Basketball
Basketball has been involved in the Active Sports programme from the begin. Aimed at boys and girls aged 12-14 who already enjoy the sport in school and within community programmes, Active Sports aims to meet the demand for the sport that already exists by taking young people who play the game into a club and competition environment.
Active Sports Basketball will provide locally based activity, which is easily accessible and operates within a child-friendly environment.
Click here for a full report from the National Coaches conference held in Northamptonshire.
Stage One - Northamptonshire Hoopsters
Established in 2005, the Hoopsters programme aims to provide local coaching programme, in the style of a club setting, where young players can meet, play regularly and receive coaching from England Basketball qualified coaches.
As well as coaching, Hoopsters also provides the opportunity for players to take part in competitive opportunities, through things such as Youth Games, Central Venue Leagues and inter district events.
Players invovled in the Hoopsters programme will form the basis of each district's Youth Games team.
Northamptonshire Hoopsters activities:
- Further information on Stage 1 activities for September 2006 will follow.
Stage Two - Club development
This stage includes developing and setting up quality junior clubs. These clubs will be responsible for providing regular coaching, competition and social programmes so that players can continue to improve their skills and enjoy the benefits of regular competition throughout the season. Such clubs will already be working to, or towards, our Club Development Model, and be able to satisfy Active Sports' minimum standards relating to safe play and equal opportunities.
Please click here for further Club Development Information.
Stage Three - Assessment
This third stage concentrates on the most effective way of assessing the abilities of those under-13 who are participating at local level in schools and clubs and want to take their involvement with basketball further. These young people will be given the opportunity to participate in three- to five-day Sub-Partnership Development Camps early in spring.
Stage Four - Development squads
Those under-13 year olds identified at Stage Three as having ability and talent will be put into three- to five-day Partnership Camps that will run twice a year, at Easter and in July. Here they will get additional training and assessment at pre-county levels. At the end of this stage players will be recommended to clubs of appropriate standard.
Partnership Camps are scheduled to run as follows:
| Area | Age group | Who for? | Start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northamptonshire (likely to be held in Northampton) | U13s | Boys Girls | April 2007 |
For further information on opportunities to play basketball contact Northamptonshire Youth Basketball Office on (01604) 622672 or visit www.englandbasketball.co.uk