SOUTH WEST MARCH/2014 REGIONAL NEWSLETTER

WELCOME Welcome to the second edition of the South

West Basketball Newsletter. I hope it helps you to keep up to date with basketball in the region. We hope to publish this more regularly. However this, and the overall effectiveness of the newsletter depends largely on you. There are lots of great things happening which few people get to know about, so please send any informative articles for publication to Chris.

If basketball is to develop, even on a very local level, it is crucial that we work together more on a regional basis. Basketball, with a new Board and Leicester were crowned champions in front of a Chief Executive, will be following new strategies 9,000 strong crowd aimed at encouraging increased participation, with products and incentives for clubs to bring new people into the game. SW OFFICIALS REPRESENT IN BBL CUP FINAL On a different note, we have noticed that the The South West was well represented in provision of courses for current and potential table the BBL Cup final with 2 of the 4 table officials officials, coaches and referees is patchy, and this can prove a discouragement to those who cannot find a coming from the area. Bristol based Jen Provis suitable course close to home or when they need it. and Taunton based Michelle Ferris were Let us know about your local demand, and we will try selected for the first BBL final of the season. to get something organised to suit. Jen and Michelle officiated the showpiece event, held at ’s NIA Arena in front of a 9,000 strong crowd. In one of the most Finally, do you know of young players (currently boys exciting finals in recent memory, the Leicester and girls born 1997-2002) who may be good enough Riders, who trailed for most of the game, to represent the region? If so, let us know, to ensure secured a nail-biting 72-69 victory over they get the opportunity to test their skills with the perennial powerhouse . best in the South West. Speaking about the prestigious nomination Michelle said, “it was an honour to be asked to Paul Christensen, Chairman officiate at such a prestigious game, and a wonderful experience”. Office: +44 14 52 61 13 20 Well done to both of you! Mobile: +44 77 72 20 55 01

Enjoy the newsletter!

Paul Christensen, Chairman NEWS MARCH/2013

PLYMOUTH OFFICIAL WINS TWO PRESTIGIOUS

AWARDS ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY table official Joe Peard has recently been awarded two prestigious awards for his commitment to his officiating. In September 2013 Joe received the Bill Taylor, Table Official of the year award from England Basketball. Joe was nominated for not only his commitment to the game but his inspirational triumph over adversity. At aged 13 Joe had to give up playing basketball after being diagnosed with a serious heart condition. He did not let this dampen his spirits and he stayed a part of the game by qualifying as a level 2 Table Official in March 2011. After only 9 months Joe JOE BEING PRESENTED WITH HIS ENGLAND passed the level 3 award, the highest in the country. BASKETBALL TABLE OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR AWARD AT A GAME. Despite his health degenerating Joe continued to be active as an official and even officiated just days after coming out of operations. Last summer Joe finally received his transplant and is now making a great recovery and has just started playing again. Joe also stepped up to the BBL this season and has officiated several games in Britain’s top league so far this season. In January Joe received a second award, the Plymouth Herald Official of the Year Award beating out stiff competition.

Speaking of the Herald event Joe said, “It was an honour just to get nominated for an award at such a prestigious event like the herald sports awards, but to win the award made me feel great pride and success in all the things that I have been through”.

JOE PICTURED AT THE PLYMOUTH HERALD SPORTS Well done Joe! PERSONALITY AWARDS WITH HIS WINNERS MEMENTO. ALSO PICTURED ARE NOMINEES FROM PLYMOUTH MARJON.

OTHER

NEWS

NATIONAL SQUAD SELECTIONS Bristol Record Historic Win Congratulations to the following players who represented South West at the Regional Development Tournaments in the summer, Bristol Academy Flyers recorded a historic win in and were subsequently selected for the initial England national the BBL Trophy defeating BBL side Surrey Heat 91- training squads: 78 in the first round. Bristol, who play in EBL Division 1 were Pip Armitage, Layla Hall, Emily Short, Katie Tranter (U17/U18 Girls) underdogs based on the fact they play one league below the Guildford based outfit. Tom Elliott-Smith, Deane Williams (U18 Men) Flyers had an impressive start, which saw them open up an early double-digit lead 19-6 after just five Maggie Gilbert (U16 Girls) minutes thanks to a big three-pointer from Roy Owen. It wasn’t until late in the second quarter that Ashley Hall (U16 Boys) United finally managed to get a foothold in the contest, who were led by Lithuanian big man Holly Wright, Poppy Williams (U15 girls) Ceslovas Kucinskas, who finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds. All these players have done tremendously well to reach this stage, and hopefully some will go on to represent England at the Surrey managed to close the gap to just one point in FIBA European Championships next summer. the third quarter at 48-47. However, some big shots from Spencer Wells and England under-18 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM international Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye led the team COACHING/MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES to amass 28 points in the final quarter and coast to a fine victory 91-78.Ogunleye lead the team with 19 The Head Coaches for this year’s Regional Development Teams points and 8 rebounds, whilst Bristol’s American (at U13, U15 and U17 levels, girls and boys) are about to be signing Doug McLaughlin-Williams had a 15 point, 8 appointed. A number of opportunities remain for Team Managers rebound, and 7 assist near ‘triple-double’. and Assistant Coaches. This is an excellent chance to join the Performance Coach Pathway. They are volunteer positions, but Unfortunately Flyers were defeated in the quarter travel expenses are paid, and coaching clinics are provided free final by high flyers Cheshire Jets 85 – 56. of charge by England Basketball. These positions are open to enthusiastic coaches and manners at all levels of experience.

