport, Exercise and Fitness. Loreto offers all learners at the college opportunity to participate in a wide variety of sport and activities in outstanding facilities.
Georgina Brierley (Alumni)
Basketball – Gina studied PE, Psychology and Theology & Ethics at Loreto and was a member of the Women’s Basketball Academy. She has recently represented Great Britain at under 20 level at the European Championships in Israel, where GB finished in 8th position. Gina is currently in the second year of a full scholarship to study at St Leo University in Florida to continue her Basketball development.
Kaiyem Cleary (Alumni)
Basketball – Kaiyem studied Chemistry, Physics and Media at Loreto and was a standout player in the Men’s Basketball academy programme. He has represented England at U16 and U18 level and has just represented Great Britain in the U18 European Championships where they finished runners up, winning a silver medal and gaining promotion to Division A next year. Kaiyem is now attending Redemption Christian Academy in the USA, a Prep School where he will study and play Basketball full-time as he looks to gain a full scholarship to a Division 1 University next year.
Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo (Alumni)
Basketball – Arinze is a current A Level student that is another member of our talented Basketball Academy. He was a member of the England U16 that competed in the European Championships in 2016 and is a current member of the England U17 squad. Arinze was recently selected to attend the Deng ‘Top 50’ Camp in London, for the best 50 U19 players in the UK. He was positioned as number 7 at the end of the camp by the selection panel which is a fantastic achievement. Arinze is now attending University of Regina in Canada, where he will study and play Basketball for the Cougars.
Michael Anumba (Alumni)
Basketball – Michael is a member of the Men’s Basketball Academy and a current A Level student. He was voted the Number 1 U19 player in the UK at the prestigious Deng ‘Top 50’ Camp. This exposure is going to serve Michael well as he plans to earn a full athletic scholarship to a Division 1 university in the USA after he completes his studies here at Loreto. Michael also plays a major role for the Manchester Magic Senior Men’s team in NBL Division 1, which as an U18 player is quite unusual. He is a huge talent and has a bright future ahead of him. Michael also received an award last season when he was voted 2016-17 ‘Defensive Player of the Year’ in his Elite Academy Basketball League Conference for Loreto College.Michael gained a full scholarship at Winthrop University in South Carolina, where he is entering his sophomore year.
Fiona Connolly
Basketball – Fiona is a current A Level student and member of our Girls Basketball Academy. Fiona has represented the North West of England at the Regional Tournament at U17 and has a goal of making the Great Britain U18 team for next summer’s European Championships.
Fabio Abreu (Alumni)
Fabio Abreu left Loreto College in 2010 after being offered a professional contract with Maritimo in Portugal. Fabio is currently playing in the Portuguese League for Moreirense, where they are sixth in the league. Fabio recently made his debut for Angola and played in a World Cup qualifying playoff game against The Gambia. Fabio played in both legs of the tie and managed to score his first goal for Angola in the second leg, with Angola winning 3-1 on aggregate
