About The Academy Programme
The Academy Programme was founded in Worcester by Hannah Davies and Justine Bishop, who envisioned providing respite sessions for care experienced children. Justine, a professional in children’s services, and Hannah, who turned her turbulent life around through the weightlifting and CrossFit community, understood the profound impact a supportive community can have on young people lacking stability.
In 2021, they initiated a Saturday class at a gym and, with the help of gym members from Blueprint Training. The team developed a Level 1 Sport and Fitness qualification (equivalent to a grade 4, or C in the old grading system).
The transformative effects of the course were evident as participants experienced life changing outcomes: attending college, joining the army, securing apprenticeships, overcoming substance abuse, leaving gangs, and achieving independent living away from unhealthy home environments.
Recognising the potential for broader impact, The Academy Programme was registered as a community interest company and piloted at Droitwich High School. The success led the school to convert its gymnasium into an onsite CrossFit facility, making fitness accessible to all students and the local community.
With backing from Active Herefordshire & Worcestershire and British Weightlifting, the programme expanded to nearly all secondary schools and one primary school in Worcester.
With the help of the CrossFit community, the Academy Programme is at forefront of a new physical educational movement sweeping the UK. The team currently support 52 educational institutions nationwide, including primary and secondary schools, PRUs, SEND institutions, and colleges.
The Academy Model creates a pyramid of support between schools and their local CrossFit Affiliated Gym or functional fitness provider to continue to drive excellence for life long participation.
The teams next steps is to secure a brick and mortar facility designed to create a vibrant community centre integrating fitness & wellness, and social engagement. The facility will be the busy, bustling hive of life of the organisation dedicated to providing classes to the people society doesn’t cater for and deliver qualifications to anyone who dreams of a different way of life.
Using the skills developed inside the gym to transfer them into excellence outside of the gym doors.
The Academy Programme Team
CHRIS LAWRIE
Hannah Mittoo
Hannah co-founded The Academy, combining her passions for CrossFit and fostering, to impact young lives positively.
She’s a CrossFit Level 1 and British Weightlifting Coach and CrossFit Affiliate owner, with plans to start a weightlifting club for girls and underprivileged youth.
Hannah enjoys coffee, donuts, and walks with her Labrador, Leo.
JORDAN GATEHOUSE
Jordan is a CrossFit L2 and British Weightlifing L2 Coach currently based at CrossFit Cortex.
He works as a mentor for a alternative provision educational provider and is due to start his degree in English and train as a teacher.
VICTORIA TURNER
Claire Kemp
Claire, a Level 2 CrossFit coach with a 16-year police background, leverages her experience in youth sports engagement to guide young athletes at the academy. Owning a karate school, she’s impacted many young lives and communities. As the youth ambassador lead, she focuses on nurturing athletes’ passion for sport and supporting their career aspirations, creating opportunities within and beyond their sport.
Zoe Woodward
CHRIS BECKETT
Chris is a teacher from Liverpool and has been training and competing in CrossFit for 6 years. He has a passion for fitness and weightlifting, which he enjoys talking to and sharing with his pupils, and thinks that physical activity, exercise and fitness is the solution to many of the problems facing education and young people at the moment. Chris enjoys writing workouts and wants to expand his knowledge of programming, joined with his existing knowledge of curriculum design.
Chris holds a Level 1 British Weightlifting Award and is hoping to complete his CrossFit level 1 in the next 12 months.
Alicia Tetley
Alicia was a Secondary School English Teacher before going into coaching. She is a qualified PT, as well as CrossFit L1and CrossFit Kids coach.
Alicia owns her own affiliate and competes nationally in CrossFit, having come 10th in the UK and 133rd in the World in the 2024 CrossFit Open.
Alicia has always advocated for sport within education, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds and passionately believes in the transformative power of sport, especially CrossFit, for the younger generation.
Hannah Nolan
Passionate about sports from a young age and holding a BSc in Sports Coaching and a PGCE in PE, I’ve inspired many to weightlift through my work and CrossFit Buntingford. With CrossFit Level 1 and Kids certifications, seeing my young athletes flourish brings me immense joy.
Rebecca Weir
DAVID SHIRLEY
David works as a secondary school English teacher, as well as CrossFit L1 Coach and lead on programming at CrossFit Talisman.
David has always had a passion for fitness and an eye for details when it comes to planning and curriculum/programme design.
When not rolling on the floor in pain post-workout, he can be found rolling around with his beloved son and pets.
Tyler Edwards
Tyler is a Sport & Exercise Psychologist in Training (SEPiT) who has worked in 15+ different contexts ranging from international to regional.
Tyler uses evidence-based practice to support those he works with in building confidence, deal with pressure and become resilient in the face of adversity.
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Meet Our Ambassadors
Hannah Wendt
Corey Duncan
Corey is a CrossFitter and National youth level olympic weightlifter. Being involved in CrossFit has had a massive impact on Corey’s life, both physically and mentally, and that is why he wants to “spread the word” by making his career in coaching. When he’s not in the gym training hard Corey likes gaming, eating and sleeping.
Pierce Gerring
Pierce is a teenage CrossFit athlete hoping to make this his career and to show that anyone is capable of achieving their dreams, he is also a CrossFit level 1 coach and wants to keep industry for as long as possible, meaning he can help others to reach for their goals and show people what they are capable of if they put the work in. Away from the gym you can find Pierce doing lots of recovery and getting himself ready for his next training session.
Molly Butcher
Molly is a CrossFit athlete and CrossFit Level One coach. She started CrossFit kids when she was 10 years old and immediately fell in love. Molly has competed at various competitions across the UK, and hopes to make this sport into a career one day. She has recently started coaching and loves helping others chase their goals and become better versions of themselves.
Connor Kemp
Isla Hill
Isla started Crossfit aged 7, by joining the Crossfit Kids programme at her local box in the North East of England. From there Isla, very quickly, made Crossfit her whole life. As soon as she was old enough she began competing in local and national competitions. At thirteen years old Isla has qualified for the Crossfit Teen Games 2024 as the youngest in her age category.
Isla now helps out as an assistant coach at the kid’s classes, offering her skills and spare time to help promote functional fitness to the children in her local area.
When Isla is not at the gym she enjoys listening to music, watching films and eating chocolate.
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