Athletics Program

Greenwich Academy’s athletic philosophy mirrors that of every other field of endeavor here: We are committed to fostering excellence within the context of developing sound character.

At every age, in every sport, our girls learn sportsmanship, discipline, dedication, teamwork. And the student-athlete is the center of it all. Every GA girl has the opportunity to compete on a team regardless of her experience or skill level. A signature piece of our program is the quality of the relationships our girls build with the inspiring, committed educators who teach their sport—as well as with each other. Most important, GA’s entire athletic community is informed by our motto, Toward the Building of Character, as girls, coaches, and fans alike win with grace, lose with dignity, and demonstrate resilience, courage, integrity, and compassion.

Lower School

From our littlest Gators taking quick laps down at the Molly H. King Campus to Group IV girls learning sport-specific skills and team concepts, physical education is a key part of Lower School life. It’s fun, to be sure, but it’s also purposeful and structured. Twice-a-week classes for PC and CC ramp up to three in Groups I-IV. And while they’re mastering technique and rules of play, they also learn how to lead and how to follow, how to compete and how to cooperate. And ultimately, they learn the fun of fair play.

Middle School

We believe teamwork and competition are crucial learning experiences. In Groups V and VI, girls focus on sports and technique, refining skills and improving strategies to prepare them for team play. In Groups VII and VIII, students train and represent their school in the four sports offered each season. Except for game days and Wednesdays, teams practice for the last two periods of school. Our Middle School Gators lay the foundation of our Upper School athletic program.

Upper School

GA fields more than 25 teams in 16 sports and has a long tradition of interscholastic success. Teams consistently compete for conference titles, and many extend their seasons to contend for New England and, for some teams, National Championships. We offer crew, cross country, field hockey, soccer, and volleyball in fall; basketball, ice hockey, squash, skiing, and swimming & diving in winter; crew, golf, lacrosse, sailing, tennis, track & field, and water polo in spring. Teams practice a maximum of two hours on non-game days. Training sessions are designed to provide the appropriate level of challenge with an increased expectation on performance at the varsity level.

GA provides a myriad of ways for girls to gain confidence through movement, be it participating in our physical education, dance, or athletic programs. All offer the appropriate level of challenge to meet the needs of our students.

US Dance

Dance Corps

Dance Corps members are required to participate in at least two trimesters of dance classes per year. The typical rehearsal schedule is Sundays 11:00 AM-3:30 PM (except long weekends) and Mondays 4:00-6:00 PM. Dance Corps students receive one arts credit per year.

Junior Dance Corps

JDC members are required to participate in at least one trimester of dance classes per year. JDC rehearses on Thursdays 4:00-6:00 PM. JDC students receive half an arts credit per year.

US Dance Classes

Dance is available as an alternative to PE for all three trimesters in Upper School. Between the Dance I (mixed level) and Dance II (Dance Corps level), there is a class for everyone. Dance meets Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 3:00-4:00 PM (on Tuesdays Dance II extends to 4:30 PM).

Depending on the combination of athletics and dance, it is possible to participate in both sports and dance. Each circumstance is slightly different so if you have specific questions, please reach out to Genevieve Mifflin.

Affiliations

Affiliations

NEPSAC

The New England Preparatory School Athletic Council is made up of 170 member schools throughout New England and New York. The Council is divided into four geographical districts and each school competes in classes/divisions based on school size. Greenwich Academy competes as a Class A/Division I school in District Four, also known as the Western New England Athletic Association (WNEPSAA). WNEPSAA is made up of 68 schools from Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.

The following are sports that Greenwich Academy competes in as a member of NEPSAC. The NEPSAC hosts a Championship Tournament in the fall and winter for all sports listed; track & field has a Championship Tournament in the spring.

Fall: Cross Country, Field Hockey, Soccer, Volleyball
Winter: Basketball, Ice Hockey, Swimming & Diving, Squash
Spring: Golf, Lacrosse, Tennis, Track & Field

WNEPSAA

The Western New England Athletic Association is made of 68 member schools in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut. Greenwich Academy competes as a Class A/Divison I school.

The following are sports that Greenwich Academy competes in as a member of WNEPSAA. Championships are awarded based on team finish with in each respective Class/Division.

Fall: Cross country, Field Hockey, Soccer, Volleyball
Winter: Basketball, Ice Hockey, Swimming, Squash
Spring: Gold, Lacrosse, Tennis, Track & Field

FAA

The Fairchester Athletic Association is made of up 11 member schools in both Southwestern Connecticut and Southeastern New York. There are nine full-member schools and two adjunct member schools.

