Season off to a flyer for budding Vale basketballers

Published 08 December 2011

While basketball fans around the world eagerly wait for the NBA lockout to end, the first competitive season of fixtures for the Vale of Glamorgan Basketball Development Centre has started with a bang.

After two years of only training and playing friendly matches, last month saw budding players from the Vale take to the courts for some serious game time against their new rivals in the South Wales Valleys Basketball Association League.

The Vale Basketball Development Centre has entered two teams into the under 16s and under 18s leagues, although the Vale squads are actually comprised of under 15s and under 16s players.

Despite competing against boys who are sometimes up to two years older than them, the Vale players have more than held their own. The under 16s began with two victories on the bounce, chalking up a 90-38 home win over Baglan at the Cadoxton Sports Hall, followed by a 69-45 win away at Swansea Storm.

The under 18s got off and running with an overtime 53-50 win away against Beddau, but then suffered a 52-72 home defeat to an experienced Cardiff Capitals team that boasted three Welsh internationals in their line-up.

In a season that will run through to March, the teenagers from the Vale will also be facing other established teams such as Cardiff Magic and the RCT Gladiators.

The Development Centre was set up in 2009 by the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s sports and play development team to give local teenagers who enjoyed playing basketball casually to benefit from professional coaching.

Twenty eight players are currently on the Centre’s books, and Ben Williams, the Vale Basketball Development Centre’s Co-ordinator, said: “The boys have thrived from training in an organised set up alongside other talented players and entering into the league this season is a natural progression for them.”

“The extra competitive edge will help them to improve further” Ben added. “We already have a few boys who are in the Welsh international squads, and hopefully we will see more players selected for national honours during the season.”

Head Coach Andrew Leftley, who is also a PE teacher at St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School, said: “The players have become very focused in training and the results speak for themselves, reflecting the hard work that they have put in. Both squads are playing great basketball and stepping up to play in competitions against boys who are up to two years older than them.”

To help the Vale Basketball Development Centre continue to grow, Ben and Andrew are keen to hear from anyone aged 16 and above who would be interested in getting involved in the coaching or organisational side of the sport. To find out more, please call Ben Williams on 01446 704795.