Leksand, Sweden March 3, 2018

A National Center

Sweden Baseball and Softball Academy in the town of Leksand was established in August of 2006 and has since then grown in all aspects. Started off with 9 baseball players in 2006 and continued during 2012-2013 grow up to, at that time, a record number of 19 baseball players and 10 softball players. In 2017-2018, its as high as 22 baseball players and 8 softball players to a total of 30. In 2011 we hired a softball coach, in January 2013 we added our own private weight room.

In 2006 the Academy was run as a local/regional Academy with some financial restrictions, but between 2011-2017 the Swedish Academy is being recognized as a National Center with additional funding from the Sports Government, the Swedish Sports Council (Riksidrottsförbundet, RF). And since 2017 the Swedish Academy is still recognized as a National Center but with a different structure for funding.

Being a National Center makes it easier for interested and suited players to attend school and the Academy no matter were they live in Sweden. Each student get individual funding for housing, much like a scholarship for added living cost living away from home. This has made a huge difference for the Academy when it comes to recruiting, we can support and “go after” most players in the country. The school, Leksands Gymnasium, also has strong Academic Programs with most of the National Academic Programs, a very impressive achievement considering such a small school (around 600-700 students). Each student/athlete can choose whichever Academic Program they want/like and still attend the Baseball/Softball Academy.

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Year Around Program

The Academy run practice sessions through the school year. After school breaks up after spring semester in mid June, players go back to their respective club teams and their home towns. Although the Academy makes sure each returning athlete gets an in-season program to follow to make sure they are in shape when they return in late August. Each week has daily sessions, total of 8-12 sessions depending on period. A lot of times the players work out twice a day, some days 3 sessions/day. In the off-season we spend 4 sessions in the weight room, 4 sessions in the indoor batting cage and 3 sessions indoor facility (indoor tennis court). When school starts in January after Christmas break we start bullpens 1-2 sessions/week and more individual fielding work with 1 session/week.

 

 

Post-Academy/College Program

After graduating from Sweden Academy our goal is to help the student/athlete to continue combining academics and baseball/softball at the college/university level mainly at colleges and universities in the USA. Every year, Sweden Academy help bring out the Academy seniors to do a "College Tour", visiting various colleges in different spots in US. Mainly JUCO in California. In 2017 softball program went to Florida for the first time. The past few years the trip have been planned around late October/early November, a 2 week trip covering 10-12 schools. Plan is to every year try to visit a number of JUCOs, D1 and D3. Below just a selection of the schools we recently have visited. Check out all the Academy Alumni and what colleges and clubs they played at, click here.