Member Schools:

Greens Farms Academy, Greens Farms, CT
Greenwich Academy, Greenwich, CT
Hamden Hall, Hamden, CT*
Hopkins School, New Haven, CT*
The King School, Stamford, CT
The Masters School, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Rye Country Day School, Rye, NY
Sacred Heart Grenwich, Greenwich, CT
School of the Holy Child, Rye, NY

*Adjunct member

Championships:

Fall: Cross Country, Field Hockey, Soccer, Volleyball
Winter: Basketball, Squash
Spring: Golf, Lacrosse, Softball, Tennis

MSFAA

Inquiry

Are you a prospective student-athlete? Please get in touch with us—we'd love to meet you.

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Athletics Handbook

Middle School Program

An integral part of a GA girl’s education, Greenwich Academy’s middle school athletic program mirrors the school’s commitment to fostering excellence within the context of developing sound character.

At all levels, student athletes are given the opportunity to improve their skills and understanding of tactics in an environment that rewards sportsmanship, discipline, dedication, and teamwork; through these lessons, the department promotes physical, intellectual, and emotional growth.

A signature piece of the GA program is the quality of the relationship the student athletes build with the inspiring, skilled, and dedicated teachers of their sport. As it is in GA classrooms, through instruction and example, the coaches seek to inspire, motivate and prepare individuals and teams to perform their best.

Most important, the school’s motto, Toward the Building of Character, is realized in GA’s athletic arenas as its student athletes, coaches, and fans learn to accept defeat with dignity and win with grace, demonstrating resilience, courage, integrity, and compassion.

Sports

FALL

Cross Country
Dance
Field Hockey
Soccer
Volleyball

WINTER

Basketball
Dance
Ice Hockey
Squash (tryouts may be required)
Swimming

SPRING

Crew
Dance
Lacrosse
Tennis (tryouts may be required)
Track & Field

League Info

LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP

MS FAA Member Schools

Brunswick School
Carmel Academy
Convent of the Sacred Heart
Eagle Hill School-Greenwich
Eagle Hill School-Southport
Fairfield Country Day School
French American School
Greens Farms Academy
Greenwich Catholic School
Greenwich Country Day School
Hackley School
Harvey School
King
Masters School
New Canaan Country School
Our Lady of Fatima School
Resurrection Elementary School
Ridgefield Academy
Rippowam Cisqua School
Rye Country Day School
School of the Holy Child
St. Aloysius School
St. Luke’s School
Stanwich School
Unquowa School
Whitby School
Windward School

Guidelines for Spectators

Spectators—whether students, faculty, parents, alumnae, or friends—bear important responsibilities to the school for the atmosphere and conduct of games whether home or away. Spectators should watch games from those areas defined by each school as spectator areas. They must not run up and down sidelines, call to players, coaches, or officials in an unsportsmanlike manner, or go onto the field of play. Any action that detracts from the ability of coaches, players, and officials to do their best is not acceptable.

*From the NEPSAC handbook

Player Info

PROTOCOLS

Athletics is considered an important part of the school day and therefore should not be missed. On the rare occasion that an appointment conflicts with practice, the coach should be notified well in advance. Student athletes are responsible for providing this communication.
Prolonged absenteeism from practice may result in the reduction of playing time.
Preparedness and promptness to practice and games are essential. If a student athlete lacks the required equipment or is often late to practice, her playing time may be affected.
Nearly every sport GA competes in does not allow jewelry during game play. That being the rule, girls should not wear jewelry during practice or games. This can be problematic with newly pierced ears as earrings always will have to be removed in order to compete.
Every girl is assigned a locker with a working lock in which to store valuables and clothes. There should be no issue of “stolen” property.

PRACTICE & COMPETITION

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

FALL

Cross Country: running shoes
Field Hockey: stick, mouthguard, shin guards, socks that cover shinguards, cross-training or turf shoes
Soccer: shinguards, turf shoes/cleats
Volleyball: court shoes (running shoes are not recommended due to increased risk of injuries)

WINTER

Basketball: court shoes (running shoes are not recommended due to increased risk of injuries)
Ice Hockey: helmet, mouthguard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, girdle/breezers, pelvic protector, pant/shell, knee pads, shinguards, skates, stick
Squash: non-marking court shoes, protective eye wear, racquet
Swimming: swim suit, goggles, towel, shoes for pool deck

SPRING

Crew: water bottle, clothing that will not interfere with rowing stoke
Lacrosse: stick, goggles, mouthguard, cross-training or turf shoes
Tennis: non-marking court shoes, racquet
Track: running shoes

TRANSPORTATION

GA provides transportation to and from all away contests. A parent/guardian may elect to take their daughter home from a game but may not transport another child without written consent from that parent. The school provides transportation to and from the rink and pool, and from the MHK Campus field. GA provides transport to but not from off-campus squash practice. Parents must pick up squash players after off-campus practice.