The Bristol Academy Flyers are directly linked to the Filton College Basketball Academy, which is one of only 6 nationally accredited Basketball Academies in the country, and the only one in the South West of England. This partnership with Filton College enables us to develop strong links with young talented players. The students, male and female, receive the opportunity to study a full time academic course in conjunction of 20 hours timetabled basketball coaching.

Facts and Figures about Filton College Basketball Academy

• Basketball Academy students receive 15 hours of professional coaching within their weekly timetable and spend a further 5 hours per week following individual fitness plans alongside the College’s full time fitness consultant. This is done in a brand new state of the art gym.
• Students also benefit from sports science and nutritional advice as well as having a full time staff of physiotherapists and sports rehabilitation staff on hand to deal with any injuries.
• Students will be given opportunities to play at National League level with the Bristol Academy basketball club at Junior and senior level. They will also be able to play in the West of England senior league and West of England Central venue League (under 18’s) for the college teams.
• Opportunities to follow a path to college/ university in the United States and also professional careers in the UK and Europe are also available through links the College has with colleges/universities and professional clubs.
• Students will also be able to gain coaching and officiating Qualifications from Basketballs governing body England Basketball.

Players and Competitions

The Basketball Academy has gone from strength to strength in the past three seasons and this year has a record 50 player enrolled in the academy. The standard of all players has again risen and this year’s intake is by far the most talented - as far as squads are concerned - we have ever had.

We will have three squads of male academy players playing in:

• England Basketball’s elite academy structure where Filton will be pitted against the 6 top academies. This will also mean that Filton will travel to European tournaments to compete as well as host there own tournament in college breaks.
• National League Under 18’s Premier and Conference and Senior level with teams in Division I and III of the English National League.
• British Federation of Sports competitions.
• British College’s Elite cup.
• English Schools Academies Cup.
• West of England Senior Men’s League, (WEBBA) Division I, II and III.

All players will have the opportunity to play in organised and competitive basketball competitions and will combine this with a full time educational course.

Basketball Academy Coaching Staff

The basketball academy coaching staff includes:

• Andreas Kapoulas ( Academy Head Coach and Head Coach of the Senior men’s National League Division 1 team)
• Guy Coles (Academy Assistant coach and Head coach of the Under 18 and 16 teams)
• Davis Bowne (Community coach)
• Doug McLaughlin Williams (Community Coach)
• Nick Burns (Senior Men’s Division 1 Assistant Coach)
• Jack Stannard (Junior development coach and senior men’s team player)

Andreas Kapoulas		Andreas is the Head of basketball at Filton college and the Head Coach of the Bristol Academy Flyers National League Division 1 team. Andreas was previously  the Head Coach at Team Bath and was a former Greek International Cadet.
Guy Coles		Guy is the Head Coach of the Bristol Academy Flyers Under-18 and Under-16 teams and also the Head of the Flyers Development Centre. Guy also heads up the University of Bristol men’s team and has played National League Basketball at both junior and senior levels for Bristol Academy and Leicester Riders