There are high hopes for the future of basketball in the Vale of Glamorgan after a promising start for the county’s new basketball development centre.
Set up during the winter, the development centre brings together the most talented local teenage boys to develop their potential with professional coaching in an organised set-up.
The centre was created by Andrew Leftey, the head of boys PE at St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School, and Ben Williams, the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s 5×60 manager.
Both are delighted with the early progress which has seen the Vale boys get on court to play their first competitive matches recently, while two players have caught the eye of national selectors, and it has been confirmed that even more potential basketball wizards will benefit next season as the development centre is going to extend to cater for additional age groups.
Ben Williams, who is part of the Vale Council’s sports and play development team, said: “It was great to see the boys get some well-earned game time recently when they played a few matches against Cardiff Capitols, an equivalent development centre team from Rhondda Cynon Taf, and had resounding victories over UWIC.”
“The centre currently caters for boys at under 14 and 15 level but will be extended next season so that anyone aged from year 8 up to year 11 will be able to try out for the squads at trials in the autumn. They will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of David Debono and Joseph Harland who have both done tremendously well to be selected for the Wales under 15 squad.”
The basketball development centre ties in perfectly with Ben’s 5×60 work, encouraging secondary school pupils to take part in 60 minutes of activity, five days a week.
Ben said: “The basketball development centre is a perfect example of the 5×60 scheme’s progression, where we are not only offering doorstep opportunities for young people to participate in the schools but also the opportunity to compete at a higher level.”
You can find out more about the Vale basketball development centre and the 5×60 scheme by calling Ben Williams on 07725 829801.
