Corvuss American Academy
Corvuss American Academy
For Students ‘On the Run’
It’s been three years for this first-of-its-kind boarding school for student athletes in the country, spread across 44 green acres in Karjat. With an all-American curriculum and nutritious menus that cater to the students’ needs, Corvuss is a school further set apart
Text: Lyle Michael Photographs: Farzana Contractor
Michael Jordan had said ‘Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just illusions’. At Corvuss American Academy, the students are taught that there are no limits and if you think there are, the well-appointed coaches will help you push past them, hit hard and be harder to beat. You graduate from this sports-oriented academy a fighter, if nothing else, equipped in one sport, possibly a future Nadal or Phelps, Ronaldo or Jordan… Why not!
Anything is achievable at Corvuss, say the folks behind it. Preeti Maria serves as the Director of the academy, overseeing all the facilities, while her husband, super cop, former police commissioner, Rakesh Maria serves as a trustee. Their son, Kunal is the visionary behind it – being a sportsman himself, having played national level basketball – and functions as the CEO with the able support of his wife, Deeksha, who acts as the CFO.
As we take a walk around the grounds of Corvuss, we see words like Responsibility, Ambition, Perseverance, Nurturing, Independence, Integrity, Support, Respect, Ethics, Potential adorn the walls of the main school which is one of the many buildings that sit upon the 44-acre property in Karjat, with several faculties to cater to every student athlete in search of an all-round American-style education and development. The dorms for the girls and boys are housed in two other buildings respectively, all air-conditioned and well-maintained, with around three to four students per room.
The focus at Corvuss is on one sport. Every student comes in with their area of interest which could very well change by the time they’re ready to graduate from high school (Grade 9-12). Students come in at the middle school level (Grade 6-8) and are all set for higher education in the US, bred with the science and practicality of a sport to carry them forward – which is the way of the American school and college system.
The six coaches who form the backbone of this sports-oriented system here at Corvuss in India come from diverse fields and backgrounds, and countries, each nurturing their respective students to flourish to the best of their abilities and identify the same from a young age itself. It could be swimming for someone who thinks he’s only meant to be shooting hoops as he’s 6 ft. Or it could be track and field for someone who’s come from a tennis-playing family. The coaches got your back, at Corvuss. And what a jolly bunch they are, robust men with hearts full of love for their work, for the students they are helping shape into victorious men and women.
Here's the line-up to get you acquainted: Erik Grevenstein – swimming; Ryan Horn – tennis; Paul Neary – football; Jeffery Love – track & field; Joe Abunassar – Basketball; Mido Favaz – squash. Nutrition forms the key in any individual’s life, much more so in a sportsperson’s. So, you have Apurva Surve – an IOC Sports Nutritionist in charge of the meals that are served to all – students and faculty on campus – at the spacious canteen area. The menus are neatly laid out each day, for all mealtimes, with veg and non-veg options to choose from – simple and nutritious. And you also have Shivani Sahanie who takes care of the physical therapy of the students at Corvuss. An all-round team in place for the 360-degree growth of a student athlete is essential, inclusive of a stellar academic faculty, led by Larry Savery – Head of Academy since over a year now, and career counsellor, Latoiya Pascua to best guide the young minds set to fly off to pursue the American dream.
It all began when Larry – a visionary educator who has years of experience taking the American curriculum out of the US to countries like the UAE and now, India – met with Kunal in the US and was instantly attracted by the potential that India has for such a curriculum. He recalls, “I knew we could tap into the flexibility that the American curriculum possesses to nurture student athletes here in India. India, with its population of 1.4 billion as opposed to the US, at 330 million. The American curriculum lends itself to student athletes whereas the Indian curriculum – which is academically advanced – does not give space to students post the 12th grade to pursue sports as a potential career path, forces them to give it up actually.”
What the current 53 students at Corvuss get in return is an elite sports training alongside international academic training. One in which they can transfer their credits when they go abroad to study at the university level. What they get are life skills that are transferrable, acquired and honed across a range of sports with the best of facilities at their disposal. State-of-the-art! Like an Olympic-size swimming pool, a FIFA standard turf football field, indoor basketball courts, two outdoor and one indoor hard tennis court, Olympic size all-weather synthetic track for athletics and squash courts that offer students the perfect mobility. Video recordings of their performances and coaching reviews along with gym facilities to build the body and stamina are all in place at Corvuss leaving students lacking for nought when they’re out of the classroom and onto the field.
Eric, the gregarious swim coach from Cape Town, SA, with 20 years of international experience in swimming, explains it best with the talent ID model used to identify the overall needs and ability of the child to help them understand just what is required of them in the course. “There is a science behind it,” Eric begins. “With swimming, for instance, it is not just about the body type, but about the mental and emotional ability of the child. It is about the coachability of the student. A swimmer with a shorter body type defies science but that does not mean they can’t be great swimmers, with the right guidance and training.” It's all about HEART, he says: H for hard work, E for effort, A for attitude, R for resilience and T for Talent.
Size does not matter, we learn, from Paul the UEFA qualified football coach from England, with 28 years of international experience and 18 in the Air Force! With the example of a kid named Jay, he shared how his small stature prevented him from getting selected in the district level matches but he is the team’s star player today. He will have to learn how to deal with the big guy, Paul says, but Jay is fierce on the field. “It is about the individual journeys of each child. I believe in the overall ability of the student athlete, not just as a footballer. Take for instance, laps in the pool help them relax and track & field builds stamina.”
Ryan, the tennis coach from South Africa, who’s been at Corvuss the longest, has travelled to 58 countries and served as a professional tennis player and director, seconds Paul when he says that we need to identify and harness the talent of each student through cross-sport development. “I had a kid who came in wanting to play football but he’s now a tennis player. They come in with their specialities in sports but it can very easily change over time.”
Larry chimes in here with the example of a girl whose main sport is swimming but the parents realise her needs could change as she grows. “So we train them in all sports and move in from a broad to a limited range, they then realise where their strength lies. It is all about fun, learning, discipline and training, at Corvuss.” You will find your niche in one of the coaches, he guarantees.
Jeffery, the tallest and quietest of them all, has served in the US Navy for 22 years and is himself a three-sport player – basketball, football and track & field. Which is why it comes easy to him when he says, “All American
sportstars are multi-players. Take a look at Michael Jordan, he’s an all-rounder, too.” He goes on to add that Corvuss has the right resources and support system for students. It’s amazing what they offer, where you get the support of both, teachers and coaches.
Erik, who appears to have had the most say in the conversation, shares that sports is truly a life skill and at Corvuss, it is harnessed to the max. Water safety, for instance, is extremely important, that’s what you learn first, before swimming. So, swimming is for every student to overcome their fear and be safe in the water. “Aryan, a 12-year-old boy was petrified of the water but after three to four lessons, he began to teach another student.”
Therein lies the beauty of a sport, a life lesson that teaches you the importance of loss and how it runs parallel to victory. Sport makes you a team player and a fighter, a winner above all.
Corvuss American Academy
Karjat Murbad Road, Wadawali,
Karjat 410201. Mob: 0 93721 80715
Visit: www.corvuss.in