OFFICIAL BALI SBK WEBSITE

Enrollment at Bali SBK: Academic Intakes & Flexible Starts

When Your Child Can Join Our Academic Stream

Bali SBK is designed for families who live in Bali, those planning to relocate, and those visiting for short stays. We offer multiple intake points throughout the year so your child can start when it works for your family, not when the school calendar dictates.

Intake Points

Intake	For Whom	Timing
August	Full-time academy students aligned with Northern Hemisphere academic year	Start of term 3/4 in Bali; semester transition in Laurel Springs
January	Full-time academy students aligned with Southern Hemisphere academic year	Start of year for AU/NZ families; mid-year Laurel Springs continuation
February	Australian/New Zealand families transitioning from home country schools	Direct alignment with AU/NZ school year starts
Mid-Year Rolling	Families relocating to Bali, gap terms, or flexible starts	Any time — academic coursework continues seamlessly via Laurel Springs

Short stays of one week to two months are available outside these intakes for visiting players.

How Academics Work While Training

Through our partnership with Laurel Springs School, Bali SBK players follow a Cambridge-based curriculum that is recognised by the NCAA. This means:

NCAA eligibility is maintained — the coursework meets US college scholarship requirements
No academic disruption — players pick up exactly where they left off at their previous school
Tailored pacing — tutors adjust workload to fit around training schedules
Individual support — each student has access to learning coordinators for guidance

The daily academic schedule is an integral part of the program.

The Three-Year Commitment Standard

We believe that when a player commits fully to our development program for a minimum of three years, we can confidently say they are ready for the next level.

Three years means:

Consistent training (up to 10 sessions per week)
Continuous academic progress through Laurel Springs
Regular participation in mental performance coaching
Exposure to ID camps, tournaments, and scouting opportunities

As Head Coach Brandon McDonald says: “Coaches can take our players and plug them in anywhere.” But that plug-and-readiness comes from sustained work, not shortcuts.

What Parents Should Know Before Enrolling

1. The pathway is earned. Commitment matters

Manu’s selection to train with San Jose Earthquakes is proof our system works, but only for players who commit to the process. Talent alone is not enough.

2. We coach individuals, within our squad.

Every player receives an individual development plan within the squad structure. This is different from traditional team-based academies where players are blended into group training.

3. Academics are fully integrated, alongside training and recovery.

Laurel Springs coursework is built into the daily schedule. It’s part of the full-time academy experience and crucial to have a shot at scholarships.

4. Bali is transient. That’s part of why we do individual development.

Many families in Bali relocate every 1–3 years. We’ve built the program knowing that players may join for one year, three years, or stay through graduation. The “plug and play” system ensures players can enter and exit without losing developmental progress.