Silver medals from Finnish trip for young basketball talents

TWO Hinckley youngsters travelled to Finland to take part in a basketball competition and came away with silver medals.

William Thorne and Shanahan Rai were part of the 21-strong team from Leicestershire and Rutland who travelled to Delfin Basketball Tournament with Ball4all Basketball CIC.

There were three teams from the area entered in the competition, with two Under-16 squads and one Under-18 team.

The tournament was in a knockout format, with the Under-18 team winning five of their six games before being narrowly defeated in the final.

Both teams received funding for their trip for Northamptonshire-based charity The Travers Foundation, which helps 13 to 30-year- olds living in Northamptonshire, Rutland or Leicestershire improve their skills in sports, the creative and the performing arts.

John Smith, Ball4All’s coach and former professional basketball players, said: “The funding from the Travers Foundation has show these kids that they can play against any competition, and the experience has let them try different things, meet people from other countries and building their confidence.

“Being part of a team helps them with self-discipline, self-control and respect.”

Terry Forsey, of the Travers Foundation said: “We are delighted that John and his team have achieved a silver medal at the recent tournament in Finland. Ball4All provides basketball coaching sessions for clubs throughout Leicestershire and Rutland for children and young people of all backgrounds, including some very disadvantaged.

“We at the Travers Foundation firmly believe that funding shouldn’t be a barrier to youngsters achieving success, which is why we support groups such as this and will continue to do so.”

For further information on the work of the Travers Foundation visit www.travers-foundation.org.uk