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Athletics

Introducing Roycemore's Athletic Director:

Nipheannaboth "Both" Long

Following a comprehensive search with candidates from around the country and the world, Nipheannaboth “Both” Long has been named Roycemore’s next Athletic Director. Both received his B.A. from Boston College and also studied at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain and the Universidad Catolica Argentina in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Fluent in Khmer and Spanish, Both was recognized as a member of the United States Soccer Coaches “30 Under 30” in 2018.  Both recently worked in the Athletic Department at Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill, MA, where he has also taught Spanish. At Beaver Country Day, Both designed and led Advanced Spanish courses studying Latin American Social Movements.  Students extended their learning through projects they created and through multiple guest speakers that led to a dynamic classroom environment. Prior to Beaver Country Day, Both worked at St. Mark’s School in Southborough, MA where he taught Spanish, served as the Associate Director of Diversity and coached soccer and basketball. Additional experience includes serving as the Assistant Coach  and Director of Education for The Technical Institute in Houston, where he designed and taught training curriculum and supervised staff coaches for the Women’s Premier Soccer League. 

Both also previously served as Director of Operations and Residential Director at Arsenal Soccer Schools, NY, and F.C. Barcelona Escola Soccer Camps, London England. In addition to coaching, Both’s interests include yoga, rock climbing, reading, spinning, cooking and functional fitness.  Currently, Both is in the process of completing certification with Positive Coaching Alliance as a trainer for coaches, parents, organizational leaders, and sports organizations. This is a nationwide organization that is invested in empowering coach educators to change the culture of youth athletics in the country. 
 
Upon learning of his appointment Both wrote, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join the Roycemore team! When I visited campus I was so moved by the entire community’s dedication to individualizing a holistic learning experience; Roycemore is a fantastic learning environment to develop young minds and inspire future leaders. I look forward to honoring Roycemore’s legacy and contribute to an exciting future for the students and athletes.”  As a graduate of independent schools himself, including the Fenn School and then Middlesex School in Concord, MA, Both states that “gratitude for my life changing academic experiences fuels my desire to help students become strong students, athletes, self advocates, and leaders.”
 
Both will be joining Roycemore this summer and will work with Dea Beaugrand in summer camp as Assistant Director, before taking the reins next year as Director. Dea will support Both to take over the leadership of a summer camp program that she initially developed forty-seven years ago. Both will also benefit from Rob Linkhart’s long tenure as Athletic Director as he will continue to serve Roycemore as a part-time Physical Education teacher. In addition to Athletic Director and Camp oversight, Both will also teach Physical Education and some Spanish as well as coach soccer. We are thrilled to welcome Both Long to our Roycemore community!

Celebrating Community and Skill

The Athletic Department at Roycemore helps the school celebrate individuality and inspires excellence by:

  • Emphasizing student participation in athletic programs over competing at the highest level possible
  • Seeking to bring out the best qualities in each child as a person of character and an athlete, regardless of skill level while being challenging
  • Encouraging a focus on individual growth, rather than on a win-at-all-costs attitude
  • Establishing sportsmanship, character development, a positive attitude, and teamwork as the top priorities for all Roycemore athletes
  • Modeling goal-setting and planning as important life skills beyond the court or field
  • Promoting the benefits of a strong work ethic and sound preparation and practice habits
  • Providing opportunities for more advanced competition for students with advanced skills
  • Instilling in all students a life-long appreciation of the benefits of exercise and the important role physical activity plays in determining the quality of life

Athletics for the 2020-2021 School Year

Roycemore School successfully launched “in house” athletic programming for Middle and Upper School students during the Fall of 2020. However, with the changing status of the COVID-19 pandemic, all athletic programming has been suspended until further notice. Please view this statement from Athletic Director, Both Long, for more details. 

 

How To Participate?

Roycemore offers the following interscholastic teams:

  • Soccer – coed, both Middle & Upper Schools
  • Volleyball – girls, Middle & Upper Schools; boys, Upper School only
  • Cross Country – coed, Lower, Middle & Upper Schools
  • Basketball – boys & girls teams, Middle & Upper Schools

Any Roycemore student in Grades 5 through 12 can participate in interscholastic athletics regardless of skill level. Participation is given a higher priority than competing to win at all grade levels, but competing to win does take on increased focus as the participants become older.

Fall Athletic Programing

Roycemore School successfully launched “in house” athletic programming for Middle and Upper School students during the Fall of 2020. However, with the changing status of the COVID-19 pandemic, all athletic programming has been suspended until further notice.

Middle School Cross Country

We are excited to welcome the Fall season with familiarity. While we are not competing in meets, our Cross Country program will allow our athletes to foster their love for the sport.

Upper School Cross Country

We are excited to welcome the Fall season with familiarity. While we are not competing in meets, our Cross Country program will allow our athletes to foster their love for the sport.

Upper School E-Sports

The E-Sports team will compete against other E-Sports teams all around Illinois and the U.S.
– Mario Kart
– Super Smash Bro’s Ultimate
– Minecraft
– Rocket League
– League of Legends

Upper School Intramural / Rec Sports

The athletic experience in the Intramural Sports program will respect the current Covid-19 health and safety guidelines. Our sports programming is committed to providing engaging, no contact / socially distanced activities for our students.

Upper School Ping Pong

The athletic experience in the Ping Pong program will respect the current Covid-19 health and safety guidelines. Athletes are socially distant when playing Ping Pong.

Middle School Soccer

The athletic experience in the Soccer program will respect the current Covid-19 health and safety guidelines. We will modify and adjust the intramural practice experience to gear towards the technical skills and general fitness of the sport.

Upper School Soccer

The athletic experience in the Soccer program will respect the current Covid-19 health and safety guidelines. We will modify and adjust the intramural practice experience to gear towards the technical skills and general fitness of the sport.

Girls Middle School Volleyball

The athletic experience in the Volleyball program will respect the current Covid-19 health and safety guidelines. We will modify and adjust the intramural practice experience to gear towards the technical skills and general fitness of the sport.

Girls Upper School Volleyball

The athletic experience in the Volleyball program will respect the current Covid-19 health and safety guidelines. We will modify and adjust the intramural practice experience to gear towards the technical skills and general fitness of the sport.

Winter and Spring Sports

Upper School Girls Basketball

Check back later for winter season updates.

Upper School Boys Basketball

Check back later for winter season updates.

Middle School Boys Basketball

Check back later for winter season updates.

Middle School Girls Basketball

Check back later for winter season updates.

Roycemore adopts the Athletico Concussion Policy

Learn More

Upcoming Athletic Events

 

There are no interscholastic competitions for Fall 2020. Roycemore is monitoring all updates to the return to play guidelines and will provide further updates after the Fall season closes.

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