Details from Paul Christensen [email protected] 01452 611320

U13 Regional Training and Tryouts:

U13 GIRLS (born 2001 and 2002) -Uffculme School, Chapel Hill, Uffculme EX15 3AG Saturday 29 March 1100-1600

U13 BOYS (born 2001 and 2002) -Westonbirt Sports & Leisure, Bowldown Road, Westonbirt GL8 8QG Sunday 16 March 1100-1600 -Churston Ferrers Grammar School, Galmpton, Brixham TQ5 0LN Sunday 23 March 1100-1600

REGIONAL PERFORMANCE CENTRE

The RPC is England Basketball’s Player Development Programme. Within the South West region, it currently caters for 26 girls (born 1998-2000) and 38 boys (born SOUTH WEST 1999-2000). There is a nationally set programme which focuses on REGIONAL LEAGUE individual fundamentals, and this is delivered over a series of 8 whole day sessions (5 hours on court) from TABLES October to May. Players also receive guidance on topics such as the rules, nutrition, injury management and future basketball opportunities. They are tested every two months and results compared to those of RPC members nationwide. A total of 9 regional staff is appointed to manage and deliver the programme, with the help of specialists and occasional guest coaches. National U15 Development Squad coaches are also present from time to time. The remaining sessions will be held on January 26, March 2, April 6 and 27, May 11. Club coaches are always welcome to observe. Players and their club coaches receive copies of the session plans after each RPC, for information, and so that the players may continue to work on the skills included in the practice. Players in the year groups mentioned above, who wish to be considered for the U15 Regional Development Teams (U17 for girls born in 1998) are expected to attend the RPC. It is therefore crucial that any new players, plus any that improve sufficiently to be considered, are recommended as soon as possible by their club. We would still be interested to talk to coaches who would like to be involved in the girls’ programme. These could be experienced coaches, or relatively new colleagues who are keen to develop their own skills through working in the Performance Pathway. There is no requirement to be coaching girls currently: coaches of boys or adults would be equally welcome!

For further details, please contact the RPC Coordinator,

Paul Christensen [email protected]

01452 611320

OFFICIATING

NEWS

Tournament organiser Darren Bolt tells The tournament is instrumental in being able to us how the tournament has developed facilitate development of table officials in our over recent years region and this year will hold a level 3 course for those interested in officiating at the top level in

the UK. The tournament can boast of having the The Best of the West Tournament began in the privilege of using table officials who have summer of 2011 in an effort to provide an end of officiated at the highest level season competition for the teams who finished top internationally, including the Olympics and Euro- of their respective local leagues. The winner of the League Finals in London. The feedback received inaugural tournament was Torbay Tigers of the year on year is testament to those who give their Exeter and District League. The event has been time to ensure it runs smoothly. Without their won for the last two years by Bridgwater Bucs of the help and support it could not function properly Somerset League. The tournament is now a and they know who they are without me regularly anticipated event and is competed over a embarrassing them. weekend in Exeter and played out by teams from local leagues in Plymouth, Exeter, Somerset, Moreover, this tournament has the ability to bring WEBBA and the Gloucester league. The quality of those who love the game of basketball together. the competition appears to get better each year. It is more than just competition and has become The competition has been fully embraced and a great social event for referees, table officials supported by the committees within these leagues and players alike. This is a tournament which and the South West Regional Committee. appears to be a blueprint for others,

since London will be holding their own version Each team will play each other once during the this summer. We should be proud of what we weekend meaning two games each on Saturday have achieved and ensure its continued success. and Sunday.

The event is also used to provide a good quality clinic to local referees in a three man system to compliment the games over the weekend. The clinic uses FIBA referees, commissioners and instructors to share their experiences and knowledge using presentations and provides real time feedback during and after games. Such is the credibility of the tournament and clinic after such a short period of time that numbers have to be restricted. The clinic is open to officials of all abilities and is designed to promote opportunity, knowledge and experience. The success of the clinic is clear with many of those who have attended now regularly officiating in the Referees, Table Officials and Instructors National League top divisions. More importantly, at the Best of the West Tournament 2012 these officials are now beginning to pass on the knowledge they've gained to others in our region.

For Your Information

March/2014

Links Basketball Organisations General Links Officiating

FIBA World UK Sport FIBA Officiating FIBA Officiating FIBA Europe Sport England

Referee Club British Basketball Sportsmatch

Scania Cup Referee Camp British Wheelchair Basketball English Institute of Sport

Can Do Basketball Basketball Scotland BUCS

Referee.PL Camp Basketball SportsAid

England Basketball British Basketball League Clubmark

British Basketball Union FIBATV.com NBA Officiating

NBA

Euroleague

Basketball Coaches Association UK Basketball Websites

Midnight Madness Hoopsfix

Deaf Basketball UK MVP

TECHNICAL COURSES

Level 3 Table Course- Exeter

Contact: Chris Chapman, [email protected] Or Claire Anderson, [email protected] Date: 16th/17th/18th May

Keep an eye on the England Basketball Website (courses calendar link below) for more courses.

England Basketball Courses Calendar