Bindura University of Science Education was given the mandate to house the National Sports Academy by Government in 2006. The National Sports Academy is a converging centre for sporting activities which include athletics, field, aquatic and indoor games. When fully developed, it will host national and international events, as well as prepare sports persons to compete in these and other competitions.
The major challenges to be addressed by the academy are:
- The absence of a scientific approach to our sports programmes
- The dwindling numbers at major international competitions especially the Olympics
- The absence of medals at all these major international competitions.
What is the National Sports Academy
- An institution that facilitates the development of identified talent with the aim of achieving international success and recognition.
It also deals with talent identification and nurturing it. - It educates sports personnel
- Serves as a Centre of Excellence for applied sports science and research
What does it seek to achieve
- It seeks to produce highly distinguished sports personalities for the immediate and ultimate benefit of humanity. The Academy also hopes to develop sports persons physically, socially, morally and mentally whilst instilling in them attitudes and values that are a pre-requisite for a civil society. Ultimately the Academy aims to build career paths for young people while utilising sports as a bridge builder among different cultures in Zimbabwe.
The National Sports Academy is about
- Consistent and sustainable success for Zimbabwean athletes and teams on the world stage
- Greater levels of accountability for performance results
- Improved governance structures and contemporary reporting and monitoring of performance
- Engaging, uniting, inspiring and motivating all Zimbabweans
Priorities
The following priorities that must be agreed through a collaborative effort focus on what is needed to achieve Zimbabwe’s Winning Edge.
- Investing for success: Investment is targeted to achieve the greatest chance of international success.
- Planning to perform: Planning and review processes are contemporary and provide for elevated accountability across the sector.
- Investing in sound youth development programmes: Capture the disadvantaged but talented athletes in remote areas- THOSE THAT HAVE NO ACCESS TO SPORTS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES.
Important Partners
The high performance sector comprises many organisations working together to support the academy to achieve continued sporting success for Zimbabwe.
Each organisation has a critical role to play to ensure Zimbabwe excels on the world’s sporting stage
Scholarships
The Academy will nurture and support athletes who will go on to become Olympic and Paralympics medallists and highly successful international sportsmen and sportswomen. Athletes must be attracted to the National Sports Academy for its expert coaching, state-of-the-art facilities, world-leading sports science and sports medicine, and unique opportunities for travel, study and work. A BUSE scholarship will offer much more than coaching and facilities — Athletes who join the Academy family become part of a unique community of people with diverse interests who learn, train, celebrate and excel together.
Our Vision
An internationally renowned high performance sports centre producing podium performance athletes.
Our Mission
To contribute towards the transformation of the country into a prosperous and empowered upper middle class income society by running a high performance sports system which offers sustainable socio – economic rewards
Quality Assurance Statement
We seek to become a “Home of Future Olympians”
Functions of the National Sports Academy Department
- Talent Identification: Identify, train and monitor athletes with evidence-based programs.
- High Performance Management: Optimize performance and safeguard athlete health.
- Long term Athlete Development: Implementing scientific methods in talent development for long-term athlete development to create pathways from grassroots to global excellence
- Data Collection and Scientific Analysis: Carryout scientific research and analysing data related to athlete performance, and overall talent success that achieves national and international podium performance.
- Training and Support: Providing training and support for academy talentees and external to enhance quality coaching and training
- Community Engagement: Build partnerships to strengthen sports capacity and create sustainable ecosystems.
Address: Gymnasium Offices Number 1 and 2, and 3 New Site Complex, (Mt Darwin Campus), Bindura
Email: sportsacademy@buse.ac.zw
Phone Number: 08677004330/ 0771770487 (WhatsApp)
WELCOME TO THE NATIONAL SPORTS ACADEMY DEPARTMENT
“The goal is to pluck athletes from the back of beyond, develop them and see them reach their full potential both academically and as professional athletes.”
As National Sports Academy since 2013, we envision the Academy as a transformative hub for Zimbabwean sport. The mission is rooted in:
- Talent Identification & Development: Reaching disadvantaged but gifted athletes in remote areas, nurturing them into elite performers.
- Holistic Growth: Supporting athletes’ physical, mental, emotional, and academic development.
- International Success: Preparing athletes to compete and win at global events like the Olympics and Paralympics.
- Scientific Support: Providing cutting-edge sports science, medicine, and coaching to elevate performance.
- Cultural Unity: Using sport as a bridge across Zimbabwe’s diverse communities.
The Academy is designed to be a national centre of excellence, offering scholarships, expert mentorship, and world-class facilities. It aims to lead similar initiatives across Africa, setting the pace for sustainable sport development.
ACADEMY
A National Sports Academy plays a pivotal role in developing elite athletes, fostering coaching excellence, and ensuring smooth operational management. Here’s a breakdown of the key roles and responsibilities across its core pillars:
Roles of Athletes/Talentees
- Training & Commitment: Attend scheduled training sessions, follow performance plans, and maintain peak physical condition.
- Competition Readiness: Participate in local, national, and international competitions; represent the academy and country.
- Personal Development: Engage in educational programs, life skills training, and mental wellness initiatives.
- Compliance: Adhere to anti-doping regulations, academy codes of conduct, and performance benchmarks.
Coaching Staff
- Technical Training: Design and implement sport-specific training programs tailored to individual and team needs.
- Performance Monitoring: Track athlete progress using data Analytics, video analysis, and regular assessments.
- Mentorship & Guidance: Provide psychological support, motivation, and career advice to athletes.
- Collaboration: Work with sports scientists, physiotherapists, and nutritionists to optimize athlete development.
- Continuous Learning: Stay updated with global coaching trends, attend workshops, and pursue certifications.
Administrative & Support Staff
- Operations Management: Oversee logistics, scheduling, facility maintenance, and resource allocation.
- Finance & Compliance: Manage budgets, procurement, sponsorships, and regulatory reporting.
- Event Coordination: Organize training camps, competitions, workshops, and public engagement events.
- Communications & Branding: Handle media relations, social media, and academy branding initiatives.
- Athlete Welfare: Ensure access to medical care, counseling, accommodation, and academic support.
Interdepartmental Collaboration
- Integrated Support Teams: Sports medicine, physiotherapy, nutrition, psychology, and performance analysis units work together to support athletes holistically.
- Strategic Planning: Align academy goals with national sports policies and international standards.
