CLUB TRIALS FOR NEW UNDER-16S SIDE
Local basketball clubs Coventry Crusaders and Coventry Tornadoes are appealing for players as they start up an Under-16s Boys side for the new National League season.
Known as Coventry Elite Under-16s, the two basketball clubs are hosting trials at Cardinal Wiseman School on 1 and 2 September from 10am until 3pm on each day to find 15 boys aged 14 to 15 years-old.
The new side, lead by Coventry Tornadoes coach Paul Adams, replaces the struggling Coventry Crusaders Under-16 side in the Midlands South West Conference, and their first game is at Torbay Tigers on 1 October.
Explaining the reasoning behind the new side, Crusader Foundation director Scott Neely pointed towards the great team work between the two clubs in delivering community work. This incorporated doubling the delivery of last year’s Hoops 4 Health community programme - which educates children about health living and life skills through basketball – to 30 primary schools.
Neely, who thought up the idea of a new team and is looking for more teams to join the partnership, explained: “The Crusader Foundation began working more closely with Paul Adams and the Tornadoes last year with some community coaching: a coach education course linked with a Tornadoes player camp, and Paul being involved in the Hoops 4 Health programme.”
“I approached Paul Adams with the idea of bringing the U16s teams from Crusaders and Tornadoes together to form a stronger team as well as helping the individuals to train with the best U16s players from the Coventry area.”
“Hopefully this will be just the beginning of a stronger pathway for player development, but also for coach and officials’ development as well. We would welcome more partnership with other area basketball clubs and are discussing the possibilities for the future.”
Ten players have so far confirmed their spot. If you’re under the age of 16 as of 1 September 2011, log on to www.crusaders.co.uk to download your application form. Trials cost £3 per day.
For more information about the team and trials, email Scott Neely at scott@crusaders.co.